Best Children’s Books I read in 2018: from Mia Macrossan
Choosing the best books from a year is always difficult as it is impossible to keep the list short. I have cheated a little and chosen favourite authors who have produced work that has given so much pleasure to so
Best children’s books I read in 2018: from Dimity Powell
Dimity Powell is a children's author who recently published At the End of Holyrood Lane. This is super hard btw but here are my attempts at narrowing things down – not something that I’m naturally good at! (You’ll note, I’ve blatantly
Best children’s books I read in 2018: from Jenny Stubbs
StoryLinks asked authors, reviewers and people involved in the children's literature world for their three favourites from 2018. This selection is from Jenny Stubbs, the President of Book Links. Lenny's Book of Everything by Karen Foxlee. This beautifully written story of Lenny
Secrets of a Sun King
by Emma Carroll reviewed by Tyrion Perkins The cover immediately attracted me: children on camels in front of the Nile and desert, with a pharaoh on the back, set up the expectation of mystery, travel, and adventure. Secrets of a Sun King
Leaving the Lyrebird Forest
written by Gary Crew illustrated by Julian Laffan reviewed by Yvonne Mes Pondering a future beyond the forest, Alice a young girl, befriends a lyrebird and the elderly widower nearby. Alice is an independent and confident girl, who we follow from the age
Learn with Ruby Red Shoes
Learn with Ruby Red Shoes: Counting Book Learn with Ruby Red Shoes: Alphabet Book written and illustrated by Kate Knapp Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Ruby Red Shoes is the creation of Australian author and illustrator, Kate Knapp who here has expanded her successful series
StoryLinks interviews Debbie Smith, winner of the 2018 StoryLinks Short Story Competition
Debbie spoke to Mia Macrossan about her writing life. Why do write children's stories? Do you write any other kinds of stories? What kind of stories do you write - do you write for a particular age group or do you
WINNER of the 2018 StoryLinks Short Story Competition
Tuck Shop Takeover by Combat Dad By Debbie Smith “The school is looking for tuck shop ladies, I mean helpers. Maybe you should sign up?” Mum tells Dad. “Shesh!” I blurt. Mum and Dad both turn to look at me. “What?” Mum shrugs her shoulders and
The Brave Knight
Written by Sally Gould Illustrated by Celeste Hulme Reviewed by Zewlan Moor This is an ideal book for toddlers and preschoolers. Indeed, its theme ties into the Being, Belonging and Becoming of the Early Years Learning Framework. On the very first page,
Sweet Adversity
by Sheryl Gwyther Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Sweet Adversity is a historical fiction novel for children aged 10+. It is refreshing to see a story set in Depression-era Australia that centres around a strong-willed protagonist reminiscent of Anne of Green Gables. Not
The Story of Eva Carmichael: The Wreck of the Loch Ard
by Gary Crew illustrated by Paul O'Sullivan reviewed by Lucy McGinley I was captivated by the tumultuous true story of Eva Carmichael, as retold by Gary Crew. This historical illustrated story is based on the experiences of the sole female survivor of the
Amal Unbound
by Aisha Saeed reviewed by Lucy McGinley This moving story centres on a brave young Indian girl who dreams of becoming a teacher. One day her bravery brings her to the attention of the corrupt local landlord. In the simple act of
Lenny’s Book of Everything
by Karen Foxlee reviewed by Mia Macrossan Karen Foxlee says that story writing is about creating a world, breathing characters to life and enticing readers on a journey’. In LENNY’S BOOK OF EVERYTHING, her new book for younger readers she has succeeded
Impostors
by Scott Westerfeld reviewed by Dajo Finlayson Set in a post- apocalyptic world full of advanced military technology, power struggles, dictatorships, and the ever-present threat of treachery, this novel is the first book in a new, four- part series which presents us
Zenobia
written by Morten Dűrr illustrated by Lars Horneman reviewed by Mia Macrossan This stunning graphic novel is remarkable for its cinematic treatment of a sensitive topic. It tells the story of a refugee through minimal text and many wordless images, conveying a wealth of
At The End of Holyrood Lane
By Dimity Powell Illustrated by Nicky Johnston Reviewed by Maria Parenti-Baldey At The End of Holyrood Lane is more than a picture book about a young girl being frightened of storms. It’s a book about the frightening stormy reality of domestic violence. The inside
The Mulberry Tree
by Allison Rushby reviewed by Rebecca Sheraton This fantastic middle grade novel will appeal to many 8 - 12 year old readers. A mulberry tree haunts a tiny English village in Cambridgeshire where locals believe the tree has stolen two eleven- year -old
The Pyramid Puzzle Starring Olive Black
by Alex Miles illustrated by Maude Guesne reviewed by Tyrion Perkins When I first picked up this book with its yellow picture of camels, pyramids and, girl in Cleopatra style costume, I thought it was going to be a mystery set in ancient
Beware the Deep Dark Forest
by Sue Whiting illustrated by Annie White reviewed by Peter Taylor The warmth of Annie White’s delicious artwork and the unusual hand-drawn font used on the cover of Beware the Deep Dark Forrest instantly persuade us to explore the treescape within. Progressing through
Amelia Fang and the Unicorn Lords #2 Amelia Fang series
Written and illustrated by Laura Ellen Anderson Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Meet Amelia Fang, a sparky little vampire in a dark and gloomy world … or is it? With a spider, webs and a smiling Amelia Fang in scratchy black cartoons , the
Mr Pegg’s Post
Written and illustrated by Elena Topouzoglou Reviewed by Luise Manning Anna is an only child who lives with her parents in a lighthouse on a tiny island off the Mediterranean coast. Whilst living in a lighthouse might sound exciting, it wasn’t. Anna
Amelia Westlake
written by Erin Gough reviewed by Tyrion Perkins One of the best books I’ve read this year. I jumped at the chance to review Erin Gough’s second novel after enjoying The Flywheel. In that, the character spent most of her time working in
Brindabella
Written by Ursula Dubosarsky Illustrated by Andrew Joyner Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Brindabella is a gentle story about friendship, death, loneliness and the harsh realities of the bush. It is thematically reminiscent of Fox by Margaret Wild and Ron Brooks, also from Allen
Animal Rights Reading List
Animal rights is a perennial topic studied in schools throughout Australia. Teacher Librarian Dajo Finlayson has prepared a reading list of novels that will provide a sound basis for developing awareness of this always current always relevant subject. Now available
At the End of Holyrood Lane
Written by Dimity Powell Illustrated by Nicky Johnston Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This quietly powerful story is an extended metaphor about domestic violence in a child’s life. Flick’s life is calm, pleasant and full of play except when unpredictable storms occur which turn her
Funny Kid #3 Prank Wars
Written and illustrated by Matt Stanton Reviewed by Lyn Halliday Stanton’s third book in the Funny Kid series grabs you from the first page and doesn’t let go, taking you on a hilarious journey inside 11-year-old Max Walburt’s head — who really
Fart Monster and Me #1 & #2
By Tim Miller and Matt Stanton Reviewed by Lyn Halliday Just when you thought there was no more room in the bookstores for another fart book…. There’s another fart book. Actually, a series of them. Duo Tim Miller and Matt Stanton have teamed
Lucia and Lawrence
written and illustrated by Joanna Francis Reviewed by Justine Lawson This is an accomplished debut picture book for Joanna Francis, an artist and art teacher who lives in New South Wales, Australia. Lucia and Lawrence are neighbours – a girl and a
Leave Taking
by Lorraine Marwood illustrated by Peter Carnavas reviewed by Danielle Freeland Lorraine Marwood has delivered something very special in this verse novel. When Toby’s parents decide to pack up and leave their family’s farm to start again after the death of their only daughter,
Fairytales for Feisty Girls
by Susannah McFarlane featuring artwork from four Australian illustrators: Beth Norling, Claire Robertson, Lucinda Gifford and Sher Rill Ng reviewed by Sue Wright The success of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Cavallari and Favilli triggered a welcome focus on stories which increase the visibility
