The Mirror Visitor #1 A Winter’s Promise
Written by Christelle Dabos Translated by Hildegarde Serle Reviewed by Sue Wright I’ve been reading a lot of novellas and short stories lately, so I approached Christelle Dabos’ 490 page A Winter’s Promise with all the enthusiasm of a reader with a preference
The Lost Book of Adventure
edited by Teddy Keen reviewed by Mia Macrossan The Lost Book of Adventure – what a marvellous title - purports to be ‘from the notebooks of the Unknown Adventurer’, a person who traveled the globe and had spent most of his time
Malaysian Picture Books – a snapshot
Malaysian Picture Books by Inda Ahmad Zabri Growing up, I read books in my native tongue, Malay or Bahasa Melayu, as well as English. Eventually, it was English literature that I fell in love with, but my search for Malay
Waiting for Chicken Smith
Written and illustrated by David Mackintosh Reviewed by Katrin Dreiling Ever since I stumbled upon David Mackintosh’s What’s up MuMu? at the library, I am a massive fan. His style of illustrating and telling the story is so quirky that you are
The Valentines: Happy Girl Lucky
By Holly Smale Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Happy Girl Lucky, is the first in the new romantic-comedy series The Valentines by Holly Smale, author of the bestselling and critically acclaimed Geek Girl books. It is a book that is lots of bubbly
The Adventures of Jellybean
Written by Bill Condon and Dianne Bates Illustrated by Lucia Masciullo Reviewed by Rebecca Sheraton Co-authors Bill Condon and Dianne Bates have written a delightful early chapter book for ages 6 and above, published by the University of Queensland Press. Eight-year-old best friends, Rory
Maya & Cat
Written and illustrated by Caroline Magerl Reviewed by Mia Macrossan A new picture book by local artist and writer Caroline Magerl is always an event. Maya & Cat is a quirky imaginative tale about a girl who sees a cat sitting on
The Things That Will Not Stand
Written by Michael Gerard Bauer Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The latest offering from Brisbane author is a great read for teenagers especially those still trying to work out what relationships are all about. The main character Seb, a year 11 student, is
Unpacking Harper Holt
Written by Di Walker Reviewed by Margie McKay-Lowndes In this emotive coming of age story, set in a picturesque beach-side suburb of Melbourne, Di Walker’s debut novel presents a story of hope in the face of unimaginable grief and loss. The Holts - Mum,
Marvin and Marigold: A Stormy Night
Written by Mark Carthew Illustrated by Simon Prescott Reviewed by Yvonne Mes If you have young children, you know what a panic it can cause if there is a sudden loss of power and everyone is left in the dark! Marigold is scared, it
The Dog Who Saved The World
written by Ross Welford reviewed by Mia Macrossan Best friends Georgie and Ramzy while at their local beach meet an interesting woman Dr Pretorius, who invites them up to her laboratory to trial her experimental virtual reality set up. Despite initial misgivings
Quick, Barney, Run!
Written by Pip Jones Illustrated by Laura Hughes Reviewed by Andrea Wilson Can you remember being stuck inside on a rainy day as a child? With themes of cooperation and problem solving, Quick, Barney, Run! is a picture book told from a
Thimble
Written by Rebecca Young Illustrated by Tull Suwannakit Reviewed by Andrea Wilson Losing a loved one is difficult, especially for young children. Thimble addresses the theme of death in a delicate and comforting way. Thimble is a picture book about a little
Best Children’s Books I read in 2018: from Inda Ahmad Zabri
My 3 top books for 2018 - so hard to choose! 𝗟𝗲𝗻𝗻𝘆'𝘀 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 by Karen Foxlee Lenny lives with her mother and younger brother Davey, a boy who lights up the room and will not stop growing. Lenny and Davey
Best Children’s Books in 2018: from Maria Popova
https://mailchi.mp/brainpickings/best-childrens-books-2018?e=2db4897516 Maria Popova has chosen some of the loveliest books published this year. She says great children’s books transcend both age and time and here is a collection to browse through and enjoy. Your bookshop or local public library can help you
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
