The Mosaic
By Deborah Kelly & Nicky Johnston Reviewed by Margarite Igras This book was inspired by the award-winning author’s personal experience of separation from her husband and the ensuing conversations she had with her children. It is a fresh and positive perspective of
Into the Ice: Reflections on Antarctica
By Alison Lester and Coral Tulloch Reviewed by Margaret Mckay-Lowndes These reflections are the culmination of the creators' many journeys, either as Arts Fellows with the Australian Antarctic Division or as artists in residence on tourist ships. The experiences related in this
Inkheart 4: The Colour of Revenge
By Cornelia Funke Reviewed by Helen Gearing With over twenty-five million copies of her books sold worldwide, Cornelia Funke is one of Germany's most celebrated children's authors. ‘The Colour of Revenge,’ exquisitely translated into English by Anna Achmitt Funke (Cornelia Funke’s daughter)
Meerkat Mayhem
By Mem Fox and Judy Horacek Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Meerkat Mayhem is the latest from longtime collaborators Mem Fox and Judy Horacek. It is in the tradition of ‘chain tales’, like The Gigantic Turnip, which has appeared in myriad
Why I Love Christmas
By Michael Wagner & Tom Jellett Reviewed by Meg Rowe From the CBCA Honor Award winning team that brought us Dirt by Sea, Michael Wagner and Tom Jellett, join forces again with Why I Love Christmas, a fun, festive picture book, that
Brielle and Bear: Once Upon a Time
By Salomey Doku Reviewed by Lucille Rose Brielle and Bear: Once Upon a Time is a heart-felt graphic novel that explores the lives of book-nerd Brielle and rugby jock Bear. Brielle is just your average fairytale lover, living her best life as
On the Hunt for Santa
By Lesley Gibbes and Stephen Michael King Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray ‘Tis the season for the latest round of holiday picture books to appear. It’s hard for creators to do anything truly fresh in this thematic space, but On the Hunt
Turtle Moon
By Hannah Gold Illustrated by Levi Pinfold Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Life has been unflash in the Trevelon household for some time as Silver's parents try unsuccessfully to have another child and discover that it is not going to happen. So much so
The Hunger Games (Illustrated Edition)
By Suzanne Collins Illustrated by Nico Delort Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The Hunger Games, a dystopian novel inspired by reality television, Greek mythology and Roman gladiatorial games, became a worldwide publishing phenomenon when it first appeared in 2008. It is the first in a
Dragonfire (18,000 Holes in the Universe, #1)
Written by Adam Wallace and Lisa Foley Illustrated by James Hart Reviewed by Jamie Willis Dragonfire is the first book in the hilarious 18,000 Holes in the Universe illustrated series. Twins Noah and Jordie are shocked when their great-uncle announces he’s demolishing their mum’s
We Do Not Welcome Our Ten-Year-Old Overlord
By Garth Nix Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Garth Nix has been writing carefully crafted, witty and original science fiction and fantasy for many years. YA books include the Old Kingdom fantasy series; SF novels Shade’s Children and A Confusion of Princes; and a Regency romance with magic, Newt’s
How to Make a Snowman (Bunny and Bird, #3)
By Nick Bland Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Nick Bland lives in Darwin where he works full time as an author and illustrator. His books, which include The Very Cranky Bear, The Wrong Book and The Runaway Hug, have been recognised by many different awards, including
Emma Memma: Christmas Lights
By Emma Memma, Oliver Brian & Amy Josephine Wright Reviewed by Margarite Igras Emma Watkins is passionate about integrating Australian sign language in song and dance form to entertain and educate all children regardless of ability. Together with illustrations by hard-of-hearing Amy
The Boab Tree
By Helen Milroy Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Helen Milroy is a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region. Her thoughtfully designed and produced books for children combine stunning colourful artwork with simple accessible text which introduce readers to Australian wildlife.
Book Links November News
We start off with looking at all the local news in the children's literature world and then move on to the rest of Australia. There is always something exciting happening. Read all about it here. Book Links November News
The Cheeky Toddler Alphabet
By Davina Bell & Jennifer Falkner Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This warm hearted book is so much more than a simple alphabet book! It is a detailed loving portrait of a mother and her son as they live, learn, and grow each
Our World: Philippines
By Zewlan Moor & Happy Garaje Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the latest addition to the Our World series which aims to introduce young readers to the culture and lives of people from other places around the world. Titles inclde Ethiopia,
The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Extinct Animals
By Sami Bayly Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Sami Bayly who describes herself on her website as 'author and illustrator of all things weird and wonderful', combines a deep knowledge and love of animals with a remarkable ability to write about them in
Walking Together
By Coral Vass & Dub Leffler Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Coral Vass is the author of many popular books for young children including Grandma's Treasured Shoes, Jorn’s Magnificent Imagination, The Kelly Gang Kids and Amanda Commander: The Blues-day Tuesday. Dub Leffler is an illustrator,
The Glass Girl
By Kathleen Glasgow Reviewed by Lucille Rose The Glass Girl is a stark, eye-opening book that leads the reader into the dark world of addiction. This novel follows the twisted life of Bella Leahey, fifteen-year-old alcoholic and designated adult in the Leahey
Bamboozled
By David Legge Reviewed by Margarite Igras Bamboozled was David Legge’s first picture book and this is the Thirty Years celebration edition, showcasing the sustained popularity of the work and including bonus behind the scenes pages from the author. David has achieved
A Beginner’s Guide to Choosing the Perfect Pet
By Ali Rutstein & Tommy Doyle Reviewed by Helen Gearing ‘Every family should have a pet. A faithful friend to welcome into your hearts and home.’ Rutstein’s debut picture book with Niña Nill, Ladybirds Do Not Go to Daycare was a CBCA notable
The Minute Minders
By Mary Murphy Reviewed by Christine Pirrone. Mary Murphy is an Irish based author-illustrator who has published over 40 children’s books. She is celebrated internationally and some of her work has been adapted for the screen. The Minute Minders is her debut
All the Beautiful Things
By Katrina Nannestad with illustrations by Martina Heiducek Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Katrina Nannestad is one of Australia's foremost writers of children's historical fiction. She has won the Book Links Award for Children's Historical Fiction twice with We Are Wolves, 2021 and Waiting
Thunderhead
By Sophie Beer Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Sophie Beer is best known as a picture book writer and illustrator. Her vibrant art style is instantly recognisable and has successfully found its way beyond her books to a décor collection and promotional
The Glad Not Sad Book
By Kim Michelle Toft Reviewed by Margarite Igras Multi-award-winning Australian author and illustrator Kim Michelle Toft has written several picture books showcasing the beauty and importance of Nature and its role in our lives. Her books stand out with their luminous detailed
What Noise Does the Baby Make?
By Jacinta Froud & Cat MacInnes Reviewed by Mia Macrossan If a pig goes OINK and a goat goes MAA what noise does the sheep make? Turn the page to a big double page spread and see a flock of sheep all
Purinina
By Christina Booth Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Christina Booth is the award-winning author of eight, and illustrator of over twenty books for children, including Are These Hen's Eggs?, the CBCA Honour Book Kip and Welcome Home, which won The Environment Award for
Fabulous Frogs
By Katrina Germein & Suzanne Houghton Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Katrina Germein has many picture books to her credit including Little Book Baby, One Little Duck, and Before You Were Born. Suzanne Houghton is also an experienced picture book creator whose work
Dung Beetle On a Roll
By Sandra Severgnini Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Okay, so I'm a dung beetle. What is dung you ask? Well, it's the best thing ever! It's another word for poo -
