Shmoof
By Heidi McKinnon Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Heidi has collaborated with many writers to create memorable picture books as well as writing and illustrating her own. She is the master of restrained simple storytelling, combining an economy of style and colour with
One Word and a Bird
By Stephen Michael King Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray One Word and a Bird is the newest picture book from celebrated author/illustrator Stephen Michael King. It showcases the power of words, both in the sense of their impact on a page, and
Book of Hours
By Clare McFadden Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Book of Hours is a contemplative meditation on the quiet beauty of everyday life. It is marketed as a picture book for ages 3+, but will strongly resonate with adult readers as it moves
Your Body is Amazing
By Jess Sanders Illustrated by Christine Cuddihy Reviewed by Claire Monsour Dear Reader, there is no such thing as a perfect body. Every body is different and every body has its own strengths. What makes your body amazing is not what it looks
Sid and the very hard to find Squid
Written & illustrated by James O’Hanlon Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “Of all the bugs and birds and beasts
The Frog’s First Song
By Jazz Money & Jason Phu Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray The Frog’s First Song is a visually arresting and thematically joyful picture book that celebrates connection. Written by award-winning Wiradjuri poet Jazz Money and illustrated by three-time Archibald Prize finalist Jason
Little One
By Jane Godwin & Gabriel Evans Reviewed by Claire Monsour “Ed has a teddy, Lola has a blanket, Penny has her Elly… But Little One is mine” There are plenty of picture books where a child loses a treasured toy, and is then
A Loo of One’s Own
A Mostly True Tale of Australia’s First Female Parliamentarians Written and Illustrated by Eleri Harris Reviewed by Zewlan Moor What a treat to read this book! A Loo of One’s Own is the debut picture book of award-winning cartoonist, Eleri Harris, whose second book,
Who Might You Be?
By R. Henderson Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Who Might You Be? is a fresh, interactive picture book from Robert Henderson. This inventive author/illustrator previously brought us the delightful I See, I See, which invited readers to physically move the book around to explore
Wombat Dreaming
By Caz Goodwin & Zoë Bennett Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “Each Sunday the animals woke with the sun and came to the creek for some yoga and fun.” Lil, desperately wanted to join in the yoga class, but when you’re a roly-poly wombat
The Train at the End of my Street
By Tom Jellett Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Tom Jellett’s The Train at the End of my Street is a picture book for pure enjoyment, tapping into the timeless childhood fascination with trains. A young child narrates his interest in trains of
Guess How I Was Born
By Suzanne Gervay & Carolyn Daly Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Presented with the Lifetime Social Justice Literature Award for her body of work by the International Literacy Association and an Order of Australia, Susanne Gervays's books are recognised all over the world.
Wait a Minute!
By Shelly Unwin & Lana Azore Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “Time to go! Wait a minute! I’ve got to tie my sh … sheep together.” Ah, the morning rush for parent and child to leave home and be on our way, to our
Lucky
By Amelia Tonta and Peter Baldwin Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Lucky is a dynamic new picture book by Amelia Tonta (formerly publishing as Amelia Mcinerney) and illustrated by Peter Baldwin. It is an imaginative and laugh-out-loud celebration of optimism in the
I Don’t Need a Little Brother
By Nat Amoore & Nathaniel Eckstrom Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray I Don’t Need a Little Brother is the debut picture book for Nat Amoore, who is well known for action-packed, humorous middle grade writing - and even better known for super high
Surprise Shark
By Sarah Lane & Patrick Corrigan Reviewed by Mia Macrossan ' It was a beautiful day in Blue Bottle Bay when the fish all gather together to play.' Here's a story about a friendly shark who has no idea that maybe he frightens
Goodnight Glow Worms
By Aura Parker Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Aura is a creator whose previous published books include Meerkat Splash, Meerkat Christmas, The Silly Seabed Song and Goodnight Glow Worms now published as a board book. Her work is characterised by a joyful energy, a sense
Where Shall We Travel Today?
By Kristin Martin & Nicky Johnston Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray With the competing pressures of busy lives and a crowded school curriculum, some commentators are saying it has never been more important to foster the soft skills associated with literacy in
Raymaŋgirrbuy dhäwu When I was a little girl
By Kylie Gatjawarrawuy Mununggurr Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is a beautifully told story of an idyllic childhood presented in two languages, Djambarrpuyŋu and English, making it one of a small but growing collection of dual language resources available to children, parents
Clutterbugs
By Maura Pierlot & Maya Bora Reviewed by Meg Rowe In a world obsessed with acquiring more and more ‘stuff’ Clutterbugs message that less is best is a timely and important one. Maura Pierlot’s imaginative rhyming narrative, coupled with Maya Bora's vibrant
Too Many Dogs
By Maura Finn & Lucinda Gifford Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Percy is tired of being one dog all alone in a house FULL OF CATS! He’s leaving for a magical place where he can be free: THE DOG PARK. Percy always gets
Learning Country
A First Nations Journey Around Australia's Traditional Place Names by Ryhia Dank Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Ryhia Dank is a Gudanji/Wakaja woman who grew up in a remote community in the Gulf of Carpentaria. She got to know her Country though the stories
Taking the Long Way Home
By Jake Hope and Brian Fitzgerald Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jake, the author of Lola Loves Walking and Cheesed Off!, is an active reviewer and a passionate advocate for libraries, books and reading. Brian has illustrated numerous books and won the Bologna Fair
Lulu is a Rhinoceros
Written by Jason Flom with Allison Flom & illustrated by Sophie Corrigan Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Lulu is a rhinoceros – that’s not necessarily what she sees when she looks in the mirror, but it is how she feels. In her heart and
No More Room in the Bed
By Deborah Abela & Marina Verola Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Deborah Abela has won many awards for her work including the KOALA, YABBA, Aurealis and Speech Pathology Awards and the Maurice Saxby Award for service to children’s literature. Marina Verola is the
Our Dance
By Jacinta Daniher, Taylor Hampton & Janelle Burger Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Taylor Hampton, a Ngiyampaa/Wiradjun man has a passion for educating young people about Aboriginal culture and has teamed up with Jacinta Daniher, an early childhood educator and Janelle Burger, a
The Colt from Old Regret
By Dianne Wolfer Illustrated by Erica Wagner Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson Dianne Wolfer, the creator of many Australian themed historical fiction and award-winning picture books, responds to Banjo Patterson's poem The Man from Snowy River, by imagining the tale from the colt's perspective
Koala Koala
By John Williamson & Jonathan Bentley Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is a picture book version of the song by Australian entertainer John Williamson augmented and extended by the colourful illustrations of Jonathan Bentley. Koalas are a popular topic for Australian children's
Don’t Trust Fish
By Neil Sharpson & Dan Santat Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is Neil Sharpson debut picture book. He has written adult novels and writes Unshaved Mouse, a comedic review blog mostly focusing on animated film and comic book movies. His team mate Dan
You Are Not a Pup!
By Annaleise Byrd & Sandra de la Prada Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Annaleise Byrd has written two sparkling portal fantasies for junior middle grade Losing the Plot and Down the Plot Hole and this is her first foray into picture books. Her
