Turbo Turtle
By Greg Dreise Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Greg is a descendant of the Goomelroi/Kamilaroi and Euahlayi people of SW Queensland and NW New South Wales. He is the author of many stories and tales inspired by his Indigenous culture, including Circles of
Emmie
By Marjorie Crosby-Fairall Reviewed by Margarite Igras Marjorie was very young when she decided to become an illustrator. Today, after gaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustrations, she is an internationally published illustrator of over twenty children’s books. She received the
Here Come the Cousins
By Maggie Hutchings & Sarah Zweck Reviewed by Margarite Igras Maggie Hutchins is known for her humorous and engaging storytelling, with titles such as Unicorn, her debut work, Your Birthday was the Best and Be True to You (CBCA Honour Book). Here
Hello, Spring Baby!
By Jess Racklyeft Reviewed by Margarite Igras Jess Racklyeft is a prolific award-winning Australian author and illustrator, with over 40 picture books and board books under her wing. She won the 2022 CBCA Children’s Book of the Year for her richly detailed
How to go to Big School
By Sarah Ayoub & Mimi Purnell Reviewed by Mia Macrossan When it's time to learn new things and grow is when you go to Big School is the beginning of this charming, warm-hearted picture book aimed at all those newbies going to
All About Starting School
By Felicity Brooks & Mar Ferrero Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Felicity has worked at Usborne for over 30 years and has written and edited hundreds of titles from books on tractors to genetics. Mar was a cartoonist before becoming an illustrator and
How to Have the Best School Year Ever
By Jess Sanders & Andrea Onishi Reviewed by Margarite Igras Jess Sanders is a social worker, educator and award-winning Australian author. She is well known for her Life Lessons For Little Ones Series, with titles such as You Can Do Hard Things,
Otto’s INK-redible First Day of School
By Rory H. Mather Illustrations by Rebel Challenger Reviewed by Sophia Evans Otto the Octopus just wants to fit in, but he tends to overthINK. And when he does, he releases lots of…INK! Otto the Octopus is starting school tomorrow and he’s shy.
Compassion
By Zanni Louise & Kim Drane Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian author Zanni Louis has written over forty books spanning all ages from picture books to teen fiction. This is the first in a new series called Handbooks for Little Humans, a
Handbooks for Little Humans: Confidence
By Zanni Louise & Kim Drane Reviewed by Margarite Igras. Bestselling and prolific Australian author Zanni Louise has completed her second book in the series Handbooks for Little Humans. This time her topic is Confidence, but she has flagged that she will
When The Mountain Wakes
Written and illustrated by Matt Shanks Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Author and illustrator Matt Shanks is probably best known to young readers for his many lively, humorous picture books, particularly his series of contemporary Australian nursery rhymes. His online journaling and
Another Year Around the Sun
By Katrina Germein & Alice Lindstrom Reviewed by Margarite Igras. Katrina is an award-winning Australian author of titles such as Fabulous Frogs, One Little Duck (CBCA shortlisted), Bev and Kelly (CBCA Honour Book) and numerous CBCA Notable listings. Some of her works
The Wheels on the Bus and Other Songs
A celebration of classic songs with Australia's favourite Play School toys By Playschool Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The iconic children’s program Play School is celebrating 60 years on TV, encouraging generations of Australians to wonder, to feel and to imagine. Their books such
A Barney Gumnut Christmas (Barney Gumnut, #2)
By Tamsin Ainslie Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is a beautiful Christmas book that shows the true Christmas spirit of giving, sharing, and celebrating our blessings. Tamsin Ainslie has illustrated for ABC Books, Scholastic and UQP. Her books include In My Garden
Being Indy
By Zoe Gaetjens & Estee Sarsfield Reviewed by Sandhya Parappukkaran Zoe Gaetjens is a children’s and YA author. Her board book Little Angler was shortlisted as a Speech Pathology Book of the Year in 2024 and her debut YA novel, will be
Best (Worst) Farmer Ever
By Pat Cummins & Michael Wagner Illustrated by Louis Shea Reviewed by Margarite Igras Well known Australian cricketer Pat Cummins shows his other sides in this heartwarming picture book for ages 3 to 7. Author Michael Wagner has captured the life of the cricketer away
The Drought Kangaroo
By Jackie French & Danny Snell Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jackie French's publications take up two whole pages of very small print so I won't try to summarise here. Suffice to say that she was a very much loved Children's Laureate in
A Song for the King
By Katrina Nannestad & Freya Blackwood Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Both Katrina Nannestad and Freya Blackwood have been much awarded for their children's books. Katrina's books include the CBCA-shortlisted We Are Wolves, The Girl Who Brought Mischief, The Travelling Bookshop series, The Girl,
I’m Very Busy: A (Nearly Forgotten) Birthday Book
Written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Oliver Jeffers has won many awards for his work including the Nestlé Children's Book Prize Gold Award, the Blue Peter Book of the Year Award and the Irish Children's Book of the
Mum’s Busy Work
By Jacinda Ardern & Ruby Jones Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Children's books written by famous people whose field of expertise is something totally different can be interesting and challenging for all sorts of reasons. Jacinda Ardern was Prime Minister of New Zealand
Neighbourhood Nest
By Sarah Jane Lightfoot Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian author and illustrator Sarah Jane Lightfoot is known for her informative and visually appealing picture books aimed at 3- to 7-year-olds. Her debut work, Down the Road Little Bee sent the young reader
Fairy Beach
By Sheila Knaggs & Jennifer Falkner Reviewed by Margarite Igras. Sheila Knagg’s inspiration for this story came about one day during the COVID lockdown. She was walking along the beach and heard what she thought was giggling and chatter. It came from
Rosewood Then & Now
By Karen Tyrell & Megan Forward Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is a charming history snapshot of a small Queensland town aimed at primary school readers but can be enjoyed by people of any age. The book is an initiative of the
Countdown to Christmas
Compiled and reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here are some Christmas books published this year to entertain and amuse a young audience. Countdown to Christmas by Evie Garland & Rachel Gyan A sturdy book book in the shape of a Christmas tree, brightly coloured
The Colours of Nature
By Catherine Barr & Chaaya Prabhat Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Our natural world provides many examples of gorgeous, stunning animals and plants that fascinate young readers. A book that celebrates the beauty and diversity around us is a perfect way to engage
World of Colour
By Jess Racklyeft Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jess is a versatile illustrator who has worked with many writers including Claire Saxby (Tree, Whisper on the Wind, Iceberg) to create outstanding picture books, as well as carving out a name for herself as a sole creator (There’s
10 Dogs: A Funny Furry Counting Book
Written & illustrated by Emily Gravett Reviewed by Sandy Driessens 10 DOGS … another cute counting book? No, not at all. For a start, there are also 10 sausages involved which makes this far more fun, but also challenging. '3 dogs with more sausages
Meet the Author: Kirsten Ealand
By Lauren Spencer Kirsten Ealand is a children’s book author from the Northern Rivers of New South Wales. Working part-time as a library assistant, Kirsten shares her love for books and reading with her community. It’s clear from her two picture
Cynthia is a Wild Dog
By Tohby Riddle Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Tohby Riddle is an author and illustrator whose background spans a range of art styles, from fine acrylics to cartooning. Though he has many picture books to his name, it is hard to view
Powerful Like a Dragon
By Christopher Cheng & Jacquiline Tam Reviewed by Margarite Igras Acclaimed author Christopher Cheng recounts a personal family story of courage and survival seen through the eyes of a child. The child in question was his uncle Shu Lok and the story
