Parcel For Gorilla
By Shelley Knoll-Miller Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Parcel For Gorilla is a companion read to Parcel For Penguin, and part of a series of 4 – so far. This lighthearted story makes clever use of the ‘what’s inside the box’ narrative
Harriet’s Hungry Worms
By Samantha Smith & Melissa Johns Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is Samantha's first eco picture book which she hopes will inspire readers to become young 'wormwarriors'. Melissa is an artist and illustrator whose artworks are predominantly made of recycled materials. In Harriet's
Shadow Catchers
By Kirsty Murray and Karen Blair Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Shadow Catchers is a charming romp through a day in the life of two siblings, their dad, and their shadows. In the early morning light, the shadows touch the ceiling as
This Old Thing
By Cassandra Webb Illustrated by Tony Flowers Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian author Cassandra Webb has teamed up with the wonderful illustrator Tony Flowers to create This Old Thing, a poignant historical picture book. We follow a young boy as he searches his house
Anchored
by Debra Tidball and Arielle Li Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray It feels like a long time since we’ve seen boats as main characters in a picture book. It’s a useful device, though, allowing a story about separation to unfold gently, without
Hello, Emma Memma
By Emma Watkins and Oliver Brian Illustrated by Kerrie Hess Reviewed by Margarite Igras The beloved character from the Wiggles has transformed into a new person called Emma Memma. This book introduces her and shows how she metamorphoses into a beautiful butterfly called
The Garden at the End of the World
By Cassy Polimeni & Briony Stewart Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Reading a picture book is often the first time a child is introduced to some interesting aspect of life on this planet. It is truly amazing to discover the range and variety
Mulga Bill’s Bicycle: Poem
By A B Paterson Illustrated by Kilmeny and Deborah Niland Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This gorgeous new edition of the classic children’s picture book is celebrating 50 years in print. The Niland sisters have illustrated many children's picture books over the years and
Cloudspotting
By Samantha Tidy & Susannah Crispe Reviewed by Sandy Driessens ‘When the light changes through my bedroom window, it’s time.’ It’s time for the sun to appear on the horizon and the adventure to begin, for a little girl and her father. This
Tap! Tap! Tap! Dance! Dance! Dance!
By Hervé Tullet Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Hervé Tullet’s interactive picture book, Press Here, was ahead of the curve when first released to delighted readers in 2010. It’s now quite common to find these ‘meta’ books on our shelves; titles that break
Satin
By Sophie Masson Illustrated by Lorena Carrington Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Every morning early, when no-one’s about, Satin slips out of the forest and walks along the sleepy sunrise streets, looking for blue… Satin is an atmospheric new release from an award winning creative
Charlie’s Swim
By Edith Wright Illustrated by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Edith proudly acknowledges her Bardi heritage and this story is about her uncle, Charlie D' Antoine, a Bardi man who grew up near Ardiyooloon. Charmaine, an artist and activist, is a descendant
Parcel for Penguin
By Shelley Knoll-Miller Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Shelley is an Australian illustrator with a love of storytelling – the sillier the better. Parcel for Penguin is the third in the series after Parcel for Koala and Parcel for Gorilla. Penguin is surprised and
Mama’s Chickens
By Michelle Worthington and Nicky Johnston Reviewed by Margarite Igras This picture book is written from personal experience by Australian author Michelle Worthington who was diagnosed with Progressive Non fluent Aphasia – a form of dementia, with symptoms including memory loss, difficulty
Dorrie
Written & illustrated by Tania McCartney Reviewed by Sandy Driessens In the Land of the Long White Cloud, where the mountains kiss the sea, lived a little girl called Dorrie. She loved to dance and sing and play piano, but best of
Ten Blocks to the Big Wok : A Mandarin Counting Book
Written & illustrated by Ying-Hwa Hu Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Ten blocks to the Big Wok! Mia cheers. Mia and Uncle Eddie are going to Uncle’s favourite dim sum restaurant in Chinatown and along the way, they count and enjoy icons that
Picturebook Makers
By dPICTUS Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is a fascinating book for anyone interested in the process of picture creation. Originally published in Sweden, this English edition has been edited by Sam McCullen who also wrote the introduction. In it he says The
Easy Peasy
By Ky Garvey & Amy Calautti Reviewed by Margarite Igras Ky is a mother to two boys who are both diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and ADHD. Through her experiences with her boys, she has been inspired to write stories that turn
Say Hooray
By Renae Hayward & Rebecca Mills Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is Renae’s second children’s book, her first was Barking Mad. Rebecca is a prolific graphic designer and illustrator, whose illustrations have have been used in puzzles, on clothes, stamps and even surfboards. In
Bush Birds
Written & Illustrated by Helen Milroy Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “Little birds, big birds, all different kinds. How many bush birds can you find?” From an inquisitive little Blue Wren to an emu booming out his song, this beautiful picture book identifies Australia’s
Grandma’s Guide to Happiness
By Andrew Daddo Illustrated by Stephen Michael King Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Andrew Daddo, well known for his work on TV is the author of Goodnight, Me and many others while Stephen Michael King is the much awarded illustrator of more than 80
Grannysaurus
By David Walliams Illustrated by Adam Stower Reviewed by Mia Macrossan David Walliams is the prolific popular author of The Boy in the Dress, Marmalad the Orange Panda, The World's Worst series and many more. Many have been illustrated by the English illustrator Adam
Amazing Mum
By Alison Brown Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Alison Brown is an English writer and illustrator who has also written the companion title Amazing Dad. Amazing Mum show mums in action – snuggling in bed reading a book to her children, magically finding
The Month that Makes the Year
Written and illustrated by Inda Ahmad Zahri Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Described as a joyful celebration of the spiritual practice of Ramadan, The Month that Makes the Year fills an important gap in the contemporary Australian picture book landscape. Such books
Jacob’s New Dress
By Sarah and Ian Hoffman Illustrated by Chris Case Reviewed by Barbara Braxton There are many costumes to choose from in the class dress-up corner – firemen, dragons, farmers, knights in shining armour – but Jacob insists on wearing the princess dress complete
Duckling Runs Away
By Margaret Wild and Vivienne To Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is another miniature masterpiece from Margarite Wild who has been writing for children for ever and never gets it wrong. She has published over seventy picture books for young children, been
Bobby’s Castle
Written & illustrated by Paul Beavis Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Bobby is set in his ways … he’s the king of his castle. Nothing changes and he likes it that way. Then Salma arrives … She wants to jump and dive and play
Hope is the Thing
By Johanna Bell and Erica Wagner Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Emily Dickinson’s poem ‘Hope is the Thing with Feathers’, first appeared in 1891. Over a hundred years later, dynamic creatives Johanna Bell and Erica Wagner have reframed the message in a
The Sun and the Mayfly
By Tang Tang & Zhang Xiao Reviewed by Sandy Driessens When curious Little Mayfly meets the Sun, they form an unusual friendship. But can the Sun answer Little Mayfly’s most intriguing question? This is the story of a Little Mayfly who hatches from
The Last Crayon
Written & illustrated by Fifi Colston Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Fifi Colston is a New Zealand writer, illustrator, wearable arts designer and costume props maker for the film and television industry. Her previous work that she wrote and illustrated herself include Where's
