The Love That Grew
By Sarah Ayoub Illustrated by Mimi Purnell Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is Sarah Ayoub's first picture book, her previous titles, Hate is Such a Strong Word, The Yearbook Committee and The Cult of Romance are all for YA readers. It is also
Wild Life: The Extraordinary Adventures of Sir David Attenborough
By Leisa Stewart-Sharpe and Helen Shoesmith Reviewed by Sarah Custance Leisa Stewart-Sharpe is an Aussie born author who now resides in the UK, she mostly writes non-fiction as well as regular picture books, and sometimes combines the two together as you will
Miimi Marraal: Mother Earth
Written and illustrated by Melissa Greenwood Reviewed by Des. Crump Melissa Greenwood is a Gumbaynggirr artist who shares a warm story of the connections between mothers, babies and Mother Earth. The text is rich in imagery and cultural knowledge while the beautiful illustrations
A Blue Kind of Day
By Rachel Tomlinson Illustrated by Tori-Jay Mordey Reviewed by Margarite Igras A caring, family orientated picture book, written by psychologist Rachel Tomlinson with amazingly expressive illustrations by Indigenous Australian Tori-Jay Mordey. It is aimed at young readers and presents the challenging subject of
A Hundred Thousand Welcomes
By Mary Lee Donovan Illustrated by Lian Cho Reviewed by Margarite Igras This verse story is a global journey celebrating the rituals and cultures associated with welcoming family, friends, and strangers into our home. It is laden with information about hospitality, from the
The Smart Cookie
By Jory John and Pete Oswald Reviewed by Sarah Custance Picture Book writing team Jory John and Pete Oswald are at it again in their new book The Smart Cookie. This is part of their series of books which include, The Bad
Under the Moonlight
Written and illustrated by Susannah Crispe Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Susannah Crispe is a Canberra-based children's book author and illustrator, with a background in zoology and a passion for beautifully crafted books. Under the Moonlight is all about overcoming a fear of
Let’s Build a Backyard
By Mike Lucas & Daron Parton Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Mike Lucas is an engineer who writes children's books which include Let's Build a House, Vanishing and Olivia's Voice, a 2018 CBCA Notable book. In Let's Build a Backyard he takes the
Alfie the Brave
By Richard Harris Illustrated by Simon Howe Reviewed by Sarah Custance Some may know Dr Richard ‘Harry’ Harris, not for writing children’s books, but for his work as a member of the international cave-diving team that rescued a young soccer team from rising
The Velveteen Rabbit
By Margery Williams Bianco Illustrated by Helene Magisson Reviewed by Sandhya Parappukkaran The Velveteen Rabbit, a classic tale written by Margery Williams Bianco, first published in 1922, has no doubt enjoyed a cosy place in many hearts, children and adults alike. This edition
Marmalade the Orange Panda
By David Walliams Illustrated by Adam Stower Reviewed by Sarah Custance David Walliams is a powerhouse of children’s literature, his middle-grade fiction books have sold over 45 million copies worldwide and have been translated into 55 languages. Marmalade the Orange Panda is Walliams’
Walking in Gagudju Country: Exploring the Monsoon Forest
Written by Diane Lucas and Ben Tyler Illustrated by Emma Long Reviewed by Des. Crump Diane Lucas moved to Kakadu in her late twenties; Ben Tyler is a Bininj man from Kakadu while Emma long is an accomplished art educator living in Darwin.
Story Doctors
Written by Boori Pryor Illustrated by Rita Sinclair Reviewed by Des. Crump Boori Monty Pryor was born in Townsville, North Queensland. His father is from the Juru people of Cape Upstart from the Bowen region. His mother is a descendant of the Gurubana
The Unfunny Bunny
By Adrian Beck and illustrated by James Hart Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian author and TV producer Adrian Beck is known best for his children’s book series such as, Derek Dool, Stuff Happens, Little Legends (co-written with Nicole Hayes), and Kick it
Dogs in Disguise
By Peter Bently and John Bond Reviewed by Sarah Custance Perfectly paired in this wonderfully outrageous rhyming picture book, Dogs in Disguise, is author Peter Bently and illustrator John Bond. The book can be neatly described in its opening lines of: “Dogs
Amma’s Sari
By Sandhya Parappukkaran Illustrated by Michelle Pereira Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the second book by this creative team who produced the CBCA Notable book The Boy Who Tried To Shrink His Name, about a boy whose very long name causes him
Binky the Bowerbird
Written by Barb Cromie Illustrated by Nandina Vines Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Binky the Bowerbird is on a mission to find his true love. His parents have tried to teach him all the skills required to face the world and find a mate, but
An Artist’s Eyes
Written by Frances Tosdevin Illustrated by Clémence Monnet Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Mo’s eyes and Jo’s eyes look the same. But Jo’s eyes are different. Mo has an “artist’s eyes”. She sees colours in a dazzling array of shades that conjure images of objects
Ouch: Tales of Gravity
Kate Simpson Andy Hardiman Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Over 350 years ago, Isaac Newton saw an apple fall from a tree and he began to wonder why it fell straight down rather than floating upwards or sideways. Being a person of very great
Piano Fingers
By Caroline Magerl Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Caroline Magerl burst upon the children's literature world in 2001 when she won the the CBCA Crichton Award which aims to recognise and encourage new talent in the field of Australian children’s book illustration with
When You’re Older
By Sofie Laguna Illustrated by Judy Watson Reviewed by Sarah Custance Sophie Laguna is an Australian author with over 20 published works, ranging from novels to picture books, and Judy Watson is a multi-media artist who’s work scales from print-making, printing, video and
Ouch! Tales of Gravity
By Kate Simpson Illustrated by Andy Hardiman Reviewed by Melissa Salisbury If you have ever wanted a clear, simple explanation of the nature of gravity, for younger or older readers, Ouch! Tales of Gravity is the book for you. In this easy-to-read picture book,
The Tale of Peter Rabbit
By Beatrix Potter Reviewed by Mia Macrossan It is 120 years since a famous rabbit in a little blue jacket made his first appearance. Generations have grown up following Peter Rabbit's desperate adventures in Mr McGregor's garden, pondered the fate of his
That Cat
By Jacqueline Harvey Illustrated by Kate Isobel Scott Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jacqueline Harvey is perhaps better known as the author of the popular Alice-Miranda and Kensy & Max series. Here she has produced a zany rhyming sequence featuring cats in many different
Lion Is That You?
By Moira Court Reviewed by Margarite Igras Author and illustrator, Moira Court, has created this captivating picture book of discovery. The reader is led to believe that there could be some lions in the Australian bush. Lions, that once belonged to a
Born to Run
By Cathy Freeman Illustrated by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Cathy Freeman is a Kuku Yalanji and Birri Gubba woman who now lives in Melbourne although she grew up in Queensland. Her unforgettable win at the 2000 Sydney Olympics was the highlight
Backyard Beasties
By Helen Milroy Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Born and educated in Perth, Helen Milroy is a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. She is Australia’s first Indigenous doctor of medicine but is also a talented creator
The Boy and the Elephant
By Freya Blackwood Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This sensitive wordless picture book by multi award winning artist and storyteller Freya Blackwood can be enjoyed and shared by all ages. A boy lives in a city where everything is fast and loud but amidst
Mrs Koala’s Beauty Parlour
By Catherine Jinks and Tania McCartney Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The first book of Catherine Jinks that I read was Pagan's Crusade (1992) which grew out of her love of medieval history. Since then she has written many award winning novels including
Tiny Wonders
By Sally Soweol Han Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian-Korean author and Illustrator Sally Soweol Han, has created this sweet and magical picture book about a little girl who wants to bring some happiness, colour, and wonder to her fast-paced, grey, town. Her
