Great British Illustrators: their life and work in pictures
The Guardian newspaper does a wonderful series called Great Children's Illustrators. Here are some to enjoy: John Burningham over a long career has created much-loved characters such as the balalaika-playing mouse Trubloff and the mighty, bully-defying Avocado Baby Angela Barrett's striking and
The Boy Who Tried To Shrink His Name
By Sandhya Parappukkaran, Illustrated by Michelle Pereira Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is something completely different. Debut author Sandhya Parappukkaran has written a charming and thought-provoking story about a boy who is struggling with his very long name. As you can see the
Hello World
By Lisa Shanahan Illustrated by Leila Rudge Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Lisa is the author of several award winning books including Bear and Chook by the Sea and Big Pet Day. Here in collaboration with the talented Leila Rudge she has created another
Who Fed Zed
By Amelia McInerney Illustrated by Adam Nickel Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Amelia McInerney is a humorous picture book author. Her titles include The Book Chook illustrated by Connah Brecon, My Bird, Bertie, illustrated by Shane McG and Bad Crab, illustrated by Philip Bunting. Adam Nickel's illustration style
Gordo the Guardian
A Nigh-Time Adventure by Inge Daniels Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Inge Daniels was born in The Netherlands and now lives in Melbourne. Gordo the Guardian is her debut picture book as author/illustrator. This engaging story is set in the Australian Age of Dinosaurs
Train Party
Created by Karen Blair Reviewed by Zewlan Moor This is a perfect picture book by experienced creator, Karen Blair, illustrator of With Nan and Puddle Jumpers. The rhyming text is a delight to read, from the first moment of being drawn in: We’re
Mr Bat Wants A Hat
By Kitty Black Illustrated by Laura Wood Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Lucy Black is an Australian author who has written several picture books and her latest features a cute little black bat who exhibits all the self-centredness of a very young child without
Where Are You, Magoo?
Written and illustrated by Briony Stewart Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Magoo is back.! You may remember We Love You Magoo by Briony Stewart reviewed here and shortlisted for the Children's Book of the Year Award: Early Childhood. Briony both creates and illustrates
Frankie Goes to Kindergarten
By Peta Baxter and Connie Hemmens Illustrated by Marjory Gardner Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Frankie is actually a real and much-loved kindy dog in a real kindergarten here in Queensland. In the book we see a typical day in the life of Frankie,
Boo Loves Books
By Kaye Baillie Illustrated by Tracie Grimwood Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This uplifting story illustrates how an anxious child's friendship with a rescue dog can help both of them. Phoebe is shy and nervous about her reading because she is not
At the Dog Park
By Moira Court Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This picture book will appeal to very young children, those aged about two plus It is very simple and very clever using dogs at the dog park in all their splendid variety to illustrate opposites
Yellow Truck Road Train
by Mandy Tootell reviewed by Mia Macrossan Mandy Tootell lives in Katherine in the Northern Territory with her husband, a road train driver, and her two sons. Although Mandy is primarily a printmaker, she enjoys a range of art-making. She is
In My Mosque
Written by M. O. Yuksel Illustrated by Hatem Aly Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zahri This vibrant and welcoming book is a literary ‘walk-through’ of a building that is central to Muslim communities everywhere. Along with architectural features, the reader is treated to glimpses
When The Sakura Bloom
By Narisa Togo Translated from the Japanese by Michael Sedunary Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zahri This is a beautiful book about Japan's most iconic blooms. In a Japanese town, the cherry blossom trees are ever present, and ever changing. As the townsfolk rush
The Katha Chest
By Radhiah Chowdhury Illustrated by Lavanya Naidu Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zahri A katha is a light quilt made from layers of old cotton saris stitched together. These comforting quilts are ubiquitous in South Asian homes, and can now be shared in the
The King’s Birthday Suit
A tribute to Hans Christian Andersen’s tale of The Emperor’s New Clothes By Peter Bently Illustrated by Claire Powell Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson ‘King Albert-Horatio-Otto the Third had SO many clothes it was simply absurd …’ When two unscrupulous so- called tailors promise to make
Indigenous Picture Books
To celebrate NAIDOC WEEK 2021 here is a list of recent indigenous picture books that all children will enjoy. They range widely in subject matter, are enlightening about Australia's indigenous heritage and all are stunning in colour and design. Click
Mr Bat Wants a Hat
By Kitty Black Illustrated by Laura Wood Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Mr Bat is largely content with his life, doing what he likes when he likes. But one evening when flying above the local park, he discovers hats and decides that he needs
The House on the Mountain
By Ella Holcombe Illustrated by David Cox Reviewed by Margarite Igras This is the sad, poignant, and hopeful story told by a child about an idyllic family life in the bush that turned into trauma caused by a destructive bushfire, but culminating in
Never Grow Up
Inspired by Roald Dahl By Al Blyth and Stella Gurney Illustrated by Quentin Blake Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Never Grow Up by Roald Dahl … but wait, no, this story was inspired by Dahl, then created by Al Blyth and Stella Gurney with
Ellie’s Dragon
By Bob Graham Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Bob Graham has been writing and illustrating picture books for about 50 years. He has won too many awards for me to mention here. A new book by him is always a treat. Ellie’s Dragon is
Trouble in the Surf
By Stephanie Owen Reeder Illustrated by Briony Stewart Reviewed by Margarite Igras Stephanie Owen Reeder has spent many childhood hours on Bondi Beach and has transformed her experiences into a true story about the dangers of the surf as well providing an introduction
The Tale of the Whale
by Karen Swann Reviewed by Jillian Custance This is the first picture book written by UK author Karen Swann. Padmacandra, a Scottish author and illustrator of a number of books has provided the beautiful illustrations for this story. The poetic style of this
Daisy and Bear and the Very Ordinary Day
By Haylee Hackenberg Illustrated by Bianca Pozzi Reviewed by Margarite Igras Brisbane-based debut author Haylee Hackenberg has written a charming story for young children that questions what is ordinary when two children play and use their imagination. Daisy wearing her petalled skirt and her
Grandma’s Treasured Shoes
By Coral Vass Illustrated by Christina Huynh Reviewed by Margarite Igras Coral Vass is an award-winning Australian children’s author who wanted to write a book about walking in someone else’s shoes. Together with the illustrator Christina Huynh, they have created a beautiful, simple
Before You Were Born
By Katrina Germein Illustrated Helene Magisson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Katrina writes picture books about family life in Australia and Helene is a French artist now living in Brisbane. She recently wrote and illustrated a book about a puppet Claudette. In Before You Were
StoryLinks interviews Inda Ahmad Zahri
Inda Ahmad Zahri talked with Mia Macrossan about her writing life and her debut picture book Salih About Inda Books have got her into a number of sticky situations… 'As a little girl, I read in the dark when I should’ve been asleep.
Pandemic
By Jackie French & Bruce Whatley Reviewed by Melissa Salisbury Picture book royalty – Jackie French and Bruce Whatley – have united again to create a timely story simply titled Pandemic. It tells a story based on the arrival of Spanish flu in
The Little Pirate Queen
Written and illustrated by Sally Anne Garland Reviewed by Sandy Driessens 'A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor' – Franklin D. Roosevelt. This quotation on the dedication page defines the message of this heartening story. Every week, Lucy sails across the sea
What We’ll Build: Plans For Our Together Future
By Oliver Jeffers Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The renowned award-winning Oliver Jeffers is a Northern Irish artist, illustrator and writer who now lives and works in Brooklyn. He is perhaps best known for the best selling The Day the Crayons Quit. In his
