Shoosh!
Written and illustrated by Simon Howe Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Simon Howe is a picture book illustrator who has worked on many projects including Natalie Pryor's Naughty Dragons series. This is the first book that he has both written and illustrated. A tired
The Crayon’s Christmas
By Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the team that brought you The Day the Crayons Quit and the Crayons Book of Numbers, both very popular with young children. The Crayons’ Christmas is a lot of fun even
What I Like Most
By Mary Murphy Illustrated by Zhu Cheng-Liang Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zahri This simple story stole my heart. It starts with a humble statement by a little girl about what she likes most in the world, and why. Except that she has this
Windows
Written by Patrick Guest Illustrated by Jonathan Bentley Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zahri If there were a tale we could hold to commemorate the trials and tribulations of this strange year, let it be this one. As the COVID-19 pandemic clears the streets of
Vlad’s Bad Breath
By Rory H. Mather Illustrated by Jesus Lopez Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zahri Vlad is a pint-sized vampire who doesn't want to brush his teeth. After stinking out close family members in delicious rhyme, he gets help from his other ghoulish friends and
Rudie Nudie Christmas
Written & Illustrated by Emma Quay Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Nine years after the success of Rudie Nudie (2012 Book of the Year for Younger Children Australian Book Industry Awards; Shortlisted for Children’s Book Council Australia Awards), Emma Quay has created a
This Small Blue Dot
By Zeno Sworder Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zahri This picture book is a welcome message from a bright little girl to her baby sister, a short compendium of everything tiny ones need to know. The unique layout features a persuasive narrator, who is
Adventure Starts At Bedtime
By Ness Knight and Qu Lanaa Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Ness Knight is a real life explorer whose exploits include being the first woman to swim the Thames river from source to London. In her debut children's book she has carefully chosen thirty
Bluey: Verandah Santa
Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Bluey is a six-year-old blue heeler pup who loves to play. Along with her friends and family, Bluey enjoys exploring the world and using her imagination to turn everyday life into an amazing adventure which resonates with
The Lost Moustache
By Vikki Conley and Caterina Metti Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Vicki is the author of the charming Little Puggle's Song, also reviewed in StoryLinks. Caterina is a self-taught artist who studied science before pursuing illustration as a career. Together they have created
The Cat Who Thought He Was a Tiger
Written and Illustrated by Polly Cameron. Reviewed by Sandy Driessens First published in the USA in 1956, this delightful little tale by Polly Cameron wasn’t released in Australia until 1973 by Puffin Books. By the state of each copy I have seen,
Wild Symphony
By Dan Brown and Susan Batori Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Dan Brown, best known as the author of The Da Vinci Code, has crammed a lot into his debut picture book, Wild Symphony, including a free app containing music composed by Dan
The Fire Wombat
By Jackie French and Danny Snell Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is another story about her beloved wombats from the ever prolific Jackie French. The Fire Wombat is a topical story of how animals in the bush struggle to find safety from a fierce
Old Man Emu
By John Williamson and Simon McLean Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is a picture book adaptation of John Williamson's first and now legendary hit song, 'Old Man Emu’, to celebrate John’s 50th year of performing and the song’s 50th anniversary in 2020.
The Wolf’s Secret
By Myriam Dahman and Nicolas Digard Illustrated by Julia Sarda Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Myriam grew up in Morocco but now lives and works in Paris. Her co-writer, Nicolas Digard is a French writer for televisions and books for children but this is
My Dad Used to be so Cool
By Keith Negley Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Keith Negley is a well-known illustrator who also writes and illustrates his own picture books for children which include Tough Guys (Have Feelings Too), Mary Wears What She Wants and this one. This is a story
Waiting for Hugo
by Amanda Niland illustrated by Claire Richards reviewed by Claire Monsour Hugo is
The Story of the Little Mole who knew it was None of his Business
by Werner Holzwarth Illustrated by Wolf Erlbruch Reviewed by Sandy Driessens What appears to be the hairdo of a now-famous politician, on the head of this little Mole, is what attracted me to this story, first published in Germany in 1989. Of course,
Claudette
Written and illustrated by Helene Magisson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Helene's previous books include All About Fairies, Sarah’s Two Nativities, and Little Puggle’s Song. Her work is characterised by a delicate touch and a subtle use of colour. In Claudette she has
The Unwilling Twin
Written and illustrated by Freya Blackwood Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Freya Blackwood has been writing and illustrating for children since 2010 and any book with her name on the cover is sure to appeal to children and their parents. She won
Pirate Stew
by Neil Gaiman illustrated by Chris Riddell reviewed by Mia Macrossan Pirate Stew is a colourful over the top piratical caper produced by the award winning team of Gaiman and Riddell who have so many other hits to their name. This will be
Arthur and the Tiger
written and illustrated by Sophie Beer reviewed by Mia Macrossan This appealing picture book is all about learning how to overcome your fears. It is set in a circus full of brave and bold people except for Arthur, the Ringmaster’s son. He isn’t
The Goody
written and illustrated by Lauren Child reviewed by Mia Macrossan Former UK children’s Laureate, Lauren Child is famous for her Charlie and Lola picture books, the Clarice Bean series and the Ruby Redford detective series. I adore her books and The Goody
The Widow’s Broom
by Chris van Allsburg reviewed by Mia Macrossan This has recently been reprinted in a 25th anniversary edition and it’s a thing of beauty. Did you know witches’ brooms don’t last forever? They grow old and lose the power of flight. This happened to
We Love You, Magoo
written and illustrated by Briony Stewart reviewed by Mia Macrossan Magoo is puppy, a red setter by the look of the illustrations and he has a mind and will of his own. He is interested in everything around him and wants to try
Small Town
by Phillip Gwynne and Tony Flowers reviewed by Sarah Custance Phillip Gwynne is an Australian author of Young Adult novels, middle-grade novels, and picture books. Some of his works include ‘The Debt’ series, ‘Deadly Unna?’, ‘Stuff Happens: Michael’, and more recently ‘The
Nala the Koala
by Penny Min Ferguson reviewed by Mia Macrossan This delightful picture book features a young koala looking for a new home after she becomes homeless due to bushfires. With a happy and hopeful face she sets off walking – but a beach is
The Daddy Animal Book
Written and illustrated by Jennifer Cossins Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the companion title to THE MUMMY ANIMAL BOOK from the author of the CBCA Notable THE BABY ANIMAL BOOK and the bestselling 101 COLLECTIVE NOUNS. It is the same size, same format but in
The Painted Ponies
by Alison Lester reviewed by Mia Macrossan A new book by Alison Lester is always cause for celebration. The Painted Ponies doesn’t disappoint. It’s starts with Matilda who loves to stay at her Grandma Lucky’s house with the pony called Luna, the
Joey and Riley
by Mandy Foot reviewed by Mia Macrossan Mandy Foot has been illustrating other people's stories for many years but this is one she has written and illustrated herself. It is about a working dog who is also a beloved companion. Pet seems
