Salih
By Inda Ahmad Zahri Illustrated by Anne Ryan Reviewed by Mia Macrossan In the last decade there have been many stories written for children about people suffering loss and hardships as they flee their war torn country. Each journey is different and Salih's
Hello and Welcome
Written and illustrated by Gregg Dreise Reviewed by Des Crump Gregg Dreise is a proud Kamilaroi and Euahlayi writer and illustrator who shares stories and culture through his colourful books. Younger readers have been engaged with his previous books on birds, e.g.,
Blue Flower
By Sonya Hartnett Illustrated by Gabriel Evans Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Each morning when she wakes up, the little girl doesn't want to go to school. There are so many reasons why. She doesn't make friends as easily as you're supposed to; she
Early One Morning
By Mem Fox Illustrated by Christine Davenier Reviewed by Margarite Igras A little boy decides he wants a couple of things for breakfast. What could it be? He waves goodbye to his mother and begins to search the farm. He looks inside the
Cinderella Liberator : A Fairy Tale Revolution
By Rebecca Solnit Illustrated by Arthur Rackham Reviewed by Mia Macrossan In 1892 someone found 345 variants of the Cinderella story. Here is one more written by Rebecca Solnit which uses the famous Arthur Rackham illustrations. For Solnit, as she says in her
Can You Do This?
By Michael Wagner Illustrated by Heath McKenzie Reviewed by Margarite Igras. In this wildly imaginative story about sibling rivalry, I can see a mental subtitle on each page saying these activities are dangerous, do not do this. Regardless, little brother imagines that his bigger brother
The Coloured Echidna
By Eunice Day Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Eunice Day is an Aboriginal Elder from Blackwater. The Coloured Echidna is one of the twelve new picture books for Queensland’s youngest readers published as part of First 5 Forever, an early literacy program initiated
Oswald Messweather
Written by Dimity Powell Illustrated by Siobhan McVey Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Oswald Constantine Dorian Messweather is a young boy who hates his name because it is confusing and messy. He also hates other messy situations around the home, such as his father’s
Into the Wild
Written by Robert Vescio Illustrated by Mel Armstrong Reviewed by Sandy Driessens The cover of “Into the Wild”, is so engaging, it makes you want to soar with the blue bird, but also conveys the joy of the little person watching it
The Bird in the Herd
by Kathryn Apel Illustrated by Renee Treml Reviewed by Jillian Custance Here is another charming title by Kathryn Apel, who has published work, mostly in verse, for children across age ranges. Kathryn grew up on a Queensland grazing property giving her a unique
One Lone Swallow
by Corinne Fenton Illustrated by Owen Swan Reviewed by Jillian Custance Corinne Fenton is the Australian author of over a dozen picture books. For One Lone Swallow she has once again teamed up with illustrator Owen Swan, after working together for the two
Good Question : A Tale Told Backwards
By Sue Whiting & Annie White Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Remember the story of Henny Penny, Ducky Lucky and their mates who were on their way to tell the King that the sky was falling when they met up with Fox? Well,
Time for Adventure, Daddy
Written & Illustrated by Dave Hackett Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “Come on, Daddy, it’s time for an adventure!” “But I have more jobs to do,” says Daddy. This cheerful story, created by cartoonist Dave Hackett, is a good-humoured play on spending time with Daddy.
The Biscuit Maker
By Sue Lawson Illustrated by Liz Annelli Reviewed by Margarite Igras This gentle story explores the relationship of food and members of a busy community. Benedict Stanley lives with his cat Audrey Mae in Marvin Road. People who pass by his house are much
Ten Little Yoga Frogs
By Hilary Robinson and Mandy Stanley Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This bright, colourful, traditional rhyming counting book has the added bonus of all the characters doing yoga and an invitation to the reader to join in. Little children often have trouble sitting still
My Summer With Grandad
Written and illustrated by Tom Tinn-Disbury Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Tom is a UK based illustrator who has worked for various publishers. The Caveman Next Door was his debut as both author and illustrator. My Summer with Grandad is his second picture
The Best Mum
By Penny Harrison & Sharon Davey Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Everyone loves their mum but sometimes you can’t help yourself looking at other people’s mums and comparing. In this story a little girl talks about all the wonderful ways in which her friend’s
HUGO The boy with the curious mark
By Yohann Devezy Illustrated by Manuela Adreani Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “Hugo was born with a curious mark. It looked like a rainbow. His family told him not to worry about it. Someday, they said, it will just disappear.” But it didn’t, it
Azaria : A True History
Written and illustrated by Maree Coote Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson What happens when the truth gets lost? What happens when there is a gross miscarriage of justice perpetrated by the media and backed by questionable scientific evidence? Did the mother murder the
Once I Munched a Mango
By Samantha Wheeler Illustrated by Shannon Horsfall Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Samantha Wheeler is a versatile writer perhaps best known for her middle grade animal rescue stories such as Wombat Warriors, Turtle Trackers, and Mister Cassowary. She gained wide acclaim for Everything I've
Bears Don’t Wear Shoes
Written and illustrated by Sharon Davey Reviewed by Margarite Igras Bears Don’t Wear Shoes is the first title Sharon Davey has both written and illustrated herself. Born in England she has a background in theatre design and has illustrated a range of
Little Lion: A long way home
Written by Saroo Brierley; with Larry Buttrose Illustrated by Bruce Whatley Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Many readers will be familiar with Saroo Brierley’s story, as seen in the award-winning film, Lion. It is an incredible story of how 5 year old Saroo came
In the Deep End
Written & illustrated by Charlie Thomson Reviewed by Zewlan Moor In the Deep End is one of the twelve new picture books for Queensland’s youngest readers published as part of First 5 Forever, an early literacy program initiated by the Queensland Government and coordinated
The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s First 100 Words
A lift-the-flap book by Eric Carle Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Eric Carle has a long and distinguished career as a children's picture book creator. His distinctive colourful style in his stories and illustrations are immediately recognizable. He is especially notable for The Very
What Do You Call Your Grandpa?
By Ashleigh Barton Illustrated by Martina Heiduczek Reviewed by Margarite Igras This debut book by Australian author, Ashleigh Barton is a delightful and informative read about the different names children call their grandpa in a culturally diverse world. And I am really pleased
Hotel for Bees
By Alison McLennan Illustrated by Erin Dunne Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Alison is a Queensland children's writer, author of the graphic novel A Flood in the Village. Erin is an artist and arts educator based in Central Queensland. In her work she attempts
Three Dancing Frogs
by Leigh Hardingham Illustrated by Patrick Shirvington Reviewed by Margarite Igras Both author and illustrator have a love of the Australian bush which is reflected in the delightful watercolour illustrations as well as the text written like the lyrics of a song. The owl
Poo and Other Words That Make Me Laugh
By Felice Arena Illustrated by Tom Jellett Reviewed by Zewlan Moor At last! A literary bum book that even a Literature professor would be proud to buy for a child. It starts as it means to go on: “These words make me laugh — BUMbershoot
The Great Realisation
By Tomos Roberts Illustrated by Nomoco Reviewed by Jillian Custance Tomos Roberts is a 26-year-old NZ filmmaker/poet who uses the pen-name Tom Foolery. The Great Realisation is his first picture book. The book was inspired by a poem “The Great Realisation” that Tomos released
Ruby and Graham
By Lucy Barnard Reviewed by Jillian Custance Lucy Barnard is the author and illustrator of a number of children’s picture books, including Squirrel’s Busy Day, and I’m Bigger Than You. Ruby and Graham is the story of two friends with differing personalities and
