The Tiny Star
by Mem Fox and Freya Blackwood reviewed by Mia Macrossan Little children are famous for asking difficult questions - ones adults may think they are too young to fully understand the answer. Children ask questions where the adult may not be confident
IBBY Australia Honour List books 2019
IBBY Australia proudly announces its selection of two books to be included in the biennial IBBY Honour List for 2020. One highlights Indigenous history and the environment, and the other, the experiences of a teenage asylum seeker. Every two years an
Lottie and Walter
by Anna Walker reviewed by Kerry Neary Where would children’s picture books be without friendship stories? Some include imaginary friends, like Lottie and Walter, latest release from magical author-illustrator Anna Walker. Lottie has a secret. Of course, I can’t tell you what it
Argh! There’s a skeleton inside you!
by Idan Ben-Barak illustrated by Julian Frost reviewed by Kerry Neary The idiosyncratic creators of the 2017 sensation Do not lick this book!, Idan Ben-Barak and illustrator Julian Frost, are back with Argh! There’s a skeleton inside you!, done in the same loopy
BumbleBunnies: The Sock (BumbleBunnies, Book 2)
by Graeme Base reviewed by Kerry Neary The second title in Graeme Base’s new series for early readers BumbleBunnies, has been released. It’s called The Sock and is another domestic super-hero story in the vein of The Pond, first title in the
Dippy’s Big Day Out (Dippy the Diprotodon, #1)
by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley with Ben Smith Whatley reviewed by Kerry Neary If a book is a major success it makes sense to do at least one follow-up. Arguably the best example of that theory in recent times has been the
Under The Same Sky
written by Robert Vescio illustrated by Nicky Johnson reviewed by Kerry Neary Two solitary children seem to sense each other’s presence but wonder if they ever will meet. The words and the illustrations tell us they are on opposite sides of the world
My Dad is a Dragon
written by Damon Young Illustrated by Peter Carnavas reviewed by Maria Parenti-Baldey This is the latest in a collaboration which has resulted in six titles each featuring a special member of the family, Nanna, Pop, Mum, Sister and Brother have all had their
Max’s Dinosaur Feet
by Lana Spasevski illustrated by Penelope Pratley Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zabri Max has a great idea. He pulls on a pair of dinosaur slippers and begins to charge around the living room. The stomping and smashing is bound to wake his baby
Boy
by Phil Cummings illustrated by Shane Devries reviewed by Claire Monsour Boy is the story of a young boy, named "Boy", who lives in a village in a land ruled by a powerful king. The kingdom is being terrorised by a fire-breathing dragon.
Leaping Lola
by Tracey Hawkins illustrated by Anil Tortop reviewed by Sandy Driessens How lovely is this image of a cow leaping in the moonlight and the black and white cow hide print on the end papers. But what is the story behind it? With clip-clopping
Thimble
by Rebecca Young illustrated by Tull Suwannakit reviewed by Sandy Driessens Attracted by the delightful, gentle illustration on the cover, then tracing my finger over the embossed lettering of “Thimble” with running stitch not quite lining up, I knew this book was going
Moonwalkers
by Mark Greenwood illustrated by Terry Denton reviewed by Kerry Neary Fifty years ago the world was held spellbound by grainy images of a man stepping from a ladder onto the surface of our nearest neighbour in space. A thrill of anticipation reverberated around
Ask an Illustrator: Caroline Magerl
Caroline Magerl in conversation with Mia Macrossan Caroline Magerl was born in Germany but now lives in Buderim, Queensland. She is an illustrator who has worked for years drawing for educational publishers, newspapers and magazines. She came to the notice of the
Rodney
by Kelly Canby reviewed by Kerry Neary Younger children will be entranced by the visual treat of colour pattern and white separation in this story of a small tortoise with his head figuratively in the treetops. How Rodney would love to join
Ron the Royal Guard
Written by Deano Yipadee Illustrated by Paul Beavis Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Have you ever thought about being one of those Royal Guards at Buckingham Palace? Ron the Royal Guard alternates between marching and standing at attention. He is also the object of
One Tree
Written by Christopher Cheng Illustrated by Bruce Whatley Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zabri One Tree is a tender narrative about the changes through generations, seen from the eyes of a little boy. Although he has been told that his grandfather was once a
Holly the Honeybee Dancing Star
Written by Gordon Winch Illustrated by Stephen Pym Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zabri Holly the Honeybee Dancing Star, a picture book which highlights a particularly clever trait of the honeybee is the third from duo Gordon Winch and Stephen Pym, who both have
The International Space Station
Written by Clive Gifford Illustrated by Dan Schlitzkus Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson This interesting work deals with the structure and workings of, and living conditions aboard, the International Space Station (ISS). With detailed, stylised illustrations complemented by simple, easy to understand fact boxes, a
Where’s Lucky?
Written by Jacqui Halpin Illustrated by Sandra Severgnini Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson Based on a true story, this is a beautifully illustrated, colourful and informative picture book highlighting both the tragedy of orphaned wildlife due to road kill and also the cost to,
Dragons in Picture Books
Our latest reading list is all about dragons - the fierce, the bold, the beautiful and also the hungry, the accident-prone, the sleepy, and the short-tempered. Here is a delightful introduction to the world of dragons for the very young
The Bug Collector
Written and illustrated by Alex G Griffiths Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Sunday is George’s favourite day of the week, because that’s the day he goes on adventures with his Grandad. On this particular Sunday, Grandad introduces George to the wonderful world of
Squish Rabbit’s Pet
by Katherine Battersby reviewed by Mia Macrossan This story starts at the endpapers as all good picture books should with Squish Rabbit peeking out from behind a large egg. The opening sentence defines the scope of this story with an impressive statement:
Mummy Cuddle
by Kate Mayes Illustrated by Sara Acton reviewed by Kerry Neary Cute may be as cute may look but there’s more to this delightful creation than shallow, sweet appeal. It’s a companion to Daddy cuddle by the same partnership, released in hardcover in
The Bear in our Backyard
by Emma Middleton illustrated by Briony Stewart reviewed by Kerry Neary Still fresh and joyful even after being around for about a year, this is a companion book to The lion in our living room, which starred the same sibling pair looking for
Squish Rabbit’s Pet
by Katherine Battersby reviewed by Kerry Neary You can’t take the cute out of books for early childhood readers. Where would iconic characters like Miffy and Spot be if they weren’t cute, as well as having their magical adventures. One of own
A Quiet Girl
by Peter Carnavas reviewed by Yvonne Mes Mary’s quiet conversations and ponderings are drowned out by the noise of tools, technology and toys used by her busy mother, brother and father. Mary is mostly content to be by herself surrounded by the
Under The Southern Cross
by Frane Lessac Reviewed by Kerry Neary This is a solo offering from the illustrating side of the partnership of Frane Lessac and Mark Greenwood, who create fascinating picture book interpretations of Australian folklore figures: Simpson and his donkey, Ned Kelly, Midnight
The Sleeping Beauty: The Story Orchestra
Retold by Katy Flint Illustrated by Jessica Courtney-Tickle Reviewed by Kerry Neary Music is as much a way of telling stories as producing beautiful melodies. When the beauty of music is represented through visual images and words we have some of the most
Eva’s Imagination
Written by Wenda Shurety Illustrated by Karen Erasmus Reviewed by Kerry Neary When children start at school, along with all the physical things they need, they must pack their imagination. In this story, Eva’s Mum makes sure it is there. It starts with pet
