The Bear in our Backyard
by Emma Middleton illustrated by Briony Stewart Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Spoiler alert. The Bear in our Backyard is a companion picture book to last year’s popular The Lion in our Living Room. Whereas the lion was an imaginative version of their father,
Drawn Onward
by Meg McKinlay illustrated by Andrew Frazer reviewed by Sue Wright I love small presses, and Fremantle Press is a pretty fabulous small press. Drawn Onward by Meg McKinlay and Andrew Frazer is one of the latest picture books from Fremantle Press,
Nanna’s Button Tin
by Dianne Wolfer illustrated by Heather Potter Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zabri A little girl is on a mission to find a button to replace Teddy's lost eye. It has to be just the right shape, the right size and the right
Storm Whale
by Sarah Brennan illustrated by Jane Tanner Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zabri This is a captivating story of three brave sisters working together to rescue a stranded whale. Sarah Brennan grew up in Tasmania and often saw whales washed up at her local
Yoga Babies
by Fearne Cotton illustrated by Sheena Dempsey Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson This lovely, gentle, and at times quirky picture book introduces children and parents to the calming nature of Yoga. The colourful, cheeky illustrations of the babies and their favourite toys or pacifiers
Happily Ever After: The Little Mermaid
by Alex Field illustrated by Owen Swan Reviewed by Maria Parenti-Baldey Happily, Ever After, The Little Mermaid is a retold story. It’s about Ariel, the little mermaid, who longed to see the world above. In this story Ariel is 14 going on
Anzac Stories – Picture Books
To help commemorate ANZAC DAY on April 25, a solemn day of remembrance of those Australian and New Zealand Army Corps soldiers who have fought and died for their country, and is marked annually on the anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign
Ash Dresses her Friends
by Fu Wenzheng Ash Dresses her Friends is a classic picture book about a quiet but steadfast animal. Like Ferdinand by Munro Leaf, it has a striking cover in red, black and white, with decorative silhouettes of flowers. Where Ferdinand’s peers come
The Very Noisy Baby
written and illustrated by Alison Lester The Very Noisy Baby is a sweet early childhood picture book about a baby who mimics animals sounds. One by one people are drawn together in their quest to find their missing animal be it
Mopoke
written and illustrated by Philip Bunting This is an attractive picture book with stylised illustrations reminiscent of Jon Klassen and plenty of humour. The book is set out with the illustrations on the right of each spread on a black background and
Scarface Claw, Hold Tight!
by Lynley Dodd As an author honoured for her contribution to children’s literature, expectations for Dame Lynley Dodd’s long awaited next instalment were naturally high. Scarface Claw, Hold Tight! does not disappoint and Dodd delivers a fun lively tale that’s based
The World’s Worst Pirate
by Michelle Worthington illustrated by Katrin Dreiling Little Pink Dog Books 2017 32 pp hardback $24.95 ISBN 978-0-9946269-1- Reviewed by Maria Parenti-Bradley When The World’s Worst Pirate bobbed on my horizon, I thought what could possibly be different about this pirate book? It’s a gregarious
The Fox and the Star
written and illustrated by Coralie Bickford-Smith Particular Books/Penguin Australia 64 pp paperback $19.99 hardback $35.00 ISBN 978-1-846-14850-7 The Fox and the Star is an outstanding book, to be enjoyed by all ages and one to keep and treasure forever. It was first
The Lion in Our Living Room
by Emma Middleton illustrated by Briony Stewart Affirm Press 2017 32 pp hardback $21.99 ISBN 9781925584226 This is the story of two children, a boy and a girl, and their dog who wonder if ‘the mighty lion’ may come out and play
Parmesan the Reluctant Racehorse
by Jacqui Halpin illustrated by John Phillips Little Pink Dog Books 2017 32 pp hardback $21.66 ISBN 9780994626929 This picture book for young children is about Parmesan the reluctant racehorse who actually thinks he is a dog. Both his parents are famous
The Amazing Monster DetectoScope
written and illustrated by Graeme Base Viking/Penguin 2017 28 pp hardback $29.99 ISBN 9780670079308 This is another quality picture book by Graeme Base and a great addition to his other titles. As in all his books the detailed illustrations are remarkable, as
