How Did I Get Here?
Written and illustrated by Philip Bunting Reviewed by Lucy McGinley If your child is asking big questions such as, ‘How did I get here?’ then Philip Bunting’s book of the same name, is what you need. This humorous picture book goes a
The Dream Bird
Written by Aleesah Darlison Illustrated by Emma Middleton Reviewed by Sandy Driessens George is a little boy who plays all day but at night, struggles to go to sleep. Though the other members of his family make helpful suggestions, it is Gran
Rainbow Pups!
Written and illustrated by Sophie Beer Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zabri Rainbow Pups! is a board book aimed at infants and toddlers learning their colours. It features attractive digital illustrations of how three puppies meet and play together, accompanied by colour strip
The Hole
Written by Kerry Brown, Illustrated by Lucia Masciullo Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson If you were walking through the woods and a hole you came upon, would you stop and take a look? Or simply carry on? One by one, several animals come upon a strange black
Cloud Conductor
Written by Kelly Byrnes Illustrated by Anne-Marie Finn Reviewed by Danielle Freeland Debut children’s author, Kellie Byrnes, and well-published illustrator, Ann-Marie Finn, have come together to deliver the delightful and thought-provoking story of Frankie, a sometimes bed-ridden child, who sees possibilities in
Marvellous Mummy
Written by Katie Poli Illustrated by Giuseppe Poli Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Marvellous Mummy is a simple, sweet picture book for early childhood. The rhythm is established on the first page. First a statement and then evocative words that children will enjoy
Once Upon an ABC
Written by Sophie Masson Illustrated by Chris Nielsen Reviewed by Danielle Freeland Sophie Masson is a prolific writer who has written many books for children, many of which have been shortlisted or received awards. Illustrator, Christopher Nielsen, is a relative newcomer by
Baby Band
Written by Diane Jackson Hill Illustrated by Giuseppe Poli Reviewed by Lucy McGinley When I picked this up my first thought was that I’d read it before. There have been a few books written about the noises babies make and how this
Is It The Way You Giggle?
Written by Nicola Connelly Illustrated by Annie White Reviewed by Luise Manning Soft water colours make this 32-page picture book an adorable read. The end papers made me think of a birthday party but as the story unfolds it implies that we
See Hear: There’s Magic All Around You. What Can You See? What Can You Hear?
written by Tania McCartney illustrated by Jess Racklyeft reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zabri This colourful picture book is a playful catalogue of the senses of sight and hearing. It is delivered in the format of a book flipped halfway, as SEE starts at the
Lessons of a LAC
written by Lynn Jenkins illustrated by Kirrili Lonergan Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zabri This picture book is aimed at addressing the problem of anxiety and worry. We are introduced to Loppy, a peculiar-looking creature with stringy limbs and exaggerated eyes and lips. He lives
Where Does A Giraffe Go To Bed?
written and illustrated by Craig MacLean reviewed by Leslee Anne Hewson This picture book is the second book written and illustrated by Craig MacLean and published by Angus & Robertson. It is the bedtime book sequel to his debut book, What Noise Comes
My Sister
written and illustrated by Joanna Young reviewed by Sandy Driessens This beautifully illustrated picture book draws you into a gentle world of sisterly affection from the moment you touch the textured cover. Little red hearts on the cover and end papers prepare
Pugs Don’t Wear Pyjamas
by Michelle Worthington illustrated by Cecilia Johansson reviewed by Sandy Driessens With a front cover that indicates that pugs DO wear pyjamas, this book looks like it has a sense of humour. Tom likes staying with his Aunt Roz and looks forward to meeting
Wait! (Books That Drive Kids Crazy, Book 4)
by Beck Stanton illustrated by Matt Stanton reviewed by Renee Hills Wait! is the fourth in a series of picture books by Beck and Matt Stanton that are billed as Books That Drive Kids Crazy! Other titles include This is a Ball, Did
Held in Love
by Dawn Casey illustrated by Oamul Lu reviewed by Lucy McGinley This illustrated blessing, Held in Love, is the perfect gift for new parents. The author and illustrator will charm you with their peaceful book about unconditional love. Held in Love would be just
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
