When the Lights Went Out
By Lian Tanner & Jonathan Bentley Reviewed by Helen Gearing By the same powerhouse creators as the award-winning Ella and the Ocean, When the Lights Went Out is a visually stunning and warm-hearted story about new experiences and the joy of community. The
The Doll Box
By Deborah Kelly & Joanna Bartel Reviewed by Margarite Igras With the present-day interest in family ancestry in mind, here is a poignant story about three maternal generations of women, their personal stories of resilience, strength and self-belief in overcoming life challenges,
Jeff Giraffe The Great Escape
By Amelia McInerney & Alexandra Colombo Reviewed by Margarite Igras Amelia McInerney has written several funny stories for young children, each with endearing characters, engaging storylines and appealing titles, such as The Book Chook (CBCA Notable Book), Who Fed Zed, and
100 School Days
By Deborah Frenkel & Laura Stitzel Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian author Deborah Frenkel has written this story based on her daughter’s experiences in her first year of school. It is a celebratory story that will connect with parents, school children and
The Little Street Library
By Amy Adeney & Erin McClean Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Street libraries have become very popular in Australia and they are a common sight in the major cities. In Australia there is an organisation where you can buy a little library to
The Truck Cat
By Deborah Frenkel & Danny Snell Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is a bit of a dream team of writer and illustrator: Deborah Frenkel has written quite a few picture books including the charming Naturopolis, illustrated by Ingrid Bartkowiak, reviewed in StoryLinks,
Cheer Up, Blobfish!
By Julie Murphy & Rachel Tribout. Reviewed by Margarite Igras Julie Murphy has written this wonderful story about a real but very unusual fish that exists in the very deep ocean around Tasmania. She has used her background as a trained zoologist
Boots
Written by Elizabeth Pulsford & illustrated by Krista Brennan Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “Boots was waiting … waiting for his Farmer”. “Boots was just a pair of boots” but his life started when a young Queensland cattle farmer first put him on. He
Mr McGee and his Hat
By Pamela Allen Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Generations of children have grown up enjoying the iconic picture books of Pamela Allen. Her many titles include the popular Who Sank the Boat, published in 1983 and still in print, Bertie and the Bear,
The Sea in Me
Written by Cody Simpson with Jess Black, illustrated by Amandine Thomas Reviewed by Margarite Igras Cody Simpson, Australian swimmer, singer-songwriter, and actor has now added author to his list of achievements. Throughout his varied career, he has always maintained his love of
Be True to You!
Written by Maggie Hutchings and illustrated by Hayley Wells Reviewed by Margarite Igras Using her background as a counsellor dealing with children struggling with aspects of their identity, free-spirited mother and grandma Maggie Hutchings has written this positive and uplifting picture book
The Very Polite Knight
By Ian Smith Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is a charming picture book for children aged 3+. I hope they are not put off by the title, since they may expect a boring story about the value of being well- mannered. The king
Sunday Skating
By Andrea Rowe & by Hannah Sommerville Reviewed by Claire Monsour “When the weekend settles, and Sunday rolls around…”, five friends set off on a Sunday skate. With a click, a clatter, a whoosh, and a whirl, the friends are ready to
Alone
By Scott Stuart Reviewed by Claire Monsour It’s hard being alone, especially in the darkness of space. So, Earth decides to look for a friend; but the other planets aren’t exactly friendly. When something strange comes hurtling towards her, Earth’s hope for
A Teaspoon of Light
By Peter O’Connor & Nisaluk Chantanakom Reviewed by Sandhya Parappukkaran A Teaspoon of Light is a stunningly beautiful picture book which stands out like a ray of sunshine on a dark day. Peter O’Connor is the Director of the Centre for Arts
Reading to Baby
By Margaret Wild & Hannah Sommerville Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Margaret Wild is the award winning author of many picture books including Jenny Angel (which was inspired by her brother's death at the age of seven), illustrated by Anne Spudvilas, Fox, illustrated by Ron
The Garden of Broken Things
By Freya Blackwood Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray The Garden of Broken Things is the latest offering from lauded author and illustrator Freya Blackwood. As may be expected of an accomplished creator, it’s a beautifully constructed journey in which the pictures and
Grey
By Laura Dockrill & Lauren Child Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Today I am grey. I don't feel sunshine yellow, or balloon orange bright, or treetop green
Three Dresses
By Wanda Gibson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This richly illustrated picture book by Nukgal Wurra author–artist Wanda Gibson is a retelling of her joyful childhood beach holidays in Far North Queensland. Wanda Gibson is a Nukgal Wurra woman of the Guugu Yimithirr people
Miimi and Buwaarr, Mother and Baby
By Melissa Greenwood Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Melissa Greenwood was born on her Gumbaynggirr jagun (homelands) in Coffs Harbour and raised between both Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung nations. Her carefully crafted stories include Giinagaay Gaagal, Hello Ocean, My Little Barlaagany, Sunshine, and Miimi
Where is the Green Sheep
By Mem Fox & Judy Horacek Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Mem Fox has written more than 40 books for children, including the award-winning and much-loved picture books Possum Magic and Where is the Green Sheep? which is celebrating 20 years in print this year
Quokka Finds a Friend
By Katie Stewart Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Katie Stewart is a West Australian author who has written several picture books all featuring iconic Australian animals. They include When I Can Fly, Wombat Can't Sing (both reviewed in StoryLinks), Where Do The Stars
How to Measure the Ocean
By Inda Ahmad Zahri Review by Zewlan Moor Inda Ahmad Zahri is an author, illustrator, surgical doctor and scuba diver. She was inspired to create this book when her daughter said, 'What I love about numbers is that they go on and
Listen Hippo!
Written and illustrated by Gabriel Evans Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Gabriel Evans is a Western Australian children’s book author and illustrator who works primarily in watercolour and pencil. His books include Blue Flower by Sonya Hartnett, shortlisted for the CBCA Picture Book
Boss Cat
By Sarah Speedie & Tom Jellett Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Sarah Speedie's debut picture book, Mozzies vs Flies was shortlisted for the Speech Pathology Australia, 2022 Book of the Year awards. Tom Jellett has illustrated many children's picture books including Why I Love Summer
What Stars Are For
Written and illustrated by Margeaux Davis Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Margeaux Davis is a soft toy and sewing pattern designer, who has a background in environmental education. This beautifully illustrated story is her debut picture book. Henry is a garden snail who normally
Circles of Life
By Gregg Dreise Reviewed by Margarite Igras Indigenous Kamilaroi, Gregg Dreise, is an award-winning author, illustrator, artist, musician, and storyteller. He travels around Australia, giving entertaining and educational talks sharing his culture, traditional art, and music with the younger generation. Circles of
Time to Rest
By Jack Carty & Natasha Carty Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “The sun is sinking low, my darling, the birds are in their nests. And you have spent the day exploring, so now it’s time to rest. …”. This is the opening stanza of
The Last Zookeeper
By Aaron Becker Reviewed by Barbara Braxton In a not-so-futuristic time, the Earth has flooded and the waters continue to rise. The only signs of humankind are the waterlogged structures they left behind. Peeking out from the deluge are the remnants of a
Mitchell Itches An Ezcema Story
By Kristin Kelly & Amelina Jones Reviewed by Margarite Igras Kristin Kelly is a former nurse and primary/preschool teacher who was inspired to write this book after having a child in her classroom with severe eczema. She is familiar with the condition
