Hunter on Holiday, A Big Trip Around Europe
Written by Jessica and Stephen Parry-Valentine & illustrated by Ashlee Spink Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Hunter has a long, long list of places that she wants to see. She has her passport and boards a plane to take her on an adventure
What My Daddy Loves
Written and illustrated by Raissa Figueroa Reviewed by Margarite Igras Californian based Raissa Figueroa has written and illustrated this simple yet touching book about the special relationship between fathers and their children. She has dedicated this book to her dad and to
Santa’s Secret
By Mike Dumbleton & Tom Jellett Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Mike Dumbleton is a prolific writer who has created about thirty picture books, plus junior fiction and non-fiction, some YA, as well as anthologies and adaptations. In 2005 he received the Federal
The Nutcracker
By ET A Hoffmann Retold by Susanne Koppe, translated from the German by Anthea Bell Illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Many people are familiar with the ballet The Nutcracker but few have read the original story by E.T.A. Hoffman. For nearly
Nothing Ever Happens
By Heidi McKinnon Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Heidi McKinnon is the author and illustrator of many wonderfully offbeat picture books, including I Just Ate my Friend, It’s A Long Way to the Shop and the adorable Floof. Heidi has an enviable knack for taking highly relatable
Butterfly Girl
By Ashling Kwok Illustrated by Arielle Li Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian author Ashling Kwok likes to create children’s stories that speak to the heart. This picture book is about heart matters – the love of butterflies, loneliness, having to make new friends
Giovanni: A true story of survival – a voyage re imagined
By Crystal Corocher Illustrated by Margeaux Davis Reviewed by Margarite Igras The author, Crystal Corocher has written this heartfelt and historical story about how her ancestors from Veneto, Italy migrated to Australia in 1881. It is told through the innocent eyes of a
Begin Again: A map of our past and guide for our future
The Story of How We Got Here and Where We Might Go By Oliver Jeffers Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Oliver Jeffers is an award-winning and best-selling author and illustrator who’s responsible for some iconic contemporary children’s books, including The Day the Crayons
A Life Song
By Jane Godwin and Anna Walker Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Jane Godwin and Anna Walker are accomplished and celebrated Australian children’s book creators adept at bringing warmth, charm and a playful child-focused perspective to every publication. A Life Song is a
When Grandma Burnt Her Bra
By Samantha Tidy & Aśka Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian author Samantha Tidy tries to shine a light on the history of feminism and women’s rights, with this humorous yet passionate book for our younger readers. Together with Aśka’s informative and active
Walk With Us: Welcome to Our Country
By Adam Goodes, Ellie Laing & David Hardy Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Walk With Us is the fourth in the Welcome to Our Country series by anti-racism advocate and former footballer Adam Goodes, with Ellie Laing and David Hardy. Laing was
Nedingar: Ancestors
By Isobel Bevis and Leanne Zilm Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Nedingar: Ancestors is the debut picture book for Noongar creators Isobel Bevis and Leanne Zilm. A young child, depicted here as a bird, wants to meet their Ancestors. Their mother gently
Reading about Penguins: NEW Reading Resource
By Mia Macrossan There are many books about penguins. They appeal to almost everybody. Here is a list of picture books that, while always having a penguin as the main protagonist, are about a great variety of themes. All are available
The Turtle and the Flood
By Jackie French and Danny Snell Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jackie French writes across all genres — from picture books, history, fantasy, ecology and sci-fi to her much loved historical fiction for a variety of age groups. Her previous collaboration with Danny Snell
The Littlest Penguin and the Phillip Island Penguin Parade
Written & Illustrated by Jedda Robaard Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “I’ve met people who don’t like Christmas and cats and babies but I’ve never met someone who doesn’t like penguins” says Dr Peter Dann, Penguin Foundation Director, Phillip Island Nature Parks. The littlest
The Bill Dup
By Zewlan Moor and Simon O'Carrigan Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray The Bill Dup is the second picture book release for author Zewlan Moor and one of many for illustrator Simon O’Carrigan, who specialises in Australian landscapes and built environments. Both have
Meet Mim
By Sandra Severgnini Reviewed by Sandhya Parappukkaran Sandra Severgnini’s newest picture book, Meet Mim, has a cover that exudes mystery. The murky sea blue-green background, curious wide-eyed fish and drops of black ink dripping off the title perfectly sets up the reader
In My Garden
By Kate Mayes & Tamsin Ainslie Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Kate Mayes has written quite a few picture books including Daddy Cuddle and Mummy Cuddle, and my favourites The Bum Book, The Christmas Bum Book and The Easter Bum Book, the last
Giinagay Gaagal (Hello Ocean)
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. On Melissa's matriarchal side, she is a Gumbaynggirr custodian with strong ties to Bundjalung and Dunghutti.
These Little Feet
By Hayley Rawsthorne. Illustrated by Briony Stewart Reviewed by Helen Gearing ‘These little ears, so tender and dear. The songs they will love, the noises they’ll fear.’ As all book lovers know, there is a special, timeless magic to a good picture book
The Dunggiirr Brothers and the Caring Song of the Whale
By Aunty Shaa Smith with Yandaarra Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This children’s picture book with strong messages about caring for country and each other is the result of a collaboration between the Yandaarra Collective and the University of Newcastle. Yandaarra, a Gumbaynggirr word meaning shifting
How Do You Say Hello
By Ashleigh Barton and Martina Heiduczek Reviewed by Mia Macrossan There are many different ways to greet and say hello to people. Language uses both speech and the body to communicate and that means there is an endless variety to investigate and
Mr Chicken Goes to Mars
By Leigh Hobbs Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Leigh Hobbs is an Australian artist and author. He is best known for the humorous children's books which he has written and illustrated, including the Mr Chicken series, Horrible Harriet and Old Tom series. He
Nightsong
By Sally Soweol Han Reviewed by Sandhya Parappukkaran Australian-Korean author and illustrator Sally Soweol Han, who won the 2023 Children’s Book Council of Australia New Illustrator award for her beautiful picture book Tiny Wonders, has created another book of wonders. In Nightsong, Han
Just Because
By Matthew McConaughey & Renée Kurilla Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Just because I’m in the race, doesn’t mean I’m fully ready. Just because I’m shaking, doesn’t mean that I’m not steady. Using a series of rhyming couplets accompanying compelling vignettes, this new book could be your mindfulness
The Gargoyle
By Zana Fraillon & Ross Morgan Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Forced off his rooftop to make way for a new urban development in a barren cityscape, the old gargoyle packs a battered suitcase and boards an train going who knows where. But
The Daring Tale of Gloria the Great
Written by Jacqueline Harvey illustrated by Kate Isobel Scott Reviewed by Margarite Igras Jacqueline is one of Australia’s most popular authors having sold over two million copies of her Alice-Miranda, Clementine Rose, Kensy and Max and Willa and Woof series. With her
Nothing Alike
By Zewlan Moor Illustrated by Peter Cheong Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Nothing Alike is the debut picture book for author Zewlan Moor. It cleverly tells the story of a white boy who cannot distinguish between two classmates of Asian origin – a
Granbad
Written by Penny Tangey Illustrated by Peter Baldwin Reviewed by Margarite Igras With a background in comedy, television and working in museums, Penny now writes fiction for young people. Granbad, her first picture book is a humorous story about a grandfather who actively
How to Hatch a Dragon
Written and illustrated by Nick Bland Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Nick Bland is the creator of the popular series that started with The Very Cranky Bear and includes The Very Itchy Bear. How to Hatch a Dragon is the first in a
