Feelings are Wild
By Sophy Williams & Gavin Scott Reviewed by Margarite Igras Sophy Williams is the author of The ABC of Cuddles and her second picture book is a counting book that includes emotional vocabulary to help children understand their challenging, and at times
Dorothy
By Jordan Collins and Myo Yim Reviewed by Margarite Igras Jordan Collins was born in Chicago, Illinois and moved to Australia when they were eight years old. Their heritage is African-American Greek-Australian. They have also written Where?, reviewed in StoryLinks by Lara Cain
Breathe In and Out
By Jan Stradling and Jedda Robaard Reviewed by Margarite Igras This picture book is part of a series called A Mindfully Me Story, inspired by the Play School TV show, written by Jan Stradling a former Executive Producer of the Play School
How To Be A Friend
By Sarah Ayoub & Mimi Purnell Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Ayoub has written the YA novels Hate is Such a Strong Word, The Yearbook Committee and The Cult of Romance as well as collaborating with Purnell in two other picture books, The Love
The Crayons Go Back to School
By Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This creative team is known to many for the first in the 'crayon' series, The Day the Crayons Quit, 2018, and other crayon adventures. Drew Daywalt has also written The Legend of
Ready, Set, Big School
A Play School Mindfully Me book about starting school by Play School, Jan Stradling, illustrated by Jedda Robaard Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is another title in the excellent Mindfully Me series produced by Play School. Previous titles include Beginnings and Endings, reviewed for StoryLinks by
Christmas books
A selection of new and old favourites for everyone to enjoy and share at Christmas. Christmas Books
STAND OUT Picture Books 2023
Picture book creators continue to amaze and delight with their imaginative response to our world. The boundaries of what is considered suitable for a picture book continue to expand. Writers, illustrators, authorstrators - all are gleefully ranging far and wide
Run Pups Run
By Kerri Day & Nicky Johnston Reviewed by Margarite Igras Kerri Day is a former primary school teacher who enjoys writing stories which encourage younger readers to discover the natural world, explore language, sounds, and creative thinking. This is her second book.
The Elf on the Shelf’s Night Before Christmas
By Chanda A. Bell Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson and Theo, aged 8 Following on from the previous Elf on the Shelf books (2005 to present day) this title is the latest by this author who is affectionately known as Santa’s Chief Storyteller.
Parcel for Turtle
Written & illustrated by Shelley Knoll-Miller Reviewed by Sandy Driessens 'Parcel for Turtle!' shouts a dolphin-riding Post-Seagull. He skillfully delivers the beautifully wrapped parcel by fishing line and you soon discover why. Turtle and his friends are stranded! Pesky pelicans are blocking their
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.
