My Little Barlaagany (Sunshine)
By Melissa Greenwood Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Author and artist Melissa Greenwood is a Gumbaynggirr woman, from the mid-north coast of NSW. She is a custodian of the language and culture of the region and is passionate about weaving the intricacies
A Friend for George
By Gabriel Evans Reviewed by Margarite Igras Award-winning creator Gabriel Evans, who has also illustrated works for Sonya Hartnett and Jane Goodwin has written a heart-warming and insightful book about the meaning of friendship and what it means to be a good
We Are Matildas
By Shelley Ware & Serena Geddes Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray There are quite a few books in the early reader and middle grade space celebrating Australian sports and sporting heroes, but fewer to be found in picture books. We Are Matildas
Nice and Slow
By Sarah Ayoub Illustrated by Mimi Purnell Reviewed by Margarite Igras We know how busy life can be and the importance of having time out to reset and spend quality time with the people we love. Well, take note of this family. They have
Desert Jungle
By Jeannie Baker Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Despite being surrounded by mountains of rock and cacti, the boy prefers to sit inside and experience the world through the screen of his tablet. He fears going far from his home because he has
Our Dragon
By Mem Fox & Linda Davick Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Mem Fox shot to fame with her instant classic Possum Magic way back in 1983. She has worked with many different illustrators such as Judy Horacek for Where is the Green Sheep?
Stay for Dinner
By Sandhya Parappukkaran Illustrated by Michelle Pereira Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Winner of the 2024 Multicultural NSW Award This is the third time these two have teamed up and it is always a wining combination. You may remember The Boy Who Tried To Shrink
When I’m Big
By Karen Blair Reviewed by Margarite Igras Karen Blair is an award-winning Australian illustrator and author of children’s picture books. Here she has taken a new and humorous twist on welcoming a new baby to the family and more so, to the
What Will You Make Today?
By Maura Pierlot Illustrated by Triandhika Anjani Reviewed by Margarite Igras This non-fiction picture book, written by the award-winning author, playwright and filmmaker, Maura Pierlot is packed with wonderful full-page illustrations by Triandhika Anjani. What will you make today? is a child centred book,
Parcel For Gorilla
By Shelley Knoll-Miller Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Parcel For Gorilla is a companion read to Parcel For Penguin, and part of a series of 4 – so far. This lighthearted story makes clever use of the ‘what’s inside the box’ narrative
Harriet’s Hungry Worms
By Samantha Smith & Melissa Johns Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is Samantha's first eco picture book which she hopes will inspire readers to become young 'wormwarriors'. Melissa is an artist and illustrator whose artworks are predominantly made of recycled materials. In Harriet's
Shadow Catchers
By Kirsty Murray and Karen Blair Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Shadow Catchers is a charming romp through a day in the life of two siblings, their dad, and their shadows. In the early morning light, the shadows touch the ceiling as
This Old Thing
By Cassandra Webb Illustrated by Tony Flowers Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian author Cassandra Webb has teamed up with the wonderful illustrator Tony Flowers to create This Old Thing, a poignant historical picture book. We follow a young boy as he searches his house
Anchored
by Debra Tidball and Arielle Li Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray It feels like a long time since we’ve seen boats as main characters in a picture book. It’s a useful device, though, allowing a story about separation to unfold gently, without
Hello, Emma Memma
By Emma Watkins and Oliver Brian Illustrated by Kerrie Hess Reviewed by Margarite Igras The beloved character from the Wiggles has transformed into a new person called Emma Memma. This book introduces her and shows how she metamorphoses into a beautiful butterfly called
The Garden at the End of the World
By Cassy Polimeni & Briony Stewart Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Reading a picture book is often the first time a child is introduced to some interesting aspect of life on this planet. It is truly amazing to discover the range and variety
Mulga Bill’s Bicycle: Poem
By A B Paterson Illustrated by Kilmeny and Deborah Niland Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This gorgeous new edition of the classic children’s picture book is celebrating 50 years in print. The Niland sisters have illustrated many children's picture books over the years and
Cloudspotting
By Samantha Tidy & Susannah Crispe Reviewed by Sandy Driessens ‘When the light changes through my bedroom window, it’s time.’ It’s time for the sun to appear on the horizon and the adventure to begin, for a little girl and her father. This
Tap! Tap! Tap! Dance! Dance! Dance!
By Hervé Tullet Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Hervé Tullet’s interactive picture book, Press Here, was ahead of the curve when first released to delighted readers in 2010. It’s now quite common to find these ‘meta’ books on our shelves; titles that break
Satin
By Sophie Masson Illustrated by Lorena Carrington Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Every morning early, when no-one’s about, Satin slips out of the forest and walks along the sleepy sunrise streets, looking for blue… Satin is an atmospheric new release from an award winning creative
Charlie’s Swim
By Edith Wright Illustrated by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Edith proudly acknowledges her Bardi heritage and this story is about her uncle, Charlie D' Antoine, a Bardi man who grew up near Ardiyooloon. Charmaine, an artist and activist, is a descendant
Parcel for Penguin
By Shelley Knoll-Miller Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Shelley is an Australian illustrator with a love of storytelling – the sillier the better. Parcel for Penguin is the third in the series after Parcel for Koala and Parcel for Gorilla. Penguin is surprised and
Mama’s Chickens
By Michelle Worthington and Nicky Johnston Reviewed by Margarite Igras This picture book is written from personal experience by Australian author Michelle Worthington who was diagnosed with Progressive Non fluent Aphasia – a form of dementia, with symptoms including memory loss, difficulty
Dorrie
Written & illustrated by Tania McCartney Reviewed by Sandy Driessens In the Land of the Long White Cloud, where the mountains kiss the sea, lived a little girl called Dorrie. She loved to dance and sing and play piano, but best of
Ten Blocks to the Big Wok : A Mandarin Counting Book
Written & illustrated by Ying-Hwa Hu Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Ten blocks to the Big Wok! Mia cheers. Mia and Uncle Eddie are going to Uncle’s favourite dim sum restaurant in Chinatown and along the way, they count and enjoy icons that
Picturebook Makers
By dPICTUS Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is a fascinating book for anyone interested in the process of picture creation. Originally published in Sweden, this English edition has been edited by Sam McCullen who also wrote the introduction. In it he says The
Easy Peasy
By Ky Garvey & Amy Calautti Reviewed by Margarite Igras Ky is a mother to two boys who are both diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and ADHD. Through her experiences with her boys, she has been inspired to write stories that turn
Say Hooray
By Renae Hayward & Rebecca Mills Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is Renae’s second children’s book, her first was Barking Mad. Rebecca is a prolific graphic designer and illustrator, whose illustrations have have been used in puzzles, on clothes, stamps and even surfboards. In
Bush Birds
Written & Illustrated by Helen Milroy Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “Little birds, big birds, all different kinds. How many bush birds can you find?” From an inquisitive little Blue Wren to an emu booming out his song, this beautiful picture book identifies Australia’s
Grandma’s Guide to Happiness
By Andrew Daddo Illustrated by Stephen Michael King Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Andrew Daddo, well known for his work on TV is the author of Goodnight, Me and many others while Stephen Michael King is the much awarded illustrator of more than 80
