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
Dragon Post
Written & illustrated by Emma Yarlett Reviewed by Mia Macrossan UK based creator Emma Yarlett is someone to look out for as she writes and illustrates original brightly coloured appealing picture book for children aged 3+ that often have a gentle underlying
When I Can Fly
Written & illustrated by Katie Stewart Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Little Boobook is determined to go to the city, ‘when he can fly’. From his home, the city lights are so pretty and the noises sound exciting. Though his mother shows him
Shadow Wall
Written by Olivia Coates Illustrated by Anastasia Bukhnina Reviewed by Margarite Igras Former kindergarten teacher Olivia Coates' debut picture book is an insightful story about the link between colour and your feelings, especially the feeling of loneliness. Scarlet loved to paint with her grandma
If I Were a Lion
Written by Kitty Black Illustrated by Giuseppe Poli Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Western Australian author, Kitty Black, has written another early childhood picture book about her favourite topic, feelings. If I were a Lion speaks to a child’s need to be fierce, wild
Mr Impoppable
By Trent Jamieson and Brent Wilson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Trent is a Brisbane writer of adult speculative fiction and picture books. His first picture book was the hauntingly beautiful The Giant and the Sea. Brent Wilson is a prolific artist whose
Where Will the Sleepy Sheep Sleep?
By David Metzenthen Illustrated by Jonathan Bentley Reviewed by Mia Macrossan David has long been a writer of award winning middle grade books such as Boys of Blood and Bone, One Minute's Silence and Augustin and the Hot Air Balloon which was long
Heavy
By Dannika Patterson & Davilyn Lynch Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Dannika Patterson has built a reputation for gentle storytelling from a child’s perspective. Previous popular titles like Jacaranda Magic and Scribbly Gum Secrets invite the reader to see the natural world through a child’s imagination
Poo Face
By Andrew Daddo and Jonathan Bentley Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Everyone has a poo face, according to this new release from picture book stalwarts Andrew Daddo and Jonathan Bentley. ‘We’ve all got one because we all do one. Every day.’ The immediate appeal
Who’s the Gang on Our Street?
By Susanne Gervay and Nancy Bevington Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Who’s the Gang on our Street? is a delightful surprise package from Susanne Gervay, a prolific and respected luminary of the Australian children’s literature scene. The cover design shows a gang
An A to Z of Dreaming Differently
By Tracey Dembo and Lucia Masciullo Reviewed by Yvonne Mes This exuberant alphabet book features a positive affirmation for children a letter at time. Each letter has a short message that encourages children to be their authentic selves while embracing theirs and
One Little Duck
By Katrina Germein and Danny Snell Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray The element of surprise is one of the best narrative tools for engaging young readers. One Little Duck uses this device to great effect, setting expectations by using the title and
Leaf-light
By Trace Balla Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Trace creates graphic novels and children’s books about connecting with country and community. A self-described ‘story catcher’ she finds inspiration in nature and incorporates local plant and animal species into her detailed, cartoon-style drawings. She
Business Chickens
By Jess McGeachin Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Most chickens make good business chickens. They’re neat, arrive on time and they take everything seriously … and then there’s Fran. She’s none of those things. She likes bright colours, is never on time and
Queensland Literary Awards 2023 Shortlist
Congratulations to all! Children’s Book Award 2023 shortlist The Way of Dog by Zana Fraillon (University of Queensland Press) Judges' comments: A mistreated puppy’s attempt to reconnect with his ‘ManPup’ becomes an odyssey of tragedy, hope, and love. Told in visceral poetry and illustration,
Beginnings and Endings
a Play School Mindfully Me book about death and life By Jan Stradling & Jedda Robaard Reviewed by Helen Gearing Beginnings and Endings is the second instalment in the Play School Mindfully Me series, a collection designed to ‘[help] children and their parents
Amazing Dad
By Alison Brown Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Alison Brown is the creator of Amazing Mum and the soon to be published Amazing Brother so we can see that she has a thing going for looking at and presenting families in all their
Parcel for Koala
By Shelley Knoll-Miller Reviewed by Margarite Igras Shelley Knoll-Miller is an Australian illustrator who loves storytelling. She has written a series of picture books including Parcel for Turtle, Parcel for Gorilla and Parcel for Penguin. In her latest book, Parcel for Koala,
The Lucky Shack
By Apsara Baldovino and Jennifer Falkner Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This story of time passing for a little shack by the sea is a picture book debut for both creators. It is told from the shack's point of view which is a
Edward the Emu
By Sheena Knowles and Rod Clement Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Edward the Emu is celebrating its 35th anniversary. It has lost none of its charm or relevance and continues to be both hilarious and moving. This successful team also created the sequel
Pasta!
By Felice Arena and Beatrice Cerocchi Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Felice Arena is well known as an actor, speaker, TV presenter and playwright. He has written many award winning books including the Specky Magee series, the historical novels Fearless Frederic, The Boy
Mr Chippa The Woodblock Carver of Bagru
By Lee Fullarton Reviewed by Mia Macrossan In 2014 Lee, an artist from Ipswich, lived in India and spent time working with the woodblock carvers of Bagru, a town on the outskirts of Jaipur in Rajasthan. This experience was the inspiration for
Dolly Parton’s Billy the Kid Makes it Big
By Dolly Parton with Erica S Perl Illustrated by Mackenzie Haley Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Legendary Dolly Parton has a passion for improving literacy and is working to do that through her organization “Imagination Library”. Since it started in 1995, she has mailed
Birdie Lights up the World
By Alison McLennan & Lauren Mullinder Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Birdie the penguin was the chosen one. It was her job to light up the world every night, with her song. This was her great responsibility. Her friends depended on her to
Speech Pathology Awards 2023 Shortlist announced
Book of the Year Awards Each year Speech Pathology Australia conducts its Book of the Year Awards to recognise and celebrate Australia's best books for children's language and literacy development and to promote the crucial role speech pathologists play in supporting
