Diary of a Rescued Wombat: The Untold Story
By Jackie French and Bruce Whatley Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the twentieth anniversary of the publication of the first book about Mothball, the lovable wombat who has stolen the hearts and minds of countless children. It has even been commemorated
Kunyi
By Kunyi June Anne McInerney Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Kunyi June Anne McInerney is a Yankunytjatjara woman, born on a station near Oodnadatta in South Australia in 1950. When she was four years old, she was taken with three of her
Twice the Love
Written by Inda Ahmad Zahri Illustrated by Nabila Adani Reviewed by Mia Macrossan According to Twins Research Australia multiple birth numbers have remained relatively consistent in Australia over the last ten years with about 4,248 multiple births last year. That's a lot of
Jorn’s Magnificent Imagination
By Coral Vass and Nicky Johnston Reviewed by Sarah Custance Jorn’s Magnificent Imagination is the first collaboration between author Coral Vass and author/illustrator Nicky Johnston. The picture book shows us moments in the life of Jorn Utzon, the famous designer of the
Sticking Out
Written by Terri Owbridge Illustrated by Emma Stuart Reviewed by Margarite Igras Terri, a proclaimed introvert, in her debut picture book shares her valuable life lesson, that social interaction can be fun. The colourful, lively Illustrations by Emma Stuart add emotional depth to
Where?
By Jordan Collins and Phil Lesnie Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray The first spread of this thought-provoking new release shows a child with their woollen hat pulled down over their ears. The words ‘Where are you from?’ pulse around them – Where?
The House on Pleasant Street
By Sofie Laguna & Marc McBride Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This successful multi-award winning creative team has come up with a delightful story to celebrate Halloween, one that celebrates families of all kinds. Alby and his unusual family have just moved into the
The Very Hard Book
By Idan Ben-Barak Illustrated by Philip Bunting Reviewed by Sandhya Parappukkaran The Very Hard Book is the second book collaboration by the compelling partnership of Idan Ben-Barak and Philip Bunting. This book explores big concepts such as meta-cognition and philosophy of the mind
Meanwhile Back On Earth – Finding Our Place Through Time and Space
By Oliver Jeffers Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Oliver Jeffers is a brand unto himself these days. If you’re a fan I presume you’ll read this book, review or no review. From kid favourite The Day The Crayons Quit to How To Catch A Star Jeffers
My Deadly Boots
By Carl Merrison, Hakea Hustler and Samantha Campbell Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray ‘Clothes maketh the man’ is an old-fashioned proverb, but a sentiment that plenty still embrace. It suggests that people judge you by your clothes, but also that wearing certain
Charlie’s Whale
By Libby Gleeson and Hannah Sommerville Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Charlie’s Whale is the latest release from multi award winning Australian author Libby Gleeson, brought to life by illustrator Hannah Sommerville with delicate seascapes and nuanced characterisation. The narrative focus is young Charlie, who
Painting for Picture Books: A Guided Walk through Piano Fingers
Lara Cain Gray in conversation with Caroline Magerl “There’s no cure for what ails creative people,” said artist, author and vivid storyteller Caroline Magerl as she guided visitors around Piano Fingers, an illuminating exhibition of picture book art, running throughout
Sloth Slept On
Written and illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon Reviewed by Mia Macrossan I am a great fan of Preston-Gannon's work since seeing her illustrations in I Am The Seed That Grew The Tree, a collection of nature poems selected by Fiona Waters. Frann has
Frank’s Red Hat
By Sean E. Avery Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Frank is a penguin with ideas. Some are better than others but often they are not so good.. So when he he shows the other penguins his strange new creation, they are very nervous.
Storm Goliath
Written by James Sellick Illustrated by Craig Shuttlewood Reviewed by Margarite Igras This attractive and instructive picture book about anger management has very expressive illustrations and includes an introduction to some creative language to explain the behaviour. Goliath the gorilla can move from feeling
Snuggled Away
Written by Cate Storey Illustrated by Sarah Matsuda Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Good night little one, snuggle down tight. The animals are just beginning their night. The night sky is illuminated by the moon and the stars. In the darkness the Australian bush
Owl and Star
By Helen Milroy Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Helen is a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Her previous books include Backyard Beasties also reviewed in StoryLinks. Here she has written and illustrated in her inimitable and
It’s Time All Possums Went To Bed
Written by Jacqui Halpin Illustrated by Gavin Scott Reviewed by Margarite Igras This is a playful and beautiful Australian bedtime time story, that oozes with the love between mother and child. With every excuse Milly comes up with, mother is there willing to
Egg
Written by Clare Atkins Illustrated by Harrison Vial Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Out in the vast blue ocean, something bobs in the waves. Alone. A strange egg has washed up onto the shore of the island of cooked eggs. It is the same
How We Came to Be: Surprising Sea Creatures
Written and illustrated by Sami Bayly Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Anything by Sami Bayly is guaranteed to be well researched and magnificently illustrated. Her other books The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Dangerous Animals 2020, The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Peculiar Pairs in Nature 2021,
Violin and Cello
Story by Catherine Greer Illustrated by Joanna Bartel Music by Alexander Lau Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is an inspiring story for any child beginning to learn a new instrument. Two children live in the same apartment block but they have never met. They
Dirt By Sea
By Michael Wagner Illustrated by Tom Jellett Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Michael Wagner is a children's author, speaker and storyteller. He writes for early childhood and for older children and his recent books include Why I Love Footy also illustrated by Tom Jellett. Tom
Finding You
By Robert Vescio Illustrated by Hannah Sommerville Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Robert has written more than 20 books for young children. He calls himself 'a storyteller because I love to spin a good yarn!' His writing is characterised by a sensitive understanding of
How Do You Say I Love You?
Written by Ashleigh Barton Illustrated by Martina Heiduczek Reviewed by Sandy Driessens People express their love with different gestures and words. Come on journey around the world and learn how love is expressed in diverse languages, traditions and across generations. Ashley Barton has
Kind
Written and illustrated by Jess McGeachin Reviewed by Margarite Igras This beautifully illustrated picture book has a surprisingly loaded title. Yes, it is about the different kinds of creatures that inhabit our tiny spinning dot/the perfect place, in all of space/And only
My Favourite Teachers
Written by Robin Feiner Illustrated by Beck Feiner Reviewed by Margarite Igras Teachers are not only found in schools. They are all around us – in the community, the family, sports coaches, neighbours and even volunteers. This book shines a light on the
Be Careful, Xiao Xin!
Alice Pung and Sher Rill Ng Reviewed by Sandhya Parappukkaran From award winning author Alice Pung and renowned illustrator Sher Rill Ng, here is a gem of a book. Be Careful Xiao Xin is a powerful story about love and conquering fears.
The Zebra’s Great Escape
By Katherine Rundell Illustrated by Sara Ogilvie Reviewed by Mia Macrossan What a treat this is, a new book by two award winning creators. Katherine is the author of The Explorers, The Good Thieves and One Christmas Wish and more, while Sara creates
Ella and the Useless Day
Created by Meg McKinlay & Karen Blair Reviewed by Barbara Braxton When Dad takes a tumble in Ella's room because it is so full, just like the rest of the house, it is clearly time for a clean-out. And so, together, they
Milly and the Mulberry Tree
Written by Vikki Conley Illustrated by Deb Hudson Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Milly’s Mulberry tree is the centre of her world. One Day Milly helped her Papa plant a tree, right in the middle of the garden, “so it can grow with us”. As
