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
Grannysaurus
By David Walliams Illustrated by Adam Stower Reviewed by Mia Macrossan David Walliams is the prolific popular author of The Boy in the Dress, Marmalad the Orange Panda, The World's Worst series and many more. Many have been illustrated by the English illustrator Adam
Amazing Mum
By Alison Brown Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Alison Brown is an English writer and illustrator who has also written the companion title Amazing Dad. Amazing Mum show mums in action – snuggling in bed reading a book to her children, magically finding
The Month that Makes the Year
Written and illustrated by Inda Ahmad Zahri Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Described as a joyful celebration of the spiritual practice of Ramadan, The Month that Makes the Year fills an important gap in the contemporary Australian picture book landscape. Such books
Jacob’s New Dress
By Sarah and Ian Hoffman Illustrated by Chris Case Reviewed by Barbara Braxton There are many costumes to choose from in the class dress-up corner – firemen, dragons, farmers, knights in shining armour – but Jacob insists on wearing the princess dress complete
Duckling Runs Away
By Margaret Wild and Vivienne To Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is another miniature masterpiece from Margarite Wild who has been writing for children for ever and never gets it wrong. She has published over seventy picture books for young children, been
Bobby’s Castle
Written & illustrated by Paul Beavis Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Bobby is set in his ways … he’s the king of his castle. Nothing changes and he likes it that way. Then Salma arrives … She wants to jump and dive and play
Hope is the Thing
By Johanna Bell and Erica Wagner Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Emily Dickinson’s poem ‘Hope is the Thing with Feathers’, first appeared in 1891. Over a hundred years later, dynamic creatives Johanna Bell and Erica Wagner have reframed the message in a
The Sun and the Mayfly
By Tang Tang & Zhang Xiao Reviewed by Sandy Driessens When curious Little Mayfly meets the Sun, they form an unusual friendship. But can the Sun answer Little Mayfly’s most intriguing question? This is the story of a Little Mayfly who hatches from
The Last Crayon
Written & illustrated by Fifi Colston Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Fifi Colston is a New Zealand writer, illustrator, wearable arts designer and costume props maker for the film and television industry. Her previous work that she wrote and illustrated herself include Where's
The Easter Bum Book
By Kate Mayes & Andrew Joyner Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This team has previously produced The Bum Book which is, in the words of Andrew, ' a book for anyone who has a bum or knows someone with a bum. It's a celebration of my bum and your bum and the whole
Timeless
By Kelly Canby Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Kelly is an award winning artist whose works include The Hole Story, which won the 2018 Western Australian Premier’s Book Award for Writing for Children, and Littlelight . She is also responsible for the vibrant
Going To Big School
Written by Laura Sieveking Illustrated by Danielle McDonald Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Making the transition from home, kindy or daycare to ‘big school’ is a huge milestone for kids and families alike. My youngest starts high school this year and, to
Koko and the Coconut
By Turia Pitt & Celestine Vaite Illustrated by Emilie Tavaearii Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Caught in a grassfire while competing in a 100 km ultramarathon in 2011, Turia suffered full thickness burns to 65 per cent of her body but she survived to
Family All That You Dream It To Be (Teeny Tiny Stevies)
By Byll & Beth Stephen Illustrated by Simon Howe Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The Teeny Tiny Stevies have written many cheerful popular songs for children. This particular picture book is a reimagining of their song, Family (Love is Love). A girl and her mum
Sleep Through the Night (Teeny Tiny Stevies)
By Byll Stephen & Beth Stephen Teeny Tiny Stevies Illustrated by Simon Howe Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Sisters Byll and Beth Stephen are the band, Teeny Tiny Stevies which won an ARIA Award for the 2020 Best Children's Album 'Thoughtful Songs For Little People'. Now
Starting School
Some resources prepared by The National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature Inc. Starting School and School Days — Experiences we remember Remember your school days? Who can forget the angst, fear, anticipation, dread, and excitement experienced over so many years? Australian authors and
All Bodies Are Good Bodies
By Charlotte Barkla and Erica Salcedo Reviewed by Margarite Igras Charlotte Barkla’s debut picture book has turned up the volume with this playful, and noisy book about children’s bodies. Together with Erica Salcedo’s colourful, and animated illustrations and the lively rhyming text,
From My Head to My Toes, I Say What Goes
By Charlotte Barkla & Jacqui Lee Reviewed by Margarite Igras Charlotte Barkla has followed up her debut picture book, All Bodies Are Good Bodies, with this empowering exploration about respectful body boundaries. Together with Jacqui Lee’s illustrations, the author has created an assertive
Big Feelings and What They Tell Us
By Rebekah Ballagh Reviewed by Margarite Igras Rebekah, who has both written and illustrated this book, has used her background in counselling to create an instructive book about emotions for children. In the opening text she says Emotions are messages from the
Our Home On Wheels
A Big Trip Around Australia Written by Jessica and Stephen Parry-Valentine Illustrated by Ashlee Spink Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The authors have a passion for filmmaking and photography, they are well-known for their YouTube travel series: Flying the Nest is a popular travel channel
The Christmas Bum Book
Written by Kate Mayes Illustrated by Andrew Joyner Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Kate possibly has a fixation on bums as she has also written The Bum Book and The Easter Bum Book and here she is now with The Christmas Bum Book again
A Very Playschool Christmas
By Jan Stradling and Jedda Robaard Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The iconic children's program Playschool has been on TV for more than forty years encouraging generations of Australians to wonder, to feel and to imagine. Jan has worked for the ABC for
Meerkat Christmas
By Aura Parker Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Aura is a creator whose previous published books include Meerkat Splash, Goodnight Glow Worms and The Silly Seabed Song. Her work is characterised by a joyful energy, a sense of fun and lots of play. This
Best Books of 2022
At this time of year we ask our reviewers to select the best books they have read this year. Here is the result which should provide some wonderful holiday reading and maybe some ideas for seasonal gift giving. Just click
Zola and the Christmas Lights
By Melina Marchetta and Deb Hudson Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Zola loves living on Boomerang Street with her mum and her Nonna and next door to her cousin Alessandro in a little house in a little street in a little suburb in a
