Shibu’s Tail
By Tess Thomas and Kamwei Fong Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Shibu’s Tail is a gentle book by US author Tess Thomas and Malaysian artist Kamwei Fong. This is a pleasant addition to the ‘feelings books’ shelves, using a cat’s tail as
Harper Wells Renegade Timeline Officer
By Bethany Loveridge Reviewed by Meg Rowe Talented and versatile author/illustrator Bethany Loveridge’s debut middle grade novel Harper Wells Renegade Timeline Officer brings an original and imaginative take to the time travel genre and shines in its ability to bring Australian history
Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories (Special Edition)
By Jeff Kinney Reviewed by Sophia Evans Grab a flashlight, crawl under the covers, and dive into the twisted, unexpectedly hilarious world of Rowley Jefferson’s imagination. Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories is the perfect book for young readers who like a bit
Childish
By Morris Gleitzman Reviewed by Jenny Ruge Morris Gleitzman has for many years been one of Australia’s best-loved authors for children. With 45 books to his credit, he’s never afraid to tackle difficult subjects, with relatable characters often caught in sticky situations
You’re Too Little
Written & illustrated by Katie Stewart Reviewed by Sandy Driessens One evening, young Western Pygmy Possum sat in a stump gazing up into the tree far, far above her head, trying to work out the best way to climb up to taste
Kevin in a Stew
By Jacqueline Harvey & Kate Isobel Scott Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “Kevin the Sheep is living his dream … To run his own restaurant with a vegetable theme. Choosing Wolfie to cook is a bit of a twist … What will Kevin
Meet the Author: Tim Winton
Mia Macrossan talks to Tim Winton about his new book Ningaloo: Australia's Wild Wonder, reviewed in StoryLinks this week. Thank you for talking to StoryLinks You write with love and knowledge of this beautiful area. How, where when did you first get to
Ningaloo: Australia’s Wild Wonder
Written by Time Winton Illustrated by Cindy Lane Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Tim Winton is an internationally renowned Australian writer and conservationist, having written more than 30 books for adults and children. A four-time winner of the Miles Franklin Award and shortlisted twice
Earthspeak: boodjar wangkiny
By Sean McCann Illustrated by Jade Goodwin Reviewed by Margarite Igras Earthspeak is a debut book for Perth Noongar man, Sean McCann. Aimed at 4- to 8-year olds, and celebrating the land of his culture, he invites his reader to come with him
We Could Be Something
By Will Kostakis Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Every so often a book lights up with extra heart and soul from the author. Usually they’re debuts, but in Will Kostakis’ eighth book his light shines bright. Winner of the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards’
Why You Should Read Children’s Books Even Though You Are So Old And Wise
By Katherine Rundell Reviewed by Melissa Salisbury Katherine Rundell is a bestselling author of novels for children and an Oxford academic. Becoming one of these is no mean feat; becoming both and still being under 40 years of age tells you a little
Spud and Snowball and the Fancy Fish (Spud and Snowball, #1)
Written and illustrated by Judith Rossell Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Judith Rossell has made a name for herself as one of those rare creatures who can both write like a dream and illustrate her writing with quirky charming memorable images. She has
The 113th Assistant Librarian 2: Lost in a Book
By Stuart Wilson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Stuart is the author of the middle grade adventures set in Prometheus High, How to Make a Monster and its sequel The Books of the Dead, His current series, The 113th Assistant Librarian, is set in
No one is Home
By Mikolaj Pa and Gosia Herba, with Scotia Gilroy (translator) Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Mikolaj Pa is a Polish author and artist who has collaborated several times with illustrator Gosia Herba in a style that some liken to a ‘modern Richard
Mullets
By Nick Sharratt Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Welcome to baby’s first non-fiction information picture book about the cultural phenomenon known as the mullet. As depicted in a diagram on pp 4-5, the mullet hairstyle consists of a “short and choppy” front and
Hairy Holes: Book 2
By Brenton E McKenna Reviewed by Sophia Evans Brenton E. McKenna is a Yawuru artist based in Broome, WA. He is the first published Indigenous graphic novel author in Australia and Hairy Holes: Book 2 is the sequel to Hairy Holes It
Millie Mak Makes Her Mark
By Alice Pung Illustrated by Sher Rill Ng Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Millie Mak is back in the final instalment of this series for younger independent readers who enjoy contemporary realistic fiction that reflects both their lives and their relationships. Now she has settled into her
The Locked Room
By Adam Cece Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Andy wakes up with three other students from his school. Chad, the bully, Gabriella Lee, the leader of the elites, and a mysterious girl known as Nameless Girl. They’re in a room labelled K1. It has
Maisy Hayes is Not For Sale
By Allayne L Webster Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Maisy Hayes and her ideals are not for sale. But maybe she should be. There’s never enough money at home, she can’t go anywhere with her friends, and she can’t even land a scholarship
The Inside Dog
By Pip Harry & Carolyn Davis Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Pip Harry is well known in Australia for her work as editor and creator of books for teens and children. Here she has teamed up with debut picture book illustrator Carolyn Davis,
Dogs with Jobs
By Max Hamilton Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Max Hamilton is an award winning illustrator of The Beehive, Cockatoo, Neeka and the Missing Key (Wilder Zoo, #1) and more. Here she has written and illustrated a great introduction to the world of the working
The Forest King’s Daughter
By Elly Blake Reviewed by Lucille Rose The Forest King’s Daughter by Elle Blake is an epic YA romantasy following Cassia, wielder of the Ring of Light and daughter of the all mighty Forest King. The Sylvans and the Dracu have been
The Poisoned King: Impossible Creatures 2
By Katherine Rundell Illustrated by Tomislav Tomić Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Katherine Rundell, a noted John Donne scholar has another life as a much awarded children's author. She has written The Good Thieves, The Wolf Wilder, The Explorer aimed at middle grade and
Friday Barnes 13: In Plain Sight
By R. A. Spratt Reviewed by Tyrion Perkins R.A. Spratt is a UK born Australian author of many books including Hamlet is not OK, the Nanny Piggins series, several volumes of stories, and The Peski Kids series. She also has a podcast
Mango and Hopscotch
By Sophie Cunningham & Anil Tortop Reviewed by Margarite Igras Sophie Cunningham is an acclaimed Australian writer, teacher, speaker and advocate who was recognised for her advocacy in the literary community with an Order of Australia. Amongst her many novels, essays and
The Enemy’s Daughter
By Melissa Poett Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Putting a new spin on an old tale, The Enemy’s Daughter is the debut romantasy YA novel from Irish-Canadian author Melissa Poett. Full of tension to the very last line, the opening sentence sets the
2025 ARA Historical Novel Prize –Children & Young Adult Category
The Historical Novel Society Australasia (HNSA) is delighted to announce the shortlists for the Adult and the Children & Young Adult categories. SHORTLIST - CHILDREN & YOUNG ADULT CATEGORY The three talented authors, and their outstanding novels, selected in the Shortlist for
The Experiment
By Rebecca Stead Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Rebecca Stead is amazing how she breaks new ground with each new book. Her books include When You Reach Me, Liar & Spy, First Light, Goodbye Stranger, The List of Things that Will Not Change, and Bob and The Lost Library
Little Bee’s Year of Blooms
By Sarah Jane Lightfoot Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the board book format of the popular Down the Road, Little Bee, aimed at smaller and younger nature lovers. Sarah aims to 'celebrate the everyday magic of our neighbourhoods, encouraging readers to
Christmas Time!: Aussie Baby’s First Words 4
By Tom Jellett Reviewed by Mia Macrossan There is no end to Tom Jellett's creativity. Here is the fourth in the great series Aussie Baby's First Words called Christmas Time! New words to learn are Santa hat, tinsel, fairy lights, presents, mince pie,
