Valerie: Australia’s Bravest Sausage Dog
By Lucinda Gifford Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Lucinda, born in Scotland now working in Melbourne has illustrated over 40 books, ten of which she has also written, samples include Too Many Dogs, Grandma Murphy’s Pussycat and The Best Present Ever. Valerie's true story is a gift
Mr McGee
By Pamela Allen Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is another popular children's classic picture book made available as a board book. This perennial favourite first appeared in 1989 and has spawned a series of follow up adventures for the intrepid Mr McGee,
Saving Shark Pup
By Sharon Dalgleish & Amandine Thomas Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Sharon is the author of over 50 published fiction and nonfiction books for children, as well as numerous textbooks and resource books for primary/elementary school teachers. Melbourne- based Amandine is also an
Thorn Season
By Kiera Azar Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Thorn Season, the debut novel from British author Kiera Azar, left me with an emptiness that can only be filled with the next book in the series (release date TBC for Australia). Alissa has been hiding
Snowed in at the Wildest Dreams Bookshop
By Gracie Page Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Following on from her debut The Wildest Dreams Bookshop, British author Gracie Page returns to the quirky bookshop in Fox Bay for another romantic misadventure. Ivy spent her entire life dreaming of the day she
Neeka and the Storm (Wilder Zoo, #2)
Written by Tina Strachan Illustrated by Max Hamilton Reviewed by Lauren Spencer Tina Strachan is an Australian author who lives on the Gold Coast. After spending twenty years working and researching within the veterinary, zoo and wildlife conservation and research industry, Tina is
My Sister, the Todzilla
By Jacinta Froud & Matt Shanks Reviewed by Meg Rowe ‘It’s not long after lunch, I’m alone in my room when all of a sudden I hear a big … BOOM!’ Help! There’s a tired toddler on the loose! Will big brother be able
The Butterfly House
Written and illustrated by Harry Woodgate Reviewed by Margarite Igras Harry Woodgate (they/them) is an award-winning LGBTQ+ author and illustrator, whose debut picture book Grandad’s Camper followed by Grandad’s Pride, broaches the subject of diverse relationships for the younger readers. Little Milly
I Am Not Happy!
By Caroline L Perry & Sydney Hanson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Quokkas are known to be 'the happiest animal on earth', because of their perennially happy face. No matter what the inner turmoil, on the surface the quokka looks pleased and delighted.
The Sunbird Younger Readers’ Edition
Written by Sara Haddad Illustrated by Baraa Awoor Reviewed by Zewlan Moor I am old Give me back the stars of childhood That I may chart the homeward quest Back with the migrant birds, Back to your awaiting nest. Mahmoud Darwish This verse by Palestine’s most famous poet pre-empts
Book Links February 2026 NEWSLETTER
Here is the most up to date news of events in the KIDLIT world: find out about the new Children's Laureate, where and when the latest Romancing the Stars, and also important dates for your diary this year. BOOK LINKS NEWSLETTER Happy Reading
Turbo Turtle
By Greg Dreise Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Greg is a descendant of the Goomelroi/Kamilaroi and Euahlayi people of SW Queensland and NW New South Wales. He is the author of many stories and tales inspired by his Indigenous culture, including Circles of
Mission Moon: An Illustrated Guide to Space Exploration
By Sarah Mühlebach, translated by Marshall Yarbrough Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Space exploration is always a popular topic with young children and here is a compact overview from the first satelites to space travel today. Mühlebach, a Swiss writer and illustrator, has filled
Emmie
By Marjorie Crosby-Fairall Reviewed by Margarite Igras Marjorie was very young when she decided to become an illustrator. Today, after gaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustrations, she is an internationally published illustrator of over twenty children’s books. She received the
Here Come the Cousins
By Maggie Hutchings & Sarah Zweck Reviewed by Margarite Igras Maggie Hutchins is known for her humorous and engaging storytelling, with titles such as Unicorn, her debut work, Your Birthday was the Best and Be True to You (CBCA Honour Book). Here
Mega Rich Guinea Pigs
By Kate and Jol Temple Reviewed by Claire Monsour Kate and Jol Temple are experts on the wacky, funny, and heart-felt, and their latest collaboration is no exception. The world’s richest man, Mangus McAloon, just exploded into a million pieces in a rocket
Hello, Spring Baby!
By Jess Racklyeft Reviewed by Margarite Igras Jess Racklyeft is a prolific award-winning Australian author and illustrator, with over 40 picture books and board books under her wing. She won the 2022 CBCA Children’s Book of the Year for her richly detailed
Once a Villain: Only a Monster 3
By Vanessa Len Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey What if monsters are real – but they’re nothing like you expect? In Once A Villain, Joan faces the truth of everything monsters are willing to do, and desperately hopes they are capable of change. Especially
How to go to Big School
By Sarah Ayoub & Mimi Purnell Reviewed by Mia Macrossan When it's time to learn new things and grow is when you go to Big School is the beginning of this charming, warm-hearted picture book aimed at all those newbies going to
All About Starting School
By Felicity Brooks & Mar Ferrero Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Felicity has worked at Usborne for over 30 years and has written and edited hundreds of titles from books on tractors to genetics. Mar was a cartoonist before becoming an illustrator and
How to Have the Best School Year Ever
By Jess Sanders & Andrea Onishi Reviewed by Margarite Igras Jess Sanders is a social worker, educator and award-winning Australian author. She is well known for her Life Lessons For Little Ones Series, with titles such as You Can Do Hard Things,
A Murder is Going Down
By Kate Emery Review by Alison McCaffrey Claustrophobic? Paranoid? Afraid of being stuck in a lift? Then hold on to something, because you’re going to feel all that and more while immersed in the story of Heidi and her extended, and rather
Otto’s INK-redible First Day of School
By Rory H. Mather Illustrations by Rebel Challenger Reviewed by Sophia Evans Otto the Octopus just wants to fit in, but he tends to overthINK. And when he does, he releases lots of…INK! Otto the Octopus is starting school tomorrow and he’s shy.
Compassion
By Zanni Louise & Kim Drane Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian author Zanni Louis has written over forty books spanning all ages from picture books to teen fiction. This is the first in a new series called Handbooks for Little Humans, a
Handbooks for Little Humans: Confidence
By Zanni Louise & Kim Drane Reviewed by Margarite Igras. Bestselling and prolific Australian author Zanni Louise has completed her second book in the series Handbooks for Little Humans. This time her topic is Confidence, but she has flagged that she will
When The Mountain Wakes
Written and illustrated by Matt Shanks Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Author and illustrator Matt Shanks is probably best known to young readers for his many lively, humorous picture books, particularly his series of contemporary Australian nursery rhymes. His online journaling and
The Making of Martha Mayfield
By Jo Dabrowski Reviewed by Lauren Spencer Jo Dabrowski is an Australian author who has proven her capabilities as a diverse writer for children’s books. With her back-and-forth letters between boy and Broccoli in Dear Broccoli (2025) and the hilarities of awkward
Tart
by Beckl Jayne Crossley Review by Lucille Rose Tart by Beckl Jayne Crossley is a heart-felt, coming of age novel following the lives of two girls with one thing in common: Chipping Hollow. This little not-so-slice of heaven has been a source
Completely Normal (and Other Lies)
By Biffy James Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Elizabeth ‘Biffy’ James holds a Masters in Creative Writing from RMIT and has worked as a boarding house mother and high school teacher. Completely Normal (and Other Lies), her debut novel, was written during lockdown
Nush and the Stolen Emerald
By Jasbinder Bilan Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Jasbinder Bilan is a British middle grade author whose family moved from their farm in India to Nottingham, England when she was eighteen months old. She has worked as a teacher and studied a masters
