Mim and the Baffling Bully : The Traveling Bookshop #1
By Katrina Nannestad Illustrated by Cheryl Orsini Reviewed by Sarah Custance Katrina Nannestad is the award-winning Australian author of over a dozen middle-grade novels including the much acclaimed The Girl, the Dog and the Writer in Rome series as well as the CBCA
House of Hollow
By Krystal Sutherland Reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes In House of Hollow, Krystal Sutherland has tapped into a rich store of fairy tales and folklore to mine the concept of the changeling, a tradition found in many nations from Ireland to Scandinavia to
Afghanistan Reading Resources
People have been writing fiction and non-fiction about the plight of children living in Afghanistan for many years. Here is a timely collection of reading resources that cover a multitude of subject - the subjugation of women and girls, the
Illuminae – Absolutely BRILLIANT! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ (+♥)
By Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Aaron Ding Aaron Ding is 11 years old with a passion to write stories, and is always looking for ways to improve them! What is your favourite character? (And why?) The Artificial Intelligence Defence
Devils in Danger
By Samantha Wheeler Reviewed by Sarah Custance Samantha Wheeler is the bestselling Australian author of Smooch & Rose, Spud & Charli, Everything I’ve Never Said, and her wildlife focused books Mister Cassowary, Wombat Warriors, and Turtle Trackers. Devils in Danger is her
Amira’s Suitcase
By Vikki Conley Illustrated by Nicky Johnston Reviewed by Sandy Driessens How endearing is the cover of this book? The luggage label, stains, stickers and earthy colours draw you to this little girl with the hopeful look on her face. “It was growing in
Great British Illustrators: their life and work in pictures
The Guardian newspaper does a wonderful series called Great Children's Illustrators. Here are some to enjoy: John Burningham over a long career has created much-loved characters such as the balalaika-playing mouse Trubloff and the mighty, bully-defying Avocado Baby Angela Barrett's striking and
The Boy Who Tried To Shrink His Name
By Sandhya Parappukkaran, Illustrated by Michelle Pereira Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is something completely different. Debut author Sandhya Parappukkaran has written a charming and thought-provoking story about a boy who is struggling with his very long name. As you can see the
Hello World
By Lisa Shanahan Illustrated by Leila Rudge Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Lisa is the author of several award winning books including Bear and Chook by the Sea and Big Pet Day. Here in collaboration with the talented Leila Rudge she has created another
We Go Way Back
By Idan Ben-Barak Illustrated by Philip Bunting Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Idan Ben-Barak is the author of Do Not Lick This Book and actually has a PhD in the history and philosophy of science. Philip Bunting is author and illustrator of many books
Who Fed Zed
By Amelia McInerney Illustrated by Adam Nickel Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Amelia McInerney is a humorous picture book author. Her titles include The Book Chook illustrated by Connah Brecon, My Bird, Bertie, illustrated by Shane McG and Bad Crab, illustrated by Philip Bunting. Adam Nickel's illustration style
The Very Itchy Bear
Written and illustrated by Nick Bland Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Nick Bland is an author/illustrator who now lives in Darwin. This is one from his popular Bear series which include The Very Cranky Bear, The Very Noisy Bear and The Very Sleepy
Gordo the Guardian
A Nigh-Time Adventure by Inge Daniels Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Inge Daniels was born in The Netherlands and now lives in Melbourne. Gordo the Guardian is her debut picture book as author/illustrator. This engaging story is set in the Australian Age of Dinosaurs
Fil and Harry
By Jenny Blackford Illustrated by Kristin Devine Reviewed by Sarah Custance Jenny Blackford is an Australian author whose previous book The Girl in the Mirror won the 2020 Davitt Award for Best Children’s Crime Novel. Fil and Harry is Jenny’s second middle grade
Train Party
Created by Karen Blair Reviewed by Zewlan Moor This is a perfect picture book by experienced creator, Karen Blair, illustrator of With Nan and Puddle Jumpers. The rhyming text is a delight to read, from the first moment of being drawn in: We’re
Michelle Obama : Little People Big Dreams:
By Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara Illustrated by Mia Saine Reviewed by Sarah Custance The Little People Big Dreams series has had much commercial and critical success in the last two years with over sixty books in the ever-growing series. Michelle Obama is the
Mr Bat Wants A Hat
By Kitty Black Illustrated by Laura Wood Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Lucy Black is an Australian author who has written several picture books and her latest features a cute little black bat who exhibits all the self-centredness of a very young child without
Sugar Town Queens
By Malla Nunn Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Malla Nunn, a South African now living and working in Australia, writes adult crime novels as well as YA fiction. This is her second YA title after the much praised When The Ground Is Hard.
Where Are You, Magoo?
Written and illustrated by Briony Stewart Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Magoo is back.! You may remember We Love You Magoo by Briony Stewart reviewed here and shortlisted for the Children's Book of the Year Award: Early Childhood. Briony both creates and illustrates
Skulduggery Pleasant #14 Dead or Alive
By Derek Landy Reviewed by Leonard Cavallaro, aged 12. Leonard is an aspiring author with a love of fantasy. Who is your favourite character? Describe them and tell us why you like them. Arch-Cannon Damocles Creed is the perfect blend of intelligence and evil.
Frankie Goes to Kindergarten
By Peta Baxter and Connie Hemmens Illustrated by Marjory Gardner Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Frankie is actually a real and much-loved kindy dog in a real kindergarten here in Queensland. In the book we see a typical day in the life of Frankie,
Boo Loves Books
By Kaye Baillie Illustrated by Tracie Grimwood Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This uplifting story illustrates how an anxious child's friendship with a rescue dog can help both of them. Phoebe is shy and nervous about her reading because she is not
At the Dog Park
By Moira Court Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This picture book will appeal to very young children, those aged about two plus It is very simple and very clever using dogs at the dog park in all their splendid variety to illustrate opposites
Megamonster
By David Walliams Illustrated by Tony Ross Reviewed by Isabela Newman, age 9 Who is your favourite character? Larker. I like her because she is so brave and always looks at things in a positive way. ( I also like her because she makes
New Historical Fiction
New this month Children’s Historical Fiction List For parents and teachers looking for recent novels to spark a child's interest in humanity's past here is the LONGLIST of the 2021 Book Links Children’s Historical Fiction Awards. All these books, written and published in
Yellow Truck Road Train
by Mandy Tootell reviewed by Mia Macrossan Mandy Tootell lives in Katherine in the Northern Territory with her husband, a road train driver, and her two sons. Although Mandy is primarily a printmaker, she enjoys a range of art-making. She is
Junior Reviewers Wanted
StoryLinks is looking for new young reviewers. If you are a keen and discerning reader, enjoy talking about books and would like to have your views published then copy and paste the form below onto a word document. Fill it in
In My Mosque
Written by M. O. Yuksel Illustrated by Hatem Aly Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zahri This vibrant and welcoming book is a literary ‘walk-through’ of a building that is central to Muslim communities everywhere. Along with architectural features, the reader is treated to glimpses
When The Sakura Bloom
By Narisa Togo Translated from the Japanese by Michael Sedunary Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zahri This is a beautiful book about Japan's most iconic blooms. In a Japanese town, the cherry blossom trees are ever present, and ever changing. As the townsfolk rush
The Katha Chest
By Radhiah Chowdhury Illustrated by Lavanya Naidu Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zahri A katha is a light quilt made from layers of old cotton saris stitched together. These comforting quilts are ubiquitous in South Asian homes, and can now be shared in the
