Spotlight on 2022 Short Story Shortlist: Meredith Downes
Here is the first of our spotlights on our shortlisted writers. Meredith Downes has been shortlisted for her short story 'The Pop Girls', a subtle story about a girl immersed in swimming but who still observes what happens around her
The Way of Dog
By Zana Fraillon Illustrated by Sean Buckingham Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Verse novels are becoming increasingly popular and more and more are being published. Their way of telling narrative is intense and focused, using poetic techniques such as metaphor, simile, repetition, imagery and
2022 Book Links Annual Lecture in Children’s Literature
This lecture by Dr Robyn Sheahan - Bright will survey a range of contemporary responses to social issues in children’s literature, and how social activism is reflected in texts by both Australian and international authors. It will canvas the concerns
May Book Links News
Read all about what is happening in the world of children's literature this month in the Book Links Newsletter out now May looks to be a very busy month, with Brisbane Writers Festival this week, Book Links Romancing the Stars at Coomera Anglican College on
2022 Long list Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction
Book Links is proud to announce the 2022 Shortlist for the annual Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction. Eight stories from Australia have been chosen from more than thirty entries for the award. Entries included picture books, middle grade
Dungeon Academy: No Humans Allowed!
By Madeleine Roux and illustrated by Tim Probert Reviewed by Sarah Custance The roleplaying tabletop game ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ has been seen monumental success since it’s release in 1974. It has recently gained a new fanbase in younger audiences with schools now
The Smart Cookie
By Jory John and Pete Oswald Reviewed by Sarah Custance Picture Book writing team Jory John and Pete Oswald are at it again in their new book The Smart Cookie. This is part of their series of books which include, The Bad
My First Book of Aussie Animals
By Gordon Winch and Stephen Pym Reviewed by Sarah Custance My First Book of Aussie Animals is the newest addition to the series of My First Book of’s by Gordon Winch and illustrated by Stephen Pym, which follows on from My First
Shortlist for 2022 Short Story Competition for writers 18+
The art of the short story is alive and well. We are thrilled to announce the shortlist for this year's short story competition for writers aged 18+. This year we had a record 43 entries from which the judges chose
Under the Moonlight
Written and illustrated by Susannah Crispe Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Susannah Crispe is a Canberra-based children's book author and illustrator, with a background in zoology and a passion for beautifully crafted books. Under the Moonlight is all about overcoming a fear of
Let’s Build a Backyard
By Mike Lucas & Daron Parton Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Mike Lucas is an engineer who writes children's books which include Let's Build a House, Vanishing and Olivia's Voice, a 2018 CBCA Notable book. In Let's Build a Backyard he takes the
Girl on Fire
By Alicia Keys and Andrew Weiner Illustrated by Brittany Williams Reviewed by Sarah Custance Alicia Keys has won 15 Grammy Awards for her singing and song writing. She is also an actresss, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and is celebrated worldwide for her humanitarian work. Girl
The Last Light Horse
By Dianne Wolfer Illustrated by Brian Simmonds Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian author Dianne Wolfer has won numerous awards for her many children’s books that range from picture books, to middle-grade readers, and in this case, short historical fiction books. The Last Light
Alfie the Brave
By Richard Harris Illustrated by Simon Howe Reviewed by Sarah Custance Some may know Dr Richard ‘Harry’ Harris, not for writing children’s books, but for his work as a member of the international cave-diving team that rescued a young soccer team from rising
The Velveteen Rabbit
By Margery Williams Bianco Illustrated by Helene Magisson Reviewed by Sandhya Parappukkaran The Velveteen Rabbit, a classic tale written by Margery Williams Bianco, first published in 1922, has no doubt enjoyed a cosy place in many hearts, children and adults alike. This edition
Marmalade the Orange Panda
By David Walliams Illustrated by Adam Stower Reviewed by Sarah Custance David Walliams is a powerhouse of children’s literature, his middle-grade fiction books have sold over 45 million copies worldwide and have been translated into 55 languages. Marmalade the Orange Panda is Walliams’
Shockingly Good Stories
By R. A. Spratt Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd A. Spratt is the NSW-based author of the hilarious middle grade series Nanny Piggins, Friday Barnes and The Peski Kids. She also launched a popular podcast, ‘Bedtime Stories with R. A. Spratt’, in early
Walking in Gagudju Country: Exploring the Monsoon Forest
Written by Diane Lucas and Ben Tyler Illustrated by Emma Long Reviewed by Des. Crump Diane Lucas moved to Kakadu in her late twenties; Ben Tyler is a Bininj man from Kakadu while Emma long is an accomplished art educator living in Darwin.
Story Doctors
Written by Boori Pryor Illustrated by Rita Sinclair Reviewed by Des. Crump Boori Monty Pryor was born in Townsville, North Queensland. His father is from the Juru people of Cape Upstart from the Bowen region. His mother is a descendant of the Gurubana
Today’s Sun
Written and illustrated by Gregg Dreise Reviewed by Des. Crump Gregg Dreise is a proud Kamilaroi and Euahlayi writer and illustrator who shares stories and culture through his colorful books. Younger readers have been engaged with his previous books on birds, e.g.,
Lucky Bunnies
By Zanna Davidson Reviewed by Sarah Custance UK author Zanna Davidson has written many books for young readers including the popular Fairy Unicorns series as well as Billy and the Mini Monsters series. She has also written a few books for the
The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Easter Picnic
By Eric Carle Reviewed by Sarah Custance German-American author Eric Carle is probably best known for his famous picture book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which was first published in 1969 and has gone on to sell over 50 million copies and been
The Unfunny Bunny
By Adrian Beck and illustrated by James Hart Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian author and TV producer Adrian Beck is known best for his children’s book series such as, Derek Dool, Stuff Happens, Little Legends (co-written with Nicole Hayes), and Kick it
Mim and the Woeful Wedding : The Travelling Bookshop #2
By Katrina Nannestad Illustrated by Cheryl Orsini Reviewed by Sarah Custance Mim and the Woeful Wedding is the second book in The Travelling Bookshop series by Australian author Katrina Nannestad. Nannestad is also the acclaimed author of four other young reader book series:
Dogs in Disguise
By Peter Bently and John Bond Reviewed by Sarah Custance Perfectly paired in this wonderfully outrageous rhyming picture book, Dogs in Disguise, is author Peter Bently and illustrator John Bond. The book can be neatly described in its opening lines of: “Dogs
Let’s Go! On a Helicopter
By Rosalyn Albert & Natalia Moore Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the latest in the popular Let's Go! series by the same creators where children explore the world on various modes of transport such as a train, a submarine, a fire
Everything You Want To See
By Kyle Hughes-Odgers Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Kyle is an Australian artist who has worked here and overseas. This is his first book for children ( as far as I can establish) Everything You Want to See is a board book illustrating a
Amma’s Sari
By Sandhya Parappukkaran Illustrated by Michelle Pereira Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the second book by this creative team who produced the CBCA Notable book The Boy Who Tried To Shrink His Name, about a boy whose very long name causes him
Ten Minutes to Bed: Little Dinosaur
By Rhiannon Fielding and Chris Chatterton Reviewed by Sarah Custance Ten Minutes to Bed: Little Dinosaur is part of the bestselling bedtime series by Rhiannon Fielding and Chris Chatterton, where each book takes place in its own special section in ‘The Land
Poo. Spew and Other Gross things Animals Do!
By Nicole Gill & Romane Cristescu Artwork by Rachel Tribout Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Talking about natural bodily functions and secretions can make some laugh, some squirm with embarrassment and others instantly curious. So this book that looks at not just poo, but also
