The Hotel Witch
By Jessica Miller Reviewed by Sarah Custance Jessica Miller is the Australian born, and UK based, author of the award winning books Elizabeth and Zenobia and The Republic of Birds. The Hotel Witch is her third middle-grade novel. 11-year-old Sibyl is an avid
Rock Star Detectives: Murder at the Movies
By Adam Hills Illustrated by Luna Valentine Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian born comedian Adam Hills is best known as the host of the comedy show The Last Leg, Murder at the Movies is his second book for children and the second
Running with Ivan
By Suzanne Leal Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian author Suzanne Leal is the writer of The Teacher’s Secret, Border Street and The Deceptions, for which she has won multiple awards. Running with Ivan is Leal’s first novel for younger readers. Set 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
Tulips For Breakfast
By Catherine Bauer Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Catherine Bauer is an Adelaide-based former journalist who works full time as a media adviser. Her previous titles include the picture books Dreaming Soldiers and Australia Remembers: Len Waters. Tulips for Breakfast is a gripping, impactful
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
This Savage Song: Monsters of Verity Book 1
By V. E. Schwab Reviewed by Jane Swinton This is the first instalment in the popular Monsters of Verity series, first published in 2016, now repackaged in a handsome hardback collector's edition. V.E Schwab wrote the award-winning Shades of Magic series, Vicious
The Lorikeet Tree
By Paul Jennings Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Paul Jennings is a household name in the Australian children's book world. He has published numerous books, including Round the Twist which was made into a successful TV series. In 1995 he was made a
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
The Screaming Staircase: Lockwood & Co Book One
By Jonathan Stroud Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jonathan is has written many original and engaging fantasies such as the The Bartimaeus Quartet for middle grade, Scarlett and Browne for older readers and the Lockwood & Co series for upper middle grade/ young
Short Story Competition for adults writing for children
The 2023 Short Story competition for adults aged 18+ is now open for submissions. Due date for entries is April 2, 2023, the Shortlist will be announced on May 6, 2023, and the winner will be announced at the annual Narelle
Little Ash Series#5Party Problem! & #6 Lost Luck!
By Ash Barty, Jasmin McGaughey and Jade Goodwin Reviewed by Liane McDermott Party Problem! and Lost Luck! are the fifth and sixth books published in the Little Ash series. This junior fiction series is is a collaboration between three talented Indigenous women,
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
Dusty in the Outwilds
By Rhiannon Williams Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian author Rhiannon Williams is the mind behind the award winning Ottilie Colter and the Narroway Hunt Trilogy. Since the first book’s original publication in 2018, the trilogy has also been released in Dutch and
Spaceboy
By David Walliams and illustrated by Adam Stower Reviewed by Sarah Custance David Walliams is the much acclaimed UK author of over 30 picture books and novels, including The Boy in the Dress, Gangsta Granny, Fing, and The World’s Worst Children series.
The Gilded Ones #2: The Merciless Ones
By Namina Forna Reviewed by Caeleigh Hancock Namina Forma is a Sierra Leonean American and young adult author based in Los Angeles. Her debut novel The Gilded Ones was published in 2021. The Merciless Ones is the sequel to The Gilded Ones,
Book Links February Newsletter
Find out what is happening in the world of children's books this month with the Book Links February newsletter - of particular interest is the information targeting young writers and illustrators, you have to scroll down for the links. It's
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
Friday Barnes 11: Last Chance
By R A Spratt Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the latest instalment of the popular Friday Barnes series by R A Sprat who also wrote The Peski Kids, and The Adventures of Nanny Piggins. It's a while since I read a Friday
Always, Clementine
By Carlie Sorosiak Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Carlie is the author of two novels for young adults, If Birds Fly Back and Wild Blue Wonder and two other middle grade novels My Life as a Cat and I, Cosmo. She is very much concerned
Australia Remembers: Wartime Nurses – Care and Compassion
By Jacqui Halpin Reviewed by Liane McDermott Australia Remembers: Wartime Nurses – Care and Compassion is the sixth book in the Australia Remembers non-fiction series. The book takes the reader through a historical journey of Australia’s military nurses who have risked their
