An Unexpected Hero: Pow Pow Pig 1
By Anh Do Illustrated by Peter Cheong Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Anh Do has written many books for young people, all of them wildly popular. They are usually heavily illustrated, simply written with an easily accessible story and a message that appeals to
Australian Verse Novels Bibliographies
Exciting new resource lists from The National Centre for Australian Children's Literature An electronically linked team are delighted to advise of the completion of two new bibliographies on Australian Verse Novels. Verse novelists Sally Murphy and Kat Apel, and Centre volunteers, Ruth
What Do You Do To Celebrate?
Written by Ashleigh Barton Illustrated by Martina Heiduczek Reviewed by Zewlan Moor This is the third picture book collaboration between Ashleigh Barton and Martina Heiduczek. The first two, What Do You Call Your Grandpa? and What Do You Call Your Grandma?, were highly
A Bedtime Full of Stories
Collected and retold by Angela McAllister Illustrated by Anna Shepeta Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Angela McAllister has written more than 80 books for children, so she knows what appeals. Here she has gathered together an eclectic mix of short stories that are perfect
Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Life
By Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan Illustrated by Angela Rizza & Daniel Long Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This a really fabulous book about dinosaurs published by Dorling Kindersley. I know there are so many out there but this one is a stand out, it is stunningly
Following Frankenstein
By Catherine Bruton Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Mary Shelley's Frankenstein has had an enduring impact on the hearts and minds of all who read her ground-breaking book. The monster created by Frankenstein out of plundered corpses has entered the public consciousness and
Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief
By Katrina Nannestad Illustrated by Martina Heiduczek Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is very much a companion volume to the award winning We Are Wolves, same topic, same illustrator, same book format but this time instead of seeing World War II from a
Little Bilby’s Aussie Bush Christmas
By Yvonne Mes Illustrated by Jody Pratt Reviewed by Mia Macrossan We first met Little Bilby in Little Bilby's Easter Egg Hunt, and now he and his friends are travelling through the bush accepting Christmas gifts from various iconic Australian animals with which
Worst. Holiday. Ever.
By Charlie Higson Reviewed by Melissa Salisbury Illustrated by Warwick Johnson-Cadwell Charlie Higson, author of the Young Bond books and The Enemy series, excels at humorous and heart-warming middle grade in Worst. Holiday. Ever. Twelve-year-old Stan is a shy, anxious, skinny kid from a
Fozia and the Quest of Prince Zal
By Rosanne Hawke Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson This is the third book in a series by multi award winning Australian author, Rosanne Hawke, which began with Kelsey and the Quest of the Porcelain Doll (2014) and its sequel Jehan and the Quest of the
Daughter of the Deep
By Rick Riordan Reviewed by Sarah Custance Rick Riordan is the international bestseller of over 30 novels including the much-acclaimed Percy Jackson series. Daughter of the Deep is the first in a new series for Riordan inspired by Jules Verne’s unforgettable character,
Marcie Gill and the Caravan Park Cat
By Monica McInerney Illustrated by Danny Snell Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian author Monica McInerney is the internationally bestselling novelist of many novels and short story collections for adults. Marcie Gill and the Caravan Park Cat is her first delve into children’s books. 10-year-old
Pony
by R.J. Palacio Reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes Looking at the attractive cover of this book, one could be forgiven for thinking that Pony, by R.J. Palacio, is a book about a boy and his pony. However, Pony is so much more. The
Stellarphant
By James Foley Reviewed by Mia Macrossan James Foley makes picture books, middle-grade novels and comics for kids. He is the author/illustrator of the popular My Dead Bunny, In the Lion, and The Last Viking. Many of his titles have won honours,
Bluey: Sleepytime
By Joe Brumm Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Bluey is familiar to many from the award-winning preschool ABC TV show about the six year old blue heeler pup, and her family, Chilli her mum who works at airport security, Bandit her dad, an
The Astonishing Chronicles of Oscar from Elsewhere
A Kingdom and Empires book By Jaclyn Moriarty Illustrated by Kelly Canby Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the fourth title set in the Kingdoms and Empires aimed at middle grade readers. Her previous award winning titles are The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte
The Secret Battle
By Pam Rushby Illustrated by Fiona McDonald Reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes Pamela Rushby’s previous historical fiction novels have included The Ratcatcher’s Daughter (2014) and The Mummy Smugglers of Crumblin Castle (2020). In each, her love of history shines through and this also true
Rosie the Rhinoceros
By Jimmy Barnes Illustrated by Matt Shanks Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Rosie is a rhinoceros But she's not one of those fierce, scary, armour-plated monsters that amble across the African plains always ready to charge unwary travellers. She's charming and pleasant and always
Book of Curious Birds
By Jennifer Cossins Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the latest information title by Australian author and artist, Jennifer Cossins, whose previous titles include the A - Z of Endangered Animals, 101 Collective Nouns, The Baby Animal Book and many more. All
My Brother Ben
By Peter Carnavas Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The latest book by award winning Peter Carnavas is a touching story of two brothers set in an area north of Brisbane, around Cabbage Tree Creek and inspired by Peter’s memories of growing up near
Concealed wins Children’s Short Story Competition 2021
We are thrilled to announce that Merryana Day has won this year's competition with her exciting story, Concealed. Congratulations Merrayana. The judges found the story to be suspenseful and fast-paced, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Thanks to
Dragon Skin
By Karen Foxlee Illustrated by Dale Newman Reviewed by Mia Macrossan It is always something to celebrate when Karen Foxlee publishes a new book. She never writes the same thing twice. Each of her stories is different and come straight from the heart.
The Supernatural Survival Guide
by George Ivanoff. Reviewed by Mia Macrossan George Ivanoff is a Melbourne author who’s written more than 100 books. The Supernatural Survival Guide is the latest title in his Survival Guide series which include The Australian Survival Guide and The Human Body
Nelson 3 : Eggplants and Dinosaurs
By Andrew Levins Illustrated by Katie Kear Reviewed by Sarah Custance Andrew Levins is an Australian DJ, podcaster, restaurant owner, as well as the author of the Nelson series. Eggplants and Dinosaurs is the third book in the Nelson series following Pumpkins and
The School for Talking Pets
Written by Kelli Anne Hawkins Illustrated by Beth Harvey. Reviewed by Sandy Driessens The cover of this book says it all. There’s adventure, excitement, intrigue, talking pets and yes, “flying pigs”. Shy Rusty Mulligan enters a world-wide contest, to win a week at “Miss
The Listies’ Teleportaloo
By Richard Higgins, Matt Kelly aka The Listies Reviewed by Sarah Custance The Listies (also known as Richard Higgins and Matt Kelly) are a comic duo based in Melbourne. They have made comedy shows for both adults and children, recorded three albums,
Kensy and Max #8: High Voltage
By Jacqueline Harvey Reviewed by Melissa Salisbury Jacqueline Harvey’s Kensy and Max series returns with its eighth instalment, titled High Voltage, in a high-octane addition to the action-packed spy series. Kensy and Max are supposed to be on a relaxing holiday in Portugal
Finding Francois
By Gus Gordon Reviewed by Margarite Igras Gus Gordon has written and illustrated a most imaginative and charming book set in France, about two characters Alice and Francois, meeting, and building a long-distance relationship through regular short messages sent to each other.
The Lost Smile
By Nadia King Illustrated by Nelly Aghekyan Reviewed by Margarite Igras Nadia King's charming picture book captured my attention from the first page. I was eager to learn where this story would go, what lesson will be learned about a child who wakes
Plagues & Pandemics Reading List
Plagues and pandemics are much discussed both at home and at school. Unfortunately there is nothing new in the situation the world is in now. Here is a list of titles about different plagues and pandemics that teachers, parents and
