The Cow That Swam Out To Sea
By Pamela Rushby Illustrated by Nicola Hooper Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is one of the twelve new picture books for Queensland’s youngest readers published as part of First 5 Forever, an early literacy program initiated by the Queensland Government and coordinated by
Pea and Nut: Go for Gold! (Pea and Nut, #2)
Written & Illustrated by Matt Stanton. Reviewed by Sandy Driessens With bright colours, glossy water drips and two endearing characters on the cover, the second in the Pea + Nut Series, looks to be full of fun. “This is Pea, who want to
The Tree
Written and illustrated by Graeme Base Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Naturally, when you see a book cover with the iconic design and unmistakeable art of Graeme Base, you have to pick it up. “The Tree … is a story of a cow, a
Stories for little Queenslanders
The State Library of Queensland has published a new series of picture books 12 in all, and made them available to download. You can also watch them on YouTube. It is part of the First 5 Forever program which is
Whine Guide, Find your voice and start sweating the small stuff & Sleep 101, How to sleep like a baby
By Beck & Matt Stanton Reviewed by Yvonne Mes Those poor babies, all they do is poop, sleep and cry, and even then they can’t seem to figure out where they are supposed to sleep! Sleep 101 is a message for babies on
Fancy Nancy
By Jane O'Connor Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser Reviewed by Margarite Igras This picture book was a success in New York when it was published in 2005. The author went on to write several more books in the Fancy Nancy series including Fancy
Little Elephants
Written and illustrated by Graeme Base Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson Young Jim, his pet mouse Pipsqueak, and his mother live on a wheat farm in rural Texas, USA where the crop is ready to harvest but the harvester is broken, and a
Is This Your Egg?
Written by Ella Kris Illustrated by Emma Cracknell Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This title is one of the twelve new picture books for Queensland’s youngest readers published as part of First 5 Forever, an early literacy program initiated by the Queensland Government and
The Little Queenslander’s Alphabet Book
written by Sally Scudamore Illustrated by Sophie Beer Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This large format alphabet book is firmly aimed at young Queenslanders. Each letter of the alphabet introduces a Queensland animal performing some activity somewhere in Queensland. Alliteration is the guiding principle so
Koalas Like To …
Written by Shae Millward Illustrated by Brent Wilson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Shae Millward is a Queensland writer and this is her second picture book. Brent Wilson is an Australian-based illustrator whose art echoes children's books from the 1950s and 1960s. Koalas Like
Shoosh!
Written and illustrated by Simon Howe Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Simon Howe is a picture book illustrator who has worked on many projects including Natalie Pryor's Naughty Dragons series. This is the first book that he has both written and illustrated. A tired
Code Name Bananas
By David Walliams Illustrated by Tony Ross Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Leonard Cavallaro David Walliam’s latest children’s book, Code Name Bananas is a heart-warming tale of overcoming grief, parental death, living in war and animal kindness. David Walliam’s history as an actor, writer
Nelson – Broccoli and Spies
By Andrew Levins Illustrated by Katie Kear Reviewed by Sarah Custance Andrew Levins is a well known Australian DJ and food writer. Broccoli and Spies is the second book in the Nelson series all about a young boy who discovers that he has
Future Friend
By David Baddiel Illustrated by Steven Lenton Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Leonard Cavallaro This interesting tale of time travel, cloning, friendship, compassion and environmental care entertains the reader through regular humour and unique characters. Rahul Agarwal is a lonely genius. He creates inventions with
The Common Cormorant
By Christopher Isherwood The common cormorant or shag Lays eggs inside a paper bag. The reason you will see no doubt It is to keep the lightning out. But what these unobservant birds Have never noticed is that herds Of wandering bears may come with buns And steal
Little Gem
Written and illustrated by Anna Zobel Reviewed by Mia Macrossan 'All Gem wanted was to be a good witch who helped people, but every time she tried a spell it went wrong somehow.' This is main idea in Anna's debut novel about a
A Tale of Magic
By Chris Colfer Reviewed by our Junior Reviewer, Leonard Cavallaro This is one of Chris Colfer's many bestselling books, his most iconic series being The Land of Stories. The themes here are equality, magic, witchcraft, corruption and medieval life. Brystal is fourteen and
The Crayon’s Christmas
By Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the team that brought you The Day the Crayons Quit and the Crayons Book of Numbers, both very popular with young children. The Crayons’ Christmas is a lot of fun even
What I Like Most
By Mary Murphy Illustrated by Zhu Cheng-Liang Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zahri This simple story stole my heart. It starts with a humble statement by a little girl about what she likes most in the world, and why. Except that she has this
Windows
Written by Patrick Guest Illustrated by Jonathan Bentley Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zahri If there were a tale we could hold to commemorate the trials and tribulations of this strange year, let it be this one. As the COVID-19 pandemic clears the streets of
StoryLinks Best of the Best in 2020
Our reviewers have made a list of those titles that most impressed them in this remarkable year. Here are some ideas for late minute gifts or for leisurely and guaranteed enjoyable reading in the holidays. All good wishes for the
Vlad’s Bad Breath
By Rory H. Mather Illustrated by Jesus Lopez Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zahri Vlad is a pint-sized vampire who doesn't want to brush his teeth. After stinking out close family members in delicious rhyme, he gets help from his other ghoulish friends and
Rudie Nudie Christmas
Written & Illustrated by Emma Quay Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Nine years after the success of Rudie Nudie (2012 Book of the Year for Younger Children Australian Book Industry Awards; Shortlisted for Children’s Book Council Australia Awards), Emma Quay has created a
The Ickabog
By J K Rowling Illustrated by the winners of The Ickabog Illustration Competition. Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is modern fairy tale although set in an imaginary world. It was first published free online for children stuck at home, unable to go to school or
Quidditch Through the Ages Illustrated Edition
By J K Rowling; Kennilworthy Whisp Illustrated by Emily Gravett Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This magnificent edition is a must for any Harry Potter fan. It is incredibly detailed encouraging hours of browsing and just gorgeously illustrated by Emily Gravett. The book invites readers
The Fowl Twins – Deny All Charges
By Eoin Colfer Reviewed by Sarah Custance Eoin Colfer is a name recognised by any good book worm as the author of the bestselling Artemis Fowl novels along with over a dozen other children/middle-grade books. Deny All Charges is the second book
This Small Blue Dot
By Zeno Sworder Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zahri This picture book is a welcome message from a bright little girl to her baby sister, a short compendium of everything tiny ones need to know. The unique layout features a persuasive narrator, who is
The little mermaid and other fairy tales
By Hans Christian Andersen Illustrated by Minalima Reviewed by Mia Macrossan First published in 1837 Andersen's fairy tales quickly became popular and have been reprinted many times. This is a gorgeous new edition of the perennial favourite is a sturdy hardback with full
The Left-Handed Booksellers of London
By Garth Nix Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Garth has been a hugely successful writer for many years and his YA books include the Old Kingdom fantasy series; SF novels Shade’s Children and A Confusion of Princes; and a Regency romance with magic,
Adventure Starts At Bedtime
By Ness Knight and Qu Lanaa Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Ness Knight is a real life explorer whose exploits include being the first woman to swim the Thames river from source to London. In her debut children's book she has carefully chosen thirty
