The Giant and the Sea
by Trent Jamieson illustrated Rovina Cai reviewed by Barbara Braxton There was once a giant who stood on the shore of the sea. She looked out across the water the water, because that is what she had promised to do long, long ago. On
News: Caroline Magerl talks about the value of illustration
Caroline Magerl, author of CBCA shortlisted picture book Nop, is talking about her work as an artist and the value of illustration. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DptM4iYPvW8&feature=youtu.be StoryLinks is thrilled to announce that she has agreed to be one of our exhibitors at our next StoryLinks
New Reading List: Being Different
Being Different is an annotated list of novels and picture books for children and young adults about children with special abilities or disabilities. Many writers have tackled this challenging topic including Samantha Wheeler writing about her daughter in All the Things
The Little Engine That Could
by Watty Piper illustrated by Dan Santat reviewed by Mia Macrossan This famous story has been re-issued in a 90th anniversary edition with an introduction by Dolly Parton, the founder of the Imagination Library The popular tale of the little engine that could has
The Mummy Animal Book
by Jennifer Cossins reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jennifer Cossins has written the popular 101 Collective Nouns, A Flamboyance of Flamingos and The Baby Animal Book and now in The Mummy Animal Book she focuses on mothers and their offspring. She has chosen 14
Women Artists A to Z
by Melanie LaBarge illustrated by Caroline Corrigan reviewed by Mia Macrossan This thoughtful clever picture book works on several levels so as to appeal to a wide age range. It is both a simple alphabet book teaching a young child the letters we
Bedtime Daddy
written by Sharon Giltrow illustrated by Katrin Dreiling reviewed by Barbara Braxton It's 7.00 pm and it's time for bed. No more screentime or playtime and regardless of the protests, it's time. But it takes perseverance and patience to work through all the
As Fast As I Can
by Penny Tangey reviewed by Mia Macrossan Penny Tangey is a successful author with three well regarded novels to her credit: Two for older readers - Loving Richard Feynman , Clara in Washington and, for middle grade readers. - Stay Well Soon. As
Not My Fault
by Cath Howe reviewed by Sarah Custance Cath Howe is a London based teacher and writer. Her first novel ‘Ella on the Outside’ was nominated for the Carnegie Medal. ‘Not My Fault’ is Howe’s second novel, it is a standalone book about
NEW! Australian Animals Reading Lists
We have prepared two Reading Lists for use by teachers and parents. Australian Animal Books for Younger Readers features popular classics and many popular titles, written by awarded Australian children's writers, all about iconic Australian animals with a recommended reading
Deeplight
by Frances Hardinge reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, an epic poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, brings home the excitement, wonder and poetry of the sea. Voyages to far flung places have inspired dramatic and heroic tales. And
The Lords of Melody
by Phillip Gwynne reviewed by Sarah Custance Phillip Gwynne has written many books in different genres that have achieved much critical acclaim such as his first novel ‘Deadly Unna?’, the picture book ‘Brothers from a Different Mother’, the junior fiction books ‘Jetty
The Austen Girls
by Lucy Worsley reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes Jane Austen was and is, an enigma. Her first novels were written anonymously, published with the words ‘by a lady’ under the title. Given that many of her private letters were destroyed after her death,
No! Never!
by Libby Hathorn and Lisa Hathorn- Jarman illustrated by Mel Pearce reviewed by Mia Macrossan This amusing tale created by award winning author Libby Hathorn and her daughter Lisa Hathorn -Jarman shows a situation many families are familiar with: a contrary fractious toddler
Arthur and the What-Ifs
by Heath McKenzie reviewed by Mia Macrossan Arthur is a dog with a secret desire to play his violin. He has composed a tune but he is too scared to play it in public in case people hear it and laugh at
Get Out of my Bath
by Britta Teckentrup reviewed by Mia Macrossan Britta Teckentrup is a German born British author and illustrator of over 100 books. This interactive board book is about Ellie the elephant who loves to make waves in her bath. The reader is invited to
Zelda Stitch Term Two: Too Much Witch
by Nicki Greenberg reviewed by Sarah Custance Nicki Greenberg is a double banger author who both writes and illustrates her novels. Her works include the graphic novel adaptions of ‘The Great Gatsby’ and ‘Hamlet’; the younger readers series ‘The Naughtiest Reindeer’, and
Aussie Kids: Meet Katie at the Beach
by Rebecca Johnson illustrated by Lucia Masciullo reviewed by Mia Macrossan Congratulations to Puffin Australia for producing a new series aimed at emerging readers who are just gaining a bit of confidence aged 5 – 8. The Aussie Kids series of 8 books
This Is How We Change The Ending
by Vikki Wakefield reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes This fifth novel from award-winning South Australian novelist Vikki Wakefield tells the story of anti-hero Nate McKee, a kid from the wrong side of the tracks, as he journeys towards self-enlightenment and tries to escape
The Year the Maps Changed
by Danielle Binks reviewed by Mia Macrossan This debut novel is set in Sorrento in the Mornington Peninsula in 1999. It is an emotional drama that develops slowly gradually building up to an immersive picture of a family and community in conflict. Its
Little Bilby’s Aussie Easter Egg Hunt
by Yvonne Mes illustrated by Jody Pratt reviewed by Mia Macrossan This charming board book contains a lot in a small package. It is the perfect way to introduce your child to the joy and fun of Easter egg hunting in an Australian context.
Mindy is Strange wins 2020 Short Story Competition
Congratulations to Desmond Doyle, the author of Mindy is Strange, which has won the 2020 Short Story Competition. Judges' comments: The story was well written and original. It was immediately engaging with suspense and interest well balanced. The focus stayed on the
Young Engineers
by Andrew King illustrated by Benjamin Johnston reviewed by Mia Macrossan Andrew King, a Brisbane engineer, writer, and teacher is passionate about introducing young children to the boundless possibilities offered by the world of engineering. A couple of years ago he produced a series featuring
The Race for the Red Dragon: Children of the Dragon 2
by Rebecca Lim reviewed by Sarah Custance ‘The Race for the Red Dragon’ is the second novel in the ‘Children of the Dragon’ series by Rebecca Lim, the first being ‘The Relic of the Blue Dragon’. Rebecca Lim is the award-winning author
Agents of the Wild: Operation Honeyhunt
by Jennifer Bell illustrated by Alice Lickens reviewed by Barbara Braxton Daughter of world-famous botanists who were killed on a flower-collecting expedition in Australia, 8-year-old Agnes now lives with her uncle who doesn't understand her and certainly doesn't understand her need or demand
SHORTLIST 2020 Short Story Competition
Congratulations to the 2020 Short Story Competition Shortlisted authors Sharyn Abdullah: Ben's Secret Weapon Annaleise Byrd: Septic Tank Swim Team Desmond Doyle: Mindy is Strange Anna Quinlan: Stella Fey Joanna Wisbey: The Mystery of Bucket Man The winner will be announced on Hans Christian
E-Boy #1 : Lightning Strike
by Anh Do illustrated by Chris Wahl reviewed by Sarah Custance Anh Do is now a household name in children’s books. The master of engaging reluctant readers alongside the likes of David Walliams with their ridiculously silly and funny books that have young
Nevertell
by Katharine Orton This debut novel is an interesting and unusual combination of historical novel and fantasy for readers of 8 to 12. Nevertell is set in Siberia in a prison camp during Stalin’s rule of Russia. 12-year-old Lina knows no other
The Australian Children’s Illustrated Dictionary
by John McIlwain reviewed by Mia Macrossan A dictionary can be a valuable companion when children are at the stage of becoming independent readers and writers. This revised and updated Australian Children's Illustrated Dictionary is a superb combination of information about words
Bluey: Bob Bilby
reviewed by Mia Macrossan Bluey is the award-winning and incredibly popular Australian cartoon tv series featuring Bluey, the blue heeler pup and her family: Mum, Dad and her sister Bingo. It is produced by the Emmy® award-winning Ludo Studio for ABC
