Shmoof
By Heidi McKinnon Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Heidi has collaborated with many writers to create memorable picture books as well as writing and illustrating her own. She is the master…
The Girl and the Ghost
By Jacqueline Harvey Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson with thanks to Sue Warren for her inspiring insights A French village, new friends, a locket from the past, a local mystery to…
One Word and a Bird
By Stephen Michael King Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray One Word and a Bird is the newest picture book from celebrated author/illustrator Stephen Michael King. It showcases the power of…
Book of Hours
By Clare McFadden Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Book of Hours is a contemplative meditation on the quiet beauty of everyday life. It is marketed as a picture book for ages…
Your Body is Amazing
By Jess Sanders Illustrated by Christine Cuddihy Reviewed by Claire Monsour Dear Reader, there is no such thing as a perfect body. Every body is different and every body has…
Sid and the very hard to find Squid
Written & illustrated by James O’Hanlon Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “Of all the bugs and birds and beasts … that I have yet to find, there’s one that tops my…
The Frog’s First Song
By Jazz Money & Jason Phu Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray The Frog’s First Song is a visually arresting and thematically joyful picture book that celebrates connection. Written by award-winning…
Little One
By Jane Godwin & Gabriel Evans Reviewed by Claire Monsour “Ed has a teddy, Lola has a blanket, Penny has her Elly… But Little One is mine” There are plenty…
A Loo of One’s Own
A Mostly True Tale of Australia’s First Female Parliamentarians Written and Illustrated by Eleri Harris Reviewed by Zewlan Moor What a treat to read this book! A Loo of One’s…
Unhallowed Halls
By Lili Wilkinson Reviewed by Ramona Naulty, Age 16 After swiftly reading (and thoroughly enjoying) Lili Wilkinson’s Unhallowed Halls, I can safely say that this book is a brilliant introduction…
Who Might You Be?
By R. Henderson Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Who Might You Be? is a fresh, interactive picture book from Robert Henderson. This inventive author/illustrator previously brought us the delightful I See, I…
The World’s Worst Superheroes
By David Walliams Illustrated by Adam Stower Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Term 3 of the Australian school year is upon us and as usual, in many schools, the focus is…
Wombat Dreaming
By Caz Goodwin & Zoë Bennett Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “Each Sunday the animals woke with the sun and came to the creek for some yoga and fun.” Lil, desperately…
Into the Bewilderness
By Gus Gordon Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Gus Gordon is one of Australia’s most respected author/illustrators of picture books, with over 80 titles sold into multiple territories. Not only…
Moonboy
By Anna Ciddor Reviewed by Jenny Ruge Moonboy is the latest time-travelling adventure from multiple award-winner Anna Ciddor, author of The Boy Who Stepped Through Time and A Message Through…
The Train at the End of my Street
By Tom Jellett Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Tom Jellett’s The Train at the End of my Street is a picture book for pure enjoyment, tapping into the timeless childhood…
2025 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards SHORTLISTS
Check out the incredible titles shortlisted for the 2025 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards! Books are awarded for their impact on language and literacy development in the…
Guess How I Was Born
By Suzanne Gervay & Carolyn Daly Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Presented with the Lifetime Social Justice Literature Award for her body of work by the International Literacy Association and an…
Frog Squad #3 Sink or Swim
By Kate and Jol Temple Illustrated by Shiloh Gordon Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This excellent series continues to delight and engage emerging and reluctant readers in the adventures of a…
Wait a Minute!
By Shelly Unwin & Lana Azore Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “Time to go! Wait a minute! I’ve got to tie my sh … sheep together.” Ah, the morning rush for…
Brock the Croc: Make It Snappy!
By Adrian Beck & Dean Rankine Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Brock the Croc: Make It Snappy! is the second instalment of an action-packed series written by Adrian Beck and…
Sonny & Tess
By Nova Weetman Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Nova Weetman is an exemplary storyteller. There are several check boxes we’re accustomed to ticking when reviewing novels for young readers –…
R. I. P. Nanny Tobbins
By Lucie Stevens Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Lucie Stevens is children’s author, freelance writer, editor and publishing consultant. R. I. P. Nanny Tobbins, about a young girl coping with an…
Rival Darlings
By Alexandra Moody Reviewed by Lucille Rose Rival Darling, the first in the Darling Devils series, is a YA contemporary romance following the drama filled lives of two Minnesota high…
The Monsters Next Door
By Kate Alice Marshall Reviewed by Helen Gearing Marshall is a trusted voice in the American horror landscape, writing suspenseful books for children and adults. Her previous middle grade titles…
Nightweaver
By R M Gray Reviewed by Ayesha Uddin Nightweaver is a debut YA fantasy novel in the popular Romantasy genre. The ambience is grimdark, the pace is relentless and the…
Lucky
By Amelia Tonta and Peter Baldwin Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Lucky is a dynamic new picture book by Amelia Tonta (formerly publishing as Amelia Mcinerney) and illustrated by Peter…
Anna’s War
By D J Taylor Reviewed by Jenny Ruge Anna’s War is a compelling YA historical fiction novel by debut author, DJ Taylor. Set in German-occupied Holland in the later stages…
I Don’t Need a Little Brother
By Nat Amoore & Nathaniel Eckstrom Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray I Don’t Need a Little Brother is the debut picture book for Nat Amoore, who is well known for action-packed,…
True South
By Gisela Ervin-Ward Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray True South is the debut novel for experienced education writer Gisela Ervin-Ward. It includes all the desirable key ingredients of a gripping…
