Rosewood Then & Now
By Karen Tyrell & Megan Forward Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is a charming history snapshot of a small Queensland town aimed at primary school readers but can be enjoyed…
The Beat I Drum
By Dusti Bowling Reviewed by Mia Macrossan We first met Connor in Dusti Bowling’s award winning Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, the story of Aven Green who…
Immortal Consequences (The Souls of Blackwood Academy)
By I.V. Marie Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Six ‘inconvenient acquaintances’, four trials, one chance to escape an eternity of nothingness. New York Times Bestseller Immortal Consequences, the debut novel by…
The Lost Girl King
By Catherine Doyle Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Catherine is the author of the award-winning middle grade Storm Keeper trilogy and the YA Blood for Blood trilogy and with The Lost…
Countdown to Christmas
Compiled and reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here are some Christmas books published this year to entertain and amuse a young audience. Countdown to Christmas by Evie Garland & Rachel Gyan…
Time Lions and the Chrono-Loop
By Krystal Sutherland and Martin Seneviratne Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Krystal Sutherland the winner of the Prime Minister’s Award for the YA novel The Invocations has here teamed up with…
The Lone Husky
By Hannah Gold Illustrated by Levi Pinfold Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Hannah Gold has carved a reputation for writing emotionally rich stories with strong environmental themes. From her first novel…
The Colours of Nature
By Catherine Barr & Chaaya Prabhat Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Our natural world provides many examples of gorgeous, stunning animals and plants that fascinate young readers. A book that celebrates…
World of Colour
By Jess Racklyeft Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jess is a versatile illustrator who has worked with many writers including Claire Saxby (Tree, Whisper on the Wind, Iceberg) to create outstanding picture books, as well…
The Invocations
By Krystal Sutherland Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Winner of the 2025 Prime Minister’s Literary Award for Young Adult Literature, The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland has it all: strong girls protecting…
Robbit the Job-Hopping Frog
By Michael Gerard Bauer & Katrin Dreiling Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian multiple-award winning author Michael Gerard Bauer is well known for his many books aimed at both children and…
Catch
By Sarah Brill Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Catch opens with Beth walking home one afternoon, minding her own business on a busy sidewalk, when a sudden and intense urge to…
Feature: Why Children Love Scary Stories – And Why It’s Ok!
By Claire Monsour As parents, carers, and educators, our primary role is to protect the children in our care – so it’s only natural to be concerned or resistant when…
Liam the Chid & the Kangaroo Warriors
Written and illustrated by Meredith Downes Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “Liam is an echidna destined for trouble.” Echidnas, known for their docile temperament and tendency to hide from conflict, are…
Forbidden Journal of Rufus Rumble: Legend of the Fang
By Nick Long Illustrated by Robin Tatlow-Lord. Reviewed by Lauren Spencer When he isn’t searching for lost cities in the Amazon and filming Netflix documentaries, Nick Long is writing his…
10 Dogs: A Funny Furry Counting Book
Written & illustrated by Emily Gravett Reviewed by Sandy Driessens 10 DOGS … another cute counting book? No, not at all. For a start, there are also 10 sausages involved which…
A Good Kind of Trouble
By Brooke Blurton and Melanie Saward Reviewed by Lauren Spencer Brooke Blurton is the first Indigenous and bisexual woman on The Bachelorette. Her advocacy for First Nations people and the…
My Pet Croc
Written by Dani Vee Illustrations by Jules Faber Reviewed by Sophia Evans If you’re after a laugh-out-loud, heartwarming middle-grade story with a splash of chaos and a lot of mischief,…
You Choose Mega: Prehistoric Peril
By George Ivanoff Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Colby, aged 9, who writes his own comic books called Millipede Man and Green Rocket. He also loves The Beatles, and is learning…
Heir of Storms
By Lauryn Hamilton Murray Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey At the end of Heir of Storms, the debut YA Romantasy from Scottish author Lauryn Hamilton Murray, one thing was left wanting…
Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping
By Craig Silvey Illustrated by Sara Acton Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Craig Silvey is rapidly becoming a household name in Australia. Two of his books Honeybee #25 and Jasper Jones…
Meet the Author: Kirsten Ealand
By Lauren Spencer Kirsten Ealand is a children’s book author from the Northern Rivers of New South Wales. Working part-time as a library assistant, Kirsten shares her love for books…
Ariana Treasure: The Perfect Day
by Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern Illustrated by Karen Erasmus Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the fifth in a popular series featuring Ariana and her family who own a thrift shop…
Cynthia is a Wild Dog
By Tohby Riddle Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Tohby Riddle is an author and illustrator whose background spans a range of art styles, from fine acrylics to cartooning. Though he…
Powerful Like a Dragon
By Christopher Cheng & Jacquiline Tam Reviewed by Margarite Igras Acclaimed author Christopher Cheng recounts a personal family story of courage and survival seen through the eyes of a child.…
Shibu’s Tail
By Tess Thomas and Kamwei Fong Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Shibu’s Tail is a gentle book by US author Tess Thomas and Malaysian artist Kamwei Fong. This is a…
Harper Wells Renegade Timeline Officer
By Bethany Loveridge Reviewed by Meg Rowe Talented and versatile author/illustrator Bethany Loveridge’s debut middle grade novel Harper Wells Renegade Timeline Officer brings an original and imaginative take to the…
Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories (Special Edition)
By Jeff Kinney Reviewed by Sophia Evans Grab a flashlight, crawl under the covers, and dive into the twisted, unexpectedly hilarious world of Rowley Jefferson’s imagination. Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly…
Childish
By Morris Gleitzman Reviewed by Jenny Ruge Morris Gleitzman has for many years been one of Australia’s best-loved authors for children. With 45 books to his credit, he’s never afraid…
You’re Too Little
Written & illustrated by Katie Stewart Reviewed by Sandy Driessens One evening, young Western Pygmy Possum sat in a stump gazing up into the tree far, far above her head,…
