Shadow Wall
Written by Olivia Coates Illustrated by Anastasia Bukhnina Reviewed by Margarite Igras Former kindergarten teacher Olivia Coates’ debut picture book is an insightful story about the link between colour and…
If I Were a Lion
Written by Kitty Black Illustrated by Giuseppe Poli Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Western Australian author, Kitty Black, has written another early childhood picture book about her favourite topic, feelings. If…
Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose: Enola Holmes 9
By Nancy Springer Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Nancy Springer is the author of the popular Enola Holmes novels as well as more than 50 other books for children and adults.…
Meet Jenny Stubbs – winner of the 2023 Nan Chauncy Award
By Mia Macrossan Jenny Stubbs has been awarded the 2023 Nan Chauncy Award, awarded by the Children’s Book Council of Australia to honour individuals who have made an outstanding contribution…
Willa and Woof Series: #4 Wedding Rescue & #5 Let the Games Begin
By Jacqueline Harvey Reviewed by Liane McDermott Wedding Rescue and Let the Games Begin are Jacqueline Harvey’s latest books in the Willa and Woof series, which follows the adventures of…
The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-Bottomed Boat
By Charlie Archbold Reviewed by Sarah Custance Charlie Archbold received much critical acclaim for her first book Mallee Boys which became a CBCA honour book for older readers. The Sugarcane…
Mr Impoppable
By Trent Jamieson and Brent Wilson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Trent is a Brisbane writer of adult speculative fiction and picture books. His first picture book was the hauntingly beautiful…
Where Will the Sleepy Sheep Sleep?
By David Metzenthen Illustrated by Jonathan Bentley Reviewed by Mia Macrossan David has long been a writer of award winning middle grade books such as Boys of Blood and Bone,…
Heavy
By Dannika Patterson & Davilyn Lynch Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Dannika Patterson has built a reputation for gentle storytelling from a child’s perspective. Previous popular titles like Jacaranda Magic and Scribbly Gum…
This Summers Secrets
This Summers Secrets Review by Junior Reviewer Lucille, Year 8 A London evacuee. A poor girl with crushed dreams. A scared teenager who can see auras. This Summer’s Secrets by…
The Secret Science Society In Space
By Kathy Hoopmann & Josie Montano Illustrated by Ann-Marie Finn Reviewed by Margarite Igras This is a follow-up book to The Secret Science Society’s Spectacular Experiment based around four very…
Poo Face
By Andrew Daddo and Jonathan Bentley Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Everyone has a poo face, according to this new release from picture book stalwarts Andrew Daddo and Jonathan Bentley. ‘We’ve…
Who’s the Gang on Our Street?
By Susanne Gervay and Nancy Bevington Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Who’s the Gang on our Street? is a delightful surprise package from Susanne Gervay, a prolific and respected luminary…
Honey and the Valley of Horses
By Wendy Orr Reviewed by Helen Gearing Honey and the Valley of Horses is a beautiful, outdoorsy adventure for middle grade readers by the multi-award winning author of Nim’s Island…
The Fortune Maker
By Catherine Norton Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Norton made her debut in children’s fiction writing the acclaimed Crossing which was joint winner of the Patricia Wrightson’s prize in the 2015…
An A to Z of Dreaming Differently
By Tracey Dembo and Lucia Masciullo Reviewed by Yvonne Mes This exuberant alphabet book features a positive affirmation for children a letter at time. Each letter has a short message…
One Little Duck
By Katrina Germein and Danny Snell Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray The element of surprise is one of the best narrative tools for engaging young readers. One Little Duck uses…
We Didn’t Think It Through
Gary Lonesborough Reviewed by Helen Gearing Gary Lonesbourough (whose 2021 debut Young Adult novel The Boy from the Mish amassed four state literary award shortlistings as well as being shortlisted…
Two Sparrowhawks in a Lonely Sky
By Rebecca Lim Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Rebecca is the award winning author of Tiger Daughter ( CBCA 2022 Book of the Year, Older Readers winner) which is about Wen…
Leaf-light
By Trace Balla Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Trace creates graphic novels and children’s books about connecting with country and community. A self-described ‘story catcher’ she finds inspiration in nature and…
Ratbags 3: Best of Pests
Written by Tim Harris Illustrated by Shiloh Gordon Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Thomas, aged 10, who can do the Rubik’s cub in around one minute! This adventurous book is about…
Ghost Book
By Remy Lai Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Remy Lai is a Brisbane author/illustrator who has had international success with hybrid books such as Pie in the Sky and Fly on…
From the World of Percy Jackson: The Sun and the Star (The Nico Di Angelo Adventures)
By Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro Reviewed by Helen Gearing With over 25 books comprising three main series and several spin-offs, The Sun and the Star is the latest standalone…
Business Chickens
By Jess McGeachin Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Most chickens make good business chickens. They’re neat, arrive on time and they take everything seriously … and then there’s Fran. She’s none…
Cosima Unfortunate Steals a Star (Cosima Unfortunate, Book 1)
Written by Laura Noakes & illustrated by Flavia Sorrentino Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Cosima Unfortunate … yes, that was the name given to the heroine of this story. Cos has…
Queensland Literary Awards 2023 Shortlist
Congratulations to all! Children’s Book Award 2023 shortlist The Way of Dog by Zana Fraillon (University of Queensland Press) Judges’ comments: A mistreated puppy’s attempt to reconnect with his ‘ManPup’ becomes…
The Dog Squad: The Newshound
by Clara Vulliamy Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Clara Vulliamy is also the author of Marshmallow Pie The Cat Superstar and the illustrator of The Book Cat, both of which show off…
The Night In Question
By Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Lucille R. Crowley, age 13 This addictive murder mystery follows Alice Ogilvie and Iris Adams as they unravel a dark…
When Clouds Touch Us
By Thanhha Lai Review by Zewlan Moor Thanhhà Lai’s first novel, Inside Out and Back Again, won the National Book Award and a Newbery Honor. It was a verse novel…
Beginnings and Endings
a Play School Mindfully Me book about death and life By Jan Stradling & Jedda Robaard Reviewed by Helen Gearing Beginnings and Endings is the second instalment in the Play…
