Australian Backyard Birds
By Myke Mollard Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Our backyards are the places where children first learn to observe and experience the unique environment that Australia offers. Birds that visit these…
Alias Anna
Zhanna Arshanskaya: a biography in verse : a true story of outwitting the Nazis By Susan Hood with Greg Dawson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the sometimes harrowing, always…
A Matter of Cats
By Elizabeth Hutchins Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The author was inspired to write this novel by the dilemma of being both a cat lover and passionate about the preservation of…
Celebrity Children’s books
Many celebrities, famous for achieving in their particular field of endeavour, whether it be sport, cooking, acting, marrying a royal person or whatever, decide to write a book for children,…
Cozy Christmas
By Coco Wyo Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Coco Wyo is a group of artists and colorists who share a simple goal: to inspire emotional expression through colors by creating a…
Flora: Australia’s Most Curious Plants
By Tania McCartney Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This companion volume to Fauna: Australian’s Most Curious Animals is a treasure trove of information stunningly illustrated in precise detail and glorious colour.…
The History of Information
Written and illustrated by Chris Haughton additional text and research by Loonie Park Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Chris Haughton is a prolific writer and illustrator who work includes A Bit…
The Hotel Balzaar
A Norendy Tale By Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Julia Sarda Reviewed by Mia Macrossan American author Kate DiCamillo can always be relied on to deliver an engrossing story that touches…
The Hullabaloo about Elephant Poo
By Dee White & Christopher Nielsen Reviewed by Helen Gearing “A poopy pyramid, a massive load – enough to make your nostrils explode. But don’t be alarmed, I promise it’s…
The Lost Book of Magic
By Amelia Mellor Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Amelia’s debut novel The Grandest Bookshop in the World, inspired by Melbourne’s real Cole’s Book Arcade was an original mix of detailed history…
18,000 Holes in the Universe 2: Snack Attack
By Adam Wallace and Lisa Foley Illustrated by James Hart Reviewed by Jamie Willis Snack Attack is the second book in the hilarious 18,000 Holes in the Universe illustrated series.…
The Midwatch
By Judith Rossell Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Judith Rossell has made a name for herself as one of those rare creatures who can both write like a dream and illustrate…
Standout Children’s Books of 2024
This year we have reviewed so many wonderful books, too numerous to list here. Browsing through StoryLinks we chose 20+ our reviewers consider outstanding. Many thanks to members of WriteLinks…
Kevin Saves the Show
By Jacqueline Harvey & Kate Isobel Scott Reviewed by Margarite Igras Prolific Australian author Jacqueline Harvey is known for her numerous works such as the Willa and Woof, Kensy and…
Before We Met
By Gabrielle Tozer & Sophie Beer Reviewed by Margarite Igras Gabrielle is an award-winning author, and freelance writer based in New South Wales. She has written YA books including Remind…
Hazel’s Treehouse
Written by Zanni Louise Illustrated by Judy Watson Reviewed by Jamie Willis Zanni Louise is the internationally published author of more than forty books for children, including picture books, junior…
Girl, Crushed
By Maggie Horne Reviewed by Jamie Willis Maggie Horne is a UK-based author of middle grade and young adult books. Her first novel, Hazel Hill is Gonna Win This One,…
Book Links News : December
Discover all that is new and exciting in the children’s literature world – read Book Links December Newsletter
Taronga Big Book of Animals
Over 200 fascinating facts for curious kids Reviewed by Mia Macrossan In the note to the reader the Taronga Conservation Society Australia states the facts in this book are based…
The Other Side of the Clouds
By Matt Samuel & Tamlyn Teow Reviewed by Margarite Igras This is Matt’s debut Children’s picture book. After two decades in advertising and a former career as a primary school teacher,…
Tilly in a Tangle
By Magrete Lamond & Monty Lee Reviewed by Sandhya Parappukkaran Magrete Lamond is a multi-award-winning author and children’s book publisher. Lamond’s picture book, Paper-flower Girl, was shortlisted in the 2024…
The Five Rules of Friendship
By Jess Sanders Illustrated by César Barceló Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jess Sanders is the author of Life Lessons for Little Ones series which include You Can Do Hard Things…
The fingerprint code
By R. A. Stephens Illustrated by Em Hammond Reviewed by Renata Clarke R. A. Stephens runs publishing houses Wombat Books and Rhiza Edge, and also writes and edits individually both…
Nanny Piggins and the Origin Story
By R. A. Spratt Reviewed by Melissa Salisbury If you are already a fan of R.A Spratt’s humorous Nanny Piggins series, then you will love reading Piggins’ origin story. If…
Now for the Good News
By Jordan Artery [and 11 others] Illustrated by Rebecca King and Sarah Wiecek Reviewed by Ruth Bonetti It’s cool to be green and to help save the planet. We—all of…
Ethel the Penguin
By Ursula Dubosarsky Illustrated by Christopher Nielsen Reviewed by Meg Rowe You are in safe hands with acclaimed Australian author Ursula Dubosarsky – with over sixty books published for children…
Brave Kāhu and the Pōrangi Magpie
By Shelley Burne-Field Reviewed by June Paisa Perkins Shelley Burne-Field’s debut middle grade adventure children’s book is a triumphant shift from her accomplished poetry, article writing and creative non-fiction for…
Waiting for Santa
By Lucy Cochran & Heidi McKinnon Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Waiting for Santa is the debut picture book for Australian author Lucy Cochran, teamed up with author-illustrator Heidi McKinnon, whose…
The Secret Garden Rewilded
By Anthea Simmons Illustrated by Rachel Dean Reviewed by Barbara Braxton In 1911, young readers were taken into the world of the imperious, emotionally-deprived Mary, animal-whisperer Dickon, and the apparently-doomed…
Taronga Presents
Written by Kristin Darell Illustrated by Laura Wood Reviewed by Helen Gearing Created in partnership with Taronga Conservation Society Australia, ‘Taronga Presents’ is a well researched junior fiction series for…
