Meet Suzy Zail, author of Inkflower – Book Links 2024 Award for Children’s Historical Fiction Shortlist
By Mia Macrossan There are three brilliant writers on this year’s Book Links Children’s Historical Fiction Award Shortlist: Two Sparrowhawks in a Lonely Sky by Rebecca Lim, A & U…
The Apprentice Witnesser
By Bren MacDibble Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Bren MacDibble burst onto the children’s literature world with How to Bee, a post apocalyptic story that won many awards including 2018 CBCA…
Eat My Dust – The exhibition
Review by Sandy Pottinger The intrepid Swiss-born adventurer and writer, Isabelle Eberhardt (1877-1904) once said: “…The open road is the essence of freedom. Take the decision to break the chains…
The Very Polite Knight
By Ian Smith Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is a charming picture book for children aged 3+. I hope they are not put off by the title, since they may…
Detective Beans & The Case of the Missing Hat
By Li Chen Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Li Chen was born in Beijing, China, and moved to New Zealand when she was five. Detective Beans and the Case of the…
Sunday Skating
By Andrea Rowe & by Hannah Sommerville Reviewed by Claire Monsour “When the weekend settles, and Sunday rolls around…”, five friends set off on a Sunday skate. With a click,…
Alone
By Scott Stuart Reviewed by Claire Monsour It’s hard being alone, especially in the darkness of space. So, Earth decides to look for a friend; but the other planets aren’t…
Shower Land 2: Feel the Freeze
By Nat Amoore Illustrated by James Hart Reviewed by Melissa Salisbury The unstoppable Nat Amoore returns with the second book in her junior fiction Shower Land series, titled Feel the…
A Teaspoon of Light
By Peter O’Connor & Nisaluk Chantanakom Reviewed by Sandhya Parappukkaran A Teaspoon of Light is a stunningly beautiful picture book which stands out like a ray of sunshine on a…
Shortlist of the 2024 Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction
It is with great pleasure that we announce the shortlisted titles for this year’s Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction. These three titles are outstanding for their perceptive writing,…
Reading to Baby
By Margaret Wild & Hannah Sommerville Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Margaret Wild is the award winning author of many picture books including Jenny Angel (which was inspired by her brother’s death…
Esme in the Limelight
By Kate Gordon Reviewed by Helen Gearing Kate Gordon’s poignant middle-grade novel Aster’s Good, Right Things won the CBCA Book of the Year for Younger Readers in 2021 and its…
The Garden of Broken Things
By Freya Blackwood Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray The Garden of Broken Things is the latest offering from lauded author and illustrator Freya Blackwood. As may be expected of an…
Ask the Author: Richard Yaxley
Liane McDermott spoke to Richard Yaxley about his writing. Richard is a Brisbane-based author whose short story Fly High won the 2024 StoryLinks Short Story competition. His novels include This…
Grey
By Laura Dockrill & Lauren Child Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Today I am grey. I don’t feel sunshine yellow, or balloon orange bright, or treetop green…” Or, indeed, any of…
Three Dresses
By Wanda Gibson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This richly illustrated picture book by Nukgal Wurra author–artist Wanda Gibson is a retelling of her joyful childhood beach holidays in Far North…
Miimi and Buwaarr, Mother and Baby
By Melissa Greenwood Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Melissa Greenwood was born on her Gumbaynggirr jagun (homelands) in Coffs Harbour and raised between both Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung nations. Her carefully crafted…
Richard Yaxley wins 2024 StoryLinks Short Story Competition
Congratulations to Richard Yaxley who won the 2024 StoryLinks Short Story competition with his subtle, emotive story Fly High, announced this week at the Narelle Oliver lecture. Read Fly High…
Where is the Green Sheep
By Mem Fox & Judy Horacek Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Mem Fox has written more than 40 books for children, including the award-winning and much-loved picture books Possum Magic and Where is…
Quokka Finds a Friend
By Katie Stewart Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Katie Stewart is a West Australian author who has written several picture books all featuring iconic Australian animals. They include When I Can…
How to Measure the Ocean
By Inda Ahmad Zahri Review by Zewlan Moor Inda Ahmad Zahri is an author, illustrator, surgical doctor and scuba diver. She was inspired to create this book when her daughter…
Aurealis winners announced!
Congratulations to all the winners in the 2023 Aurealis Awards. The winners include BEST CHILDREN’S FICTION: Spellhound: A Dragons of Hallow Book 1, Lian Tanner (Allen & Unwin) and BEST GRAPHIC…
Listen Hippo!
Written and illustrated by Gabriel Evans Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Gabriel Evans is a Western Australian children’s book author and illustrator who works primarily in watercolour and pencil. His books…
Boss Cat
By Sarah Speedie & Tom Jellett Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Sarah Speedie’s debut picture book, Mozzies vs Flies was shortlisted for the Speech Pathology Australia, 2022 Book of the Year awards. Tom…
What Stars Are For
Written and illustrated by Margeaux Davis Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Margeaux Davis is a soft toy and sewing pattern designer, who has a background in environmental education. This beautifully illustrated…
Inkflower
By Suzy Zail Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Suzy Zail used to be a lawyer but quit to become a writer. Her books include The Tattooed Flower, The Wrong Boy, and…
Book Links News: May 2024
Here is the latest newsletter from Book Links containing a wealth of information about events, programs, competitions reviews and more from the children’s literature world. Grab a favourite beverage and…
Bluey Trains
Illustrated by Rafferty Amor Reviewed by Mia Macrossan One for young readers just starting to read on their own, this illustrated chapter book for 6+ readers features a famous Australian…
Circles of Life
By Gregg Dreise Reviewed by Margarite Igras Indigenous Kamilaroi, Gregg Dreise, is an award-winning author, illustrator, artist, musician, and storyteller. He travels around Australia, giving entertaining and educational talks sharing…
Ultra Violet 1: Down to Business
Written by Cristy Burne Illustrated by Rebel Challenger Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd This is the first book in a new junior graphic novel series published by humour specialists Larrikin House.…
