The Secret Library of Hummingbird House
By Julianne Negri Reviewed by Analucia Malta The Secret Library of Hummingbird House is Julianne Negri’s debut novel where she draws on her own experiences going through divorce and custody…
Ten Little Yoga Frogs
By Hilary Robinson and Mandy Stanley Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This bright, colourful, traditional rhyming counting book has the added bonus of all the characters doing yoga and an invitation…
My Summer With Grandad
Written and illustrated by Tom Tinn-Disbury Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Tom is a UK based illustrator who has worked for various publishers. The Caveman Next Door was his debut as…
Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature
Produced by The Natural History Museum Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The Natural History Museum has a whole exhibition based on the theme of real and fantastical animals and the relationships…
The Best Mum
By Penny Harrison & Sharon Davey Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Everyone loves their mum but sometimes you can’t help yourself looking at other people’s mums and comparing. In this…
HUGO The boy with the curious mark
By Yohann Devezy Illustrated by Manuela Adreani Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “Hugo was born with a curious mark. It looked like a rainbow. His family told him not to worry…
CBCA Notables Announced
Congratulations to all the brilliant creators, the writers, illustrators, designers, everyone who helped create such a wonderful collection of books for children. Here is the FULL LIST for you to…
A Case of Grave Danger #1 The Violet Veil Mysteries
By Sophie Cleverly Illustrated by Hannah Peck Reviewed by Sarah Custance Sophie Cleverly is the UK author of the Scarlet and Ivy series which has now been published in six…
Listen Layla
by Yassmin Abdel-Magied Reviewed by Zewlan Moor From the first few pages, main character Layla demonstrates her energy and irrepressible spirit by dancing around “like a whirling dervish from Sudan,…
The Last Bear
By Hannah Gold Illustrated by Levi Pinfold Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The Last Bear is Hannah Gold’s first ever published book and it is a powerful tale of how hope…
The Dragon and Her Boy
By Penny Chrimes Illustrated by Levente Szabo Reviewed by Mia Macrossan British writer Penny Chrimes, a former journalist, is also the author of Tiger Heart, set in the same alternate…
Azaria : A True History
Written and illustrated by Maree Coote Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson What happens when the truth gets lost? What happens when there is a gross miscarriage of justice perpetrated by the…
Zinnia Jakes: The Tumbling Tortoises
By Brenda Gurr Illustrated by Nancy Leschnikoff Reviewed by Sarah Custance This is Australian author Brenda Gurr’s second early readers book and the sequel to Zinnia Jakes: The Crumbling Castle.…
Scoop McLaren: Waves of Mystery
By Helen Castles Illustrated by Beatriz Castro Reviewed by Sarah Custance Helen Castles is still a fairly new author with Waves of Mystery being her second novel and the sequel…
The Sad Ghost Club: Volume 1
By Lize Meddings Reviewed by Sarah Custance Lize Meddings is a UK author and keen advocate for raising awareness for mental health. The Sad Ghost Club is her first graphic…
The Lost Soul Atlas
By Zana Fraillon Reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes Zana Fraillon is the award winning author of The Bone Sparrow among other creative novels. In The Lost Soul Atlas she delivers another…
Once I Munched a Mango
By Samantha Wheeler Illustrated by Shannon Horsfall Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Samantha Wheeler is a versatile writer perhaps best known for her middle grade animal rescue stories such as Wombat…
Bears Don’t Wear Shoes
Written and illustrated by Sharon Davey Reviewed by Margarite Igras Bears Don’t Wear Shoes is the first title Sharon Davey has both written and illustrated herself. Born in England she…
Little Lion: A long way home
Written by Saroo Brierley; with Larry Buttrose Illustrated by Bruce Whatley Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Many readers will be familiar with Saroo Brierley’s story, as seen in the award-winning film,…
In the Deep End
Written & illustrated by Charlie Thomson Reviewed by Zewlan Moor In the Deep End is one of the twelve new picture books for Queensland’s youngest readers published as part of First…
Tinsel: The Girls Who Invented Christmas
By Sibeal Pounder Reviewed by Sarah Custance Sibeal Pounder is the award winning author of the Witch Wars series as well as the Bad Mermaids books. Her newest book, Tinsel,…
Aster’s Good, Right Things
By Kate Gordon Reviewed by Sarah Custance Kate Gordon, an Australian librarian and writer, is the author of Girl Running, Boy Falling, Juno Jones: Word Ninja, and The Heartsong of…
All Dogs Have ADHD
By Kathy Hoopman Reviewed by Yvonne Mes This delightful revised edition takes an inspiring and affectionate look at Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). With all-new images from the canine world,…
All Cats Are On the Autism Spectrum
By Kathy Hoopmann Reviewed by Yvonne Mes This book explains a little of what it is like to be a person who is on the Autism Spectrum. It was first…
The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s First 100 Words
A lift-the-flap book by Eric Carle Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Eric Carle has a long and distinguished career as a children’s picture book creator. His distinctive colourful style in his…
What Do You Call Your Grandpa?
By Ashleigh Barton Illustrated by Martina Heiduczek Reviewed by Margarite Igras This debut book by Australian author, Ashleigh Barton is a delightful and informative read about the different names children…
Hotel for Bees
By Alison McLennan Illustrated by Erin Dunne Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Alison is a Queensland children’s writer, author of the graphic novel A Flood in the Village. Erin is an…
StoryLinks Short Story competition opens
It’s that time of year again. Calling all writers of short stories for children to enter in the StoryLinks Short Story competition. This is a fabulous opportunity for every writer,…
How to Avoid Witches/Roald Dahl
By Kay Woodward Illustrated by Quentin Blake Reviewed by Junior Reviewer, Ramona Naulty, aged 11 Inspired by Roald Dahl’s spine-tingling story The Witches, this is a fun, interactive activity book suitable…
Elvis Eager and the Golden Egg: Monty’s Island #3
By Emily Rodda Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The third and latest novel in the Monty’s Island series written by Emily Rodda is chapter book for a beginning readers profusely illustrated…