STAND OUT Middle Grade Novels 2023
Readers aged around eight to twelve have been fortunate this year with a bumper crop of great new novels this year. Established authors have continued to delight us with stories…
Christmas books
A selection of new and old favourites for everyone to enjoy and share at Christmas. Christmas Books
STAND OUT Picture Books 2023
Picture book creators continue to amaze and delight with their imaginative response to our world. The boundaries of what is considered suitable for a picture book continue to expand. Writers,…
The Boy Who Slept Through Christmas
Written by Matt Lucas Illustrated by Forrest Burdett Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Matt Lucas is a British actor and comedian best known for his work with David Walliams on the…
Run Pups Run
By Kerri Day & Nicky Johnston Reviewed by Margarite Igras Kerri Day is a former primary school teacher who enjoys writing stories which encourage younger readers to discover the natural…
Pepper Masalah and the Giant Bird
By Rosanne Hawke Illustrated by Jasmine Berry Reviewed by Sophia Evans Pepper Masalah and the Giant Bird continues the journey of Pepper (a copper-eyed cat) and Zamir (a human). It…
Skye Blackburn-Lang: Eating Bugs for the Planet
By Dianne Wolfer Reviewed by Sophia Evans Skye Blackburn-Lang: Eating Bugs for the Planet is part of the Aussie STEM Stars series that aims to provide inspiring stories of our…
The Elf on the Shelf’s Night Before Christmas
By Chanda A. Bell Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson and Theo, aged 8 Following on from the previous Elf on the Shelf books (2005 to present day) this title is the…
Parcel for Turtle
Written & illustrated by Shelley Knoll-Miller Reviewed by Sandy Driessens ‘Parcel for Turtle!’ shouts a dolphin-riding Post-Seagull. He skillfully delivers the beautifully wrapped parcel by fishing line and you soon…
Hunter on Holiday, A Big Trip Around Europe
Written by Jessica and Stephen Parry-Valentine & illustrated by Ashlee Spink Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Hunter has a long, long list of places that she wants to see. She has…
Little Ash Sports Carnival! Book #7 Little Ash
By Ash Barty & Jasmin McGaughey Illustrated by Jade Goodwin Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Little Ash is in Year Two at her school which is gearing up for a sports carnival. Ash…
Little Ash Puppy Playtime! Book #8 Little Ash
by Ash Barty & Jasmin McGaughey Illustrated by Jade Goodwin Reviewed by Mia Macrossan What child can resist a story about a playful puppy? It’s a fail safe topic guaranteed to get…
BEST MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN’S BOOKS OF 2023
BEST MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN’S BOOKS OF 2023 This is a carefully curated list presented annually by the Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature whose mission is ‘ to preserve…
What My Daddy Loves
Written and illustrated by Raissa Figueroa Reviewed by Margarite Igras Californian based Raissa Figueroa has written and illustrated this simple yet touching book about the special relationship between fathers and…
Book Links December Newsletter
Wrapping up 2023… It has been an amazingly productive year. We delivered 1 Narelle Oliver Lecture, 1 film showing, 1 mentorship, 1 book award, 2 writing competitions, 2 Romancing the…
Never a Hero: Only a Monster 2
By Vanessa Len Reviewed by Helena Never a Hero, written by Vanessa Len is the second in a three-book series, following Only a Monster. This fantasy-romance, set in England, tells…
Murder on a School Night
By Kate Weston Reviewed by Liane McDermott Described by the publisher as Sex Education meets A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, this YA novel for readers 14+ is a fun,…
The Marvellers (The Conjureverse, #1)
By Dhonielle Clayton Reviewed by Bryani-Rose The novel, The Marvellers, written by Dhonielle Clayton is a captivating and magical tale that transports readers into a world of wonder. The story follows…
Only This Beautiful Moment
By Abdi Nazemian Reviewed by Liane McDermott This beautiful and richly layered story unfolds the lives and experiences of three generations of teenage boys from the Jafarzadeh family. Powerful vignettes…
Santa’s Secret
By Mike Dumbleton & Tom Jellett Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Mike Dumbleton is a prolific writer who has created about thirty picture books, plus junior fiction and non-fiction, some YA,…
The Christmas Wish (The Wish Sisters series)
By Allison Rushby Illustrated by Karen Blair Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the fifth in this series aimed at newly independent readers written by Brisbane author Allison Rushby. In…
The Nutcracker
By ET A Hoffmann Retold by Susanne Koppe, translated from the German by Anthea Bell Illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Many people are familiar with the ballet…
Nothing Ever Happens
By Heidi McKinnon Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Heidi McKinnon is the author and illustrator of many wonderfully offbeat picture books, including I Just Ate my Friend, It’s A Long Way to the…
Michelle Simmons: Quantum computing scientist/Aussie STEM Stars
By Nova Weetman Illustrated by Mirjana Segan Reviewed by Helen Gearing In exceptional timing, this book was published in the same month that Michelle Simmons AO won the 2023 Prime…
Butterfly Girl
By Ashling Kwok Illustrated by Arielle Li Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian author Ashling Kwok likes to create children’s stories that speak to the heart. This picture book is about…
No Brainer: Diary of a Wimpy Kid (18)
By Jeff Kinney Reviewed by Sandhya Parappukkaran and Thomas In addition to having a permanent place on the New York Times bestseller list, I’m sure these books have helped many…
Princess Ever After
By Connie Glynn Reviewed by Lucille Rose Princess Ever After is the fifth and final instalment of the Rosewood Chronicles. It begins with Lottie, who is the princess portman –…
Giovanni: A true story of survival – a voyage re imagined
By Crystal Corocher Illustrated by Margeaux Davis Reviewed by Margarite Igras The author, Crystal Corocher has written this heartfelt and historical story about how her ancestors from Veneto, Italy migrated…
Begin Again: A map of our past and guide for our future
The Story of How We Got Here and Where We Might Go By Oliver Jeffers Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Oliver Jeffers is an award-winning and best-selling author and illustrator…
The Impossible Secret of Lillian Velvet
A Kingdoms and Empires Book By Jaclyn Moriarty Illustrated by Kelly Canby Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jaclyn Moriarty is the award winning author of novels for children, young adults and…
