New Reading List: Being Different
Being Different is an annotated list of novels and picture books for children and young adults about children with special abilities or disabilities. Many writers have tackled this challenging topic…
The Little Engine That Could
by Watty Piper illustrated by Dan Santat reviewed by Mia Macrossan This famous story has been re-issued in a 90th anniversary edition with an introduction by Dolly Parton, the founder…
The Mummy Animal Book
by Jennifer Cossins reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jennifer Cossins has written the popular 101 Collective Nouns, A Flamboyance of Flamingos and The Baby Animal Book and now in The Mummy…
Women Artists A to Z
by Melanie LaBarge illustrated by Caroline Corrigan reviewed by Mia Macrossan This thoughtful clever picture book works on several levels so as to appeal to a wide age range. It…
Bedtime Daddy
written by Sharon Giltrow illustrated by Katrin Dreiling reviewed by Barbara Braxton It’s 7.00 pm and it’s time for bed. No more screentime or playtime and regardless of the protests,…
As Fast As I Can
by Penny Tangey reviewed by Mia Macrossan Penny Tangey is a successful author with three well regarded novels to her credit: Two for older readers – Loving Richard Feynman , Clara…
Not My Fault
by Cath Howe reviewed by Sarah Custance Cath Howe is a London based teacher and writer. Her first novel ‘Ella on the Outside’ was nominated for the Carnegie Medal. ‘Not…
NEW! Australian Animals Reading Lists
We have prepared two Reading Lists for use by teachers and parents. Australian Animal Books for Younger Readers features popular classics and many popular titles, written by awarded Australian children’s…
Deeplight
by Frances Hardinge reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, an epic poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, brings home the excitement, wonder and poetry of the sea.…
The Lords of Melody
by Phillip Gwynne reviewed by Sarah Custance Phillip Gwynne has written many books in different genres that have achieved much critical acclaim such as his first novel ‘Deadly Unna?’, the…
The Austen Girls
by Lucy Worsley reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes Jane Austen was and is, an enigma. Her first novels were written anonymously, published with the words ‘by a lady’ under the title.…
No! Never!
by Libby Hathorn and Lisa Hathorn- Jarman illustrated by Mel Pearce reviewed by Mia Macrossan This amusing tale created by award winning author Libby Hathorn and her daughter Lisa Hathorn…
Arthur and the What-Ifs
by Heath McKenzie reviewed by Mia Macrossan Arthur is a dog with a secret desire to play his violin. He has composed a tune but he is too scared to …
Get Out of my Bath
by Britta Teckentrup reviewed by Mia Macrossan Britta Teckentrup is a German born British author and illustrator of over 100 books. This interactive board book is about Ellie the elephant …
Zelda Stitch Term Two: Too Much Witch
by Nicki Greenberg reviewed by Sarah Custance Nicki Greenberg is a double banger author who both writes and illustrates her novels. Her works include the graphic novel adaptions of ‘The…
Aussie Kids: Meet Katie at the Beach
by Rebecca Johnson illustrated by Lucia Masciullo reviewed by Mia Macrossan Congratulations to Puffin Australia for producing a new series aimed at emerging readers who are just gaining a bit…
This Is How We Change The Ending
by Vikki Wakefield reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes This fifth novel from award-winning South Australian novelist Vikki Wakefield tells the story of anti-hero Nate McKee, a kid from the wrong side…
The Year the Maps Changed
by Danielle Binks reviewed by Mia Macrossan This debut novel is set in Sorrento in the Mornington Peninsula in 1999. It is an emotional drama that develops slowly gradually building…
Little Bilby’s Aussie Easter Egg Hunt
by Yvonne Mes illustrated by Jody Pratt reviewed by Mia Macrossan This charming board book contains a lot in a small package. It is the perfect way to introduce your…
Mindy is Strange wins 2020 Short Story Competition
Congratulations to Desmond Doyle, the author of Mindy is Strange, which has won the 2020 Short Story Competition. Judges’ comments: The story was well written and original. It was immediately…
Young Engineers
by Andrew King illustrated by Benjamin Johnston reviewed by Mia Macrossan Andrew King, a Brisbane engineer, writer, and teacher is passionate about introducing young children to the boundless possibilities offered…
The Race for the Red Dragon: Children of the Dragon 2
by Rebecca Lim reviewed by Sarah Custance ‘The Race for the Red Dragon’ is the second novel in the ‘Children of the Dragon’ series by Rebecca Lim, the first being…
Agents of the Wild: Operation Honeyhunt
by Jennifer Bell illustrated by Alice Lickens reviewed by Barbara Braxton Daughter of world-famous botanists who were killed on a flower-collecting expedition in Australia, 8-year-old Agnes now lives with her…
SHORTLIST 2020 Short Story Competition
Congratulations to the 2020 Short Story Competition Shortlisted authors Sharyn Abdullah: Ben’s Secret Weapon Annaleise Byrd: Septic Tank Swim Team Desmond Doyle: Mindy is Strange Anna Quinlan: Stella Fey Joanna…
E-Boy #1 : Lightning Strike
by Anh Do illustrated by Chris Wahl reviewed by Sarah Custance Anh Do is now a household name in children’s books. The master of engaging reluctant readers alongside the likes…
Nevertell
by Katharine Orton This debut novel is an interesting and unusual combination of historical novel and fantasy for readers of 8 to 12. Nevertell is set in Siberia in a…
The Australian Children’s Illustrated Dictionary
by John McIlwain reviewed by Mia Macrossan A dictionary can be a valuable companion when children are at the stage of becoming independent readers and writers. This revised and updated…
Bluey: Bob Bilby
reviewed by Mia Macrossan Bluey is the award-winning and incredibly popular Australian cartoon tv series featuring Bluey, the blue heeler pup and her family: Mum, Dad and her sister Bingo. …
Azaria: A True History
by Maree Coote reviewed by Barbara Braxton On a cool August night 40 years ago, in the shadow of Uluru, a mother laid her baby to sleep in a tent…
Coming Home to Country
by Bronwyn Bancroft reviewed by Melissa Salisbury Described in the blurb as ‘a visual and lyrical depiction of coming home to Country’, this phrase perfectly encapsulates what this book achieves…
