It Sounded Better In My Head
by Nina Kenwood reviewed by Mia Macrossan This delightful debut novel deservedly won the 2018 Text Prize for fiction. It is the affecting story of Natalie and her friends in…
Young Dark Emu: A Truer History
by Bruce Pascoe reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowdnes Young Dark Emu is the latest offering from prolific indigenous author Bruce Pascoe of the Bunurong Clan, Kulin nation. This non-fiction picture book…
Mr Walker Series
Mr Walker and the Dessert Delight Mr Walker Gets the Inside Scoop written by Jess Black illustrated by Sara Acton reviewed by Leslee Anne Hewson These two new hardcover books…
Ron the Royal Guard
Written by Deano Yipadee Illustrated by Paul Beavis Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Have you ever thought about being one of those Royal Guards at Buckingham Palace? Ron the Royal Guard…
Arsenal Board Books Series
The Arsenal ABC and The Arsenal 123 Official Arsenal Product reviewed by Kerry Neary Blatantly commercial, this series has only two titles to date – ABC and 123 – but…
One Tree
Written by Christopher Cheng Illustrated by Bruce Whatley Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zabri One Tree is a tender narrative about the changes through generations, seen from the eyes of a…
A Girl Called Justice
by Elly Griffiths reviewed by Mia Macrossan This traditional murder mystery set in a 1930s girl’s boarding school has all the ingredients of a classic whodunnit. Justice Jones is sent…
Sherlock Bones and the Natural History Mystery
Written and illustrated by Renee Treml Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Renee Treml is the author and illustrator of several successful picture books for very young readers, including: Once I Heard a…
The Day Henry Met … series
The Day Henry Met Actions, Numbers, the ABC and Colours Written and illustrated by Gilly ( Gary Gill) Reviewed by Kerry Neary Already popular from his television series, feature character,…
StoryLinks Short Story Competition
For young writers in Grades 4 – 6 or Grades 7 – 9 All young writers are invited to enter. The short story, maximum of 2000 words, Due date for…
Holly the Honeybee Dancing Star
Written by Gordon Winch Illustrated by Stephen Pym Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zabri Holly the Honeybee Dancing Star, a picture book which highlights a particularly clever trait of the honeybee…
The International Space Station
Written by Clive Gifford Illustrated by Dan Schlitzkus Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson This interesting work deals with the structure and workings of, and living conditions aboard, the International Space Station…
Where’s Lucky?
Written by Jacqui Halpin Illustrated by Sandra Severgnini Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson Based on a true story, this is a beautifully illustrated, colourful and informative picture book highlighting both the…
Dragons in Picture Books
Our latest reading list is all about dragons – the fierce, the bold, the beautiful and also the hungry, the accident-prone, the sleepy, and the short-tempered. Here is a delightful…
The Bug Collector
Written and illustrated by Alex G Griffiths Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Sunday is George’s favourite day of the week, because that’s the day he goes on adventures with his Grandad. …
Meet Genevieve Young author of The Microscope
Genevieve Young, the winner of our 2019 Short Story competition talks about her writing. How long have you been writing for young people? I started trying out some ideas for…
And the 2019 Short Story Competition winner is …
The Microscope by Genevieve Young Buzzzzzzzzzz, buzzed the buzzer in Ward 3B. Roxy waited and watched for the shadow of a nurse in the hallway. She was sure that if…
Squish Rabbit’s Pet
by Katherine Battersby reviewed by Mia Macrossan This story starts at the endpapers as all good picture books should with Squish Rabbit peeking out from behind a large egg. The…
Mummy Cuddle
by Kate Mayes Illustrated by Sara Acton reviewed by Kerry Neary Cute may be as cute may look but there’s more to this delightful creation than shallow, sweet appeal. It’s…
The Bear in our Backyard
by Emma Middleton illustrated by Briony Stewart reviewed by Kerry Neary Still fresh and joyful even after being around for about a year, this is a companion book to The…
Squish Rabbit’s Pet
by Katherine Battersby reviewed by Kerry Neary You can’t take the cute out of books for early childhood readers. Where would iconic characters like Miffy and Spot be if they…
A Quiet Girl
by Peter Carnavas reviewed by Yvonne Mes Mary’s quiet conversations and ponderings are drowned out by the noise of tools, technology and toys used by her busy mother, brother and…
This Is Home: Essential Australian Poems For Children
selected by Jackie French illustrated by Tania McCartney reviewed by Mia Macrossan This beautifully produced book aims to to introduce young readers to the pleasures of poetry and to ‘represent…
Jane Doe and the Cradle of all Worlds #1 The Jane Doe Chronicles
by Jeremy Lachlan reviewed by Mia Macrossan This debut novel just won the Australian Book Industry Book of the Year for Older Readers 13+ . I think that a good…
Little White Fish series
Little White Fish, Little White Fish Is So Happy, Little White Fish Has A Party by Guido van Genechten reviewed by Mia Macrossan This popular series has now been…
Under The Southern Cross
by Frane Lessac Reviewed by Kerry Neary This is a solo offering from the illustrating side of the partnership of Frane Lessac and Mark Greenwood, who create fascinating picture book…
The Sleeping Beauty: The Story Orchestra
Retold by Katy Flint Illustrated by Jessica Courtney-Tickle Reviewed by Kerry Neary Music is as much a way of telling stories as producing beautiful melodies. When the beauty of music…
Eva’s Imagination
Written by Wenda Shurety Illustrated by Karen Erasmus Reviewed by Kerry Neary When children start at school, along with all the physical things they need, they must pack their imagination.…
The Second Sky
Written by Patrick Guest Illustrated by Jonathan Bentley Reviewed by Kerry Neary This gem of a book slipped through my net when it was published in 2017 and shortlisted for…
Ozzie Goes To School
Written by Jocelyn Crabb Illustrated by Danny Snell Reviewed by Kerry Neary Experts say that children should be made school-ready to lessen the anxiety of starting at school. This probably…
