Queensland Literary Awards 2023 Shortlist
Congratulations to all! Children’s Book Award 2023 shortlist The Way of Dog by Zana Fraillon (University of Queensland Press) Judges’ comments: A mistreated puppy’s attempt to reconnect with his ‘ManPup’ becomes…
The Dog Squad: The Newshound
by Clara Vulliamy Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Clara Vulliamy is also the author of Marshmallow Pie The Cat Superstar and the illustrator of The Book Cat, both of which show off…
The Night In Question
By Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Lucille R. Crowley, age 13 This addictive murder mystery follows Alice Ogilvie and Iris Adams as they unravel a dark…
When Clouds Touch Us
By Thanhha Lai Review by Zewlan Moor Thanhhà Lai’s first novel, Inside Out and Back Again, won the National Book Award and a Newbery Honor. It was a verse novel…
Beginnings and Endings
a Play School Mindfully Me book about death and life By Jan Stradling & Jedda Robaard Reviewed by Helen Gearing Beginnings and Endings is the second instalment in the Play…
The Last Comics On Earth
By Max Brallier and Joshua Pruett Illustrated by Jay Cooper and Douglas Holgate Reviewed by Sarah Custance Max Brallier is best known as the author of the much-acclaimed Last Kids…
Amazing Dad
By Alison Brown Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Alison Brown is the creator of Amazing Mum and the soon to be published Amazing Brother so we can see that she has…
Scar Town
By Tristan Bancks Reviewed by Sophia Evans Tristan is the acclaimed author of Two Wolves, The Fall, Detention, Cop & Robber, Nit Boy and Ginger Meggs. His books for upper middle…
Parcel for Koala
By Shelley Knoll-Miller Reviewed by Margarite Igras Shelley Knoll-Miller is an Australian illustrator who loves storytelling. She has written a series of picture books including Parcel for Turtle, Parcel for…
Winner of the 2023 Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction
PRESENTING The Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction WINNER – 2023 Waiting for the Storks by Katrina Nannestad Congratulations to all the shortlisted Authors and Publishers for 2023 Watch…
Sink or Swim: Wolf Girl 9
By Anh Do Illustrated by Lachlan Creagh Reviewed by Sarah Custance Anh Do is undoubtedly one of Australia’s bestselling children’s authors, celebrated for his many series including WeirDo, Hotdog, Ninja…
Meet me at the Moon Tree
By Shivaun Plozza Reviewed by Helen Gearing In The Return of the Prodigal Son, Henri Nouwen says, “Our brokenness has no other beauty but the beauty that comes from the…
Starberries and Kee
By Cate Whittle Reviewed by Liane McDermott Cate Whittle writes fantasy and adventure fiction for children and young adults. Her books include the junior fiction Trouble series and novels for older readers,…
Ember and the Island of Lost Creatures
by Jason Pamment Reviewed by Sarah Custance Jason Pamment is an Australian graphic novelist who quickly gained attention with his first middle grade graphic novel, Treasure in the Lake. Ember…
Paper Boat, Paper Bird
By David Almond Illustrated by Kirsti Beautyman Reviewed by Helen Gearing Part love letter to overseas travel and part highly-illustrated short story, Paper Boat, Paper Bird follows nine-year old Mina…
The Lucky Shack
By Apsara Baldovino and Jennifer Falkner Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This story of time passing for a little shack by the sea is a picture book debut for both creators.…
Edward the Emu
By Sheena Knowles and Rod Clement Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Edward the Emu is celebrating its 35th anniversary. It has lost none of its charm or relevance and continues to…
Find Spot: An Australian Adventure
By Eric Hill Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Spot and his mum and dad are camping near a billabong and exploring the Australian outback, its colours and creatures. As they paddle…
Hamlet is Not OK
By R A Spratt Reviewed by Helen Gearing Signing up to review a new R.A. Spratt novel is slightly terrifying when you’re a long-term fan. Spratt’s previous best-selling series –…
Meet Katrina Nannestad: Book Links 2023 Award for Children’s Historical Fiction Shortlist
By Mia Macrossan There are four brilliant writers on this year’s Book Links Children’s Historical Fiction Award Shortlist: Felice Arena The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan, Katrina Nannestad Waiting for the Storks, Pamela Rushby Interned,…
Game On: Shrinkle
By Emily Snape Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Emily Snape has written and illustrated many books many aimed at young reluctant readers. Shrinkle, the first in a new series called Game…
Meet Felice Arena: Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction shortlist
By Mia Macrossan There are four brilliant writers on this year’s shortlist: Felice Arena : The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan, Katrina Nannestad : Waiting for the Storks; Pamela Rushby : Interned; Claire Saxby : The Wearing of the…
Pasta!
By Felice Arena and Beatrice Cerocchi Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Felice Arena is well known as an actor, speaker, TV presenter and playwright. He has written many award winning books…
Meet Claire Saxby: Book Links 2023 Award for Children’s Historical Fiction Shortlist
By Mia Macrossan There are four brilliant writers on this year’s Book Links Children’s Historical Fiction Award Shortlist: Felice Arena : The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan, Katrina Nannestad : Waiting for the Storks, Pamela Rushby : Interned, Claire…
Reading Pictures – Drawing Words A Database of Picture Books for Older Readers
Welcome to Reading Pictures – Drawing Words the new Picture Books for Older Readers database produced by The National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature with titles suitable for use from Grade…
Mr Chippa The Woodblock Carver of Bagru
By Lee Fullarton Reviewed by Mia Macrossan In 2014 Lee, an artist from Ipswich, lived in India and spent time working with the woodblock carvers of Bagru, a town on…
Dolly Parton’s Billy the Kid Makes it Big
By Dolly Parton with Erica S Perl Illustrated by Mackenzie Haley Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Legendary Dolly Parton has a passion for improving literacy and is working to do that…
Birdie Lights up the World
By Alison McLennan & Lauren Mullinder Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Birdie the penguin was the chosen one. It was her job to light up the world every night, with her…
Fireflies in Flight The Towers #2
By Mette Jakobsen Reviewed by Helen Gearing The second instalment of the urban dystopian series ‘The Towers’, Fireflies in Flight is a YA adventure for readers aged fourteen years and…
Huda Was Here
By H Hayek Reviewed by Charlotte Barkla Huda Was Here is a heartfelt, funny tale of two kids trying to bring their dad back home. After a period of low…
