The Lost Island
By Samantha Wheeler Illustrated by Anke Noack UQP 2026 Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Samantha Wheeler has written several popular books focused on nature and wildlife including Devils in Danger, Mister Cassowary, Smooch & Rose, Wombat Warriors and more. In The Lost Island, while the focus is
Mortal Engines: Bridge of Storms
By Philip Reeve Scholastic 2026 Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Philip’s first book was the epic YA steampunk Mortal Engines, 2001, which created a world of ‘municipal Darwinism’, where rampaging motorised towns and cities are on the move, attacking and eating each other, prowling around looking for
Duck Look Who’s Talking! (Duck, #1)
By Matt Stanton Reviewed by Sandhya Parappukkaran Matt Stanton is the award-winning author and illustrator of multiple best-selling book series for children including Funny Kid, The Odds, Bored and Fluff, and many excellent picture books. His books have won awards including the
The Night Tiger
By Sherryl Clark & Hannah Sommerville Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Sheryll Clark is a prolific and much- awarded and beloved Australian author of more than 70 published children’s and YA books, including novels, chapter books, picture books and verse novels. She writes
Neeka and the Great Search (Wilder Zoo, #3)
By Tina Strachan Illustrated by Max Hamilton Reviewed by Jenny Ruge Neeka and the Great Search is the third book in the Wilder Zoo series by Tina Strachan and Max Hamilton, the first is Neeka and the Missing Key (Wilder Zoo, #1) which
Into the Bewilderness
By Gus Gordon Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Gus Gordon is one of Australia’s most respected author/illustrators of picture books, with over 80 titles sold into multiple territories. Not only are his books loved by children, they are the ones that pop
Starfell: Willow Moss and the Magic Thief
By Dominique Valente Illustrated by Sarah Warburton Reviewed by Sarah Custance Willow Moss and the Magic Thief is the 4th and newest installment of these fun, magical, adventurous middle-grade books in the Starfell series, with the talented Sarah Warburton returning to add delightful
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 as she spends a holiday in Kyoto, Japan, with her mother. In terms
Dusty in the Outwilds
By Rhiannon Williams Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian author Rhiannon Williams is the mind behind the award winning Ottilie Colter and the Narroway Hunt Trilogy. Since the first book’s original publication in 2018, the trilogy has also been released in Dutch and
