Aggie Flea is NOT a Liar!
Written by Tania Ingram Illustrated by A. Yi Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd South Australian author Tania Ingram has published various picture books, junior fiction stories and the middle grade novel The Other Shadow since making her debut in 2013. Before becoming a full-time
Are We There Yet?
A Journey Around Australia By Alison Lester Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Alison Lester has long been one of Australia's national treasures with an impressive list of award winning children's books to her name. Her first book that she wrote and illustrated herself, Clive
On the Hunt for Santa
By Lesley Gibbes and Stephen Michael King Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray ‘Tis the season for the latest round of holiday picture books to appear. It’s hard for creators to do anything truly fresh in this thematic space, but On the Hunt
Millie Mak the Mender (Millie Mak, #2)
By Alice Pung Illustrated by Sher Rill Ng. Reviewed by Helen Gearing Alice Pung OAM is one of Australia’s most decorated contemporary writers, delivering the State of the (Writing) Nation Address in 2021 and receiving an Order of Australia for her contributions
Urban Legend Hunters: The Dreaded Mr Snipe
Written by Joel McKerrow Illustrated by Wayne Bryant Reviewed by Rebecca Sheraton Joel McKerrow is a well-regarded poet, known for his poetry collections, poetry performances and spoken word/music albums, and he has bravely and successfully stepped into a new literary area, graphic novels
Fledgewitch: A Dragons of Hallow Book
By Lian Tanner Illustrated by Martina Heiduczek Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Lian is a prolific writer of outstanding children’s fantasy. Her books are enjoyable on many levels as she puts her always varied cast of characters in interesting conflicts, has a sense of
Little Horses
By Deborah Kelly & Jenni Goodman Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Out in the bay where sailboats glide, little horses drift and hide…. Living in the calm waters of a bay, in the safety of a coral reef, two little seahorses raise their
Mim and the Vicious Vendetta (The Travelling Bookshop, #5)
By Katrina Nannestad. Illustrated by Cheryl Orsini Reviewed by Helen Gearing Katrina Nannestad, perhaps best known for her multi award-winning historical fiction (Waiting for the Storks; Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief; and We are Wolves), has teamed up with beloved illustrator Cheryl Orsini
The Amazing Maurice
By Terry Pratchett Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Terry Pratchett is the author of over 41 Discworld novels for adults and many stories for children including the five novels featuring the young witch Tiffany Aching - The Wee Free Men, A Hat Full
The Champ!
By Anh Do Illustrated by David Atze Reviewed by Sarah Custance Vietnamese-Australian author Anh Do has written some of the bestselling children’s book series over the last decade and created a devoted fan base of readers. For younger readers he has written the
Alex and the Alpacas Ride Again
By Kathryn Lefroy 2022 Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Alex and the Alpacas Ride Again is a fast-paced sequel to Alex and the Alpacas Save the World, although it can be read as a standalone. Lefroy’s debut novel was shortlisted for the West
Daughter of the Deep
By Rick Riordan Reviewed by Sarah Custance Rick Riordan is the international bestseller of over 30 novels including the much-acclaimed Percy Jackson series. Daughter of the Deep is the first in a new series for Riordan inspired by Jules Verne’s unforgettable character,
Treasure in the Lake
By Jason Pamment Reviewed by Sarah Custance Jason Pamment is an Australian author/illustrator and Treasure in the Lake is his debut graphic novel. Iris and Sam have been friends their whole lives but over the last few years they have found themselves drifting
The Electric Kingdom
By David Arnold Reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes So much of the literature we enjoy today has been inspired by the monumental events of the 20th century: two world wars, the Great Depression, the Cold War and the list goes on. It makes
The World Between Blinks
By Amie Kaufman and Ryan Graudin Reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes What do Amelia Earhart, Prime Minister Harold Holt and Queen Nefertiti have in common? Well, they all disappeared without trace and now make an appearance in the World Between Blinks, a world
The Lost Soul Atlas
By Zana Fraillon Reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes Zana Fraillon is the award winning author of The Bone Sparrow among other creative novels. In The Lost Soul Atlas she delivers another powerful story that, while firmly embedded in the fantasy genre, also provides
Future Friend
By David Baddiel Illustrated by Steven Lenton Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Leonard Cavallaro This interesting tale of time travel, cloning, friendship, compassion and environmental care entertains the reader through regular humour and unique characters. Rahul Agarwal is a lonely genius. He creates inventions with
The End of the World is Bigger than Love
by Davina Bell Reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes Have you ever wondered what would happen if the world stopped turning? Would the sun hang motionless in the sky? Would the tides stop ebbing and flowing? Would survival be impossible? In The End of
Claudette
Written and illustrated by Helene Magisson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Helene's previous books include All About Fairies, Sarah’s Two Nativities, and Little Puggle’s Song. Her work is characterised by a delicate touch and a subtle use of colour. In Claudette she has
The Silver Arrow
by Lev Grossman reviewed by Mia Macrossan A refreshing debut children’s book by Lev Grossman, an American who usually writes adult fantasy. It’s Kate’s birthday and she isn’t expecting much so when her wealthy uncle gives her a huge life size steam train
Orphans of the Tide
by Struan Murray reviewed by Sarah Custance Struan Murray is a Scottish author making a strong debut with his middle-grade novel Orphans of the Tide. The novel draws the reader in so quickly with a fast-paced plot, believable characters and a fantastical
Atticus Van Tasticus
by Andrew Daddo illustrated by Stephen Michael King reviewed by Sarah Custance Adults will know Andrew Daddo from his many TV and radio shows, podcasts, stage productions, movies and even some of his other books. Daddo writes across many genres including picture books,
Vognox the Viking and the Island of Skeletons
by Nick Falk illustrated by Tony Flowers reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the laugh out loud highly illustrated, almost graphic novel of a very reluctant Viking adventurer. Vognox is frightened of everything. He doesn’t want to go outside because there are horrible
The Good Thieves
by Katherine Rundell reviewed by Mia Macrossan A new book by Katherine Rundell is always an event. Her previous novels, including The Explorer and The Wolf Wilder have all been very popular and now here is The Good Thieves, a fast- paced
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 in the series by Jess Black were published this year. Both are written in an
The Rogues #1 Accidental Heroes
Written by Lian Tanner Reviewed by Danielle Freeland Lian Tanner has delivered an action-packed fantasy adventure story with plenty of suspense, you will be turning the pages and wanting more. The Accidental Heroes is the first book in The Rogues series which
Off the Track
Written by Cristy Burne Illustrated by Amanda Burnett Reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lownes Younger readers will find it difficult to contemplate a life without mobile devices, but this is exactly what is imposed on the young characters in this wholesome novel by science writer
