Etta and the Octopus
By Zana Fraillon & Andrew Joyner Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Zana is the much awarded writer of picture books including The Gargoyle and The Curiosities and books for older readers such The Lost Soul Atlas and The Way of Dog, both reviewed in
The One And Only Ruby
By Katherine Applegate Reviewed by Sophia Evans The One And Only Ruby by Katherine Applegate is a heart-warming follow up to her Newbery Medal – winning The One And Only Ivan, about a gorilla kept in a cage in a mall for
Evie and Rhino
By Neridah McMullin Illustrated by Astred Hicks Reviewed by Helen Gearing Evie and Rhino is historical fiction at its finest – immersive in its worldbuilding without ever neglecting plot and character – and is perfect for readers aged nine years and older
Parcel For Gorilla
By Shelley Knoll-Miller Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Parcel For Gorilla is a companion read to Parcel For Penguin, and part of a series of 4 – so far. This lighthearted story makes clever use of the ‘what’s inside the box’ narrative
Grub
By Sandra Severgnini Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Sandra is really hitting her stride as a children's picture book illustrator as is shown in her impressive new book Grub. By the way, what a wonderfully direct, simple, memorable and somehow very Australian title.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit
By Beatrix Potter Reviewed by Mia Macrossan It is 120 years since a famous rabbit in a little blue jacket made his first appearance. Generations have grown up following Peter Rabbit's desperate adventures in Mr McGregor's garden, pondered the fate of his
Lion Is That You?
By Moira Court Reviewed by Margarite Igras Author and illustrator, Moira Court, has created this captivating picture book of discovery. The reader is led to believe that there could be some lions in the Australian bush. Lions, that once belonged to a
A Tale of Two Dragons
By Geraldine McCaughrean Illustrated by Peter Malone Reviewed by Barbara Braxton The kingdoms of Arbor with its lush forests, and Pomosa rich with farmland, are separated by a high, thorny hedge and they have no love between them. But at night, the children
Animal Train: Wolf Girl 6
By Anh Do Illustrated by Lachlan Creagh Reviewed by Sarah Custance Anh Do has become one of the most well-known household names in children’s literature with his first few series including: WeirDO, HotDog, and Ninja Kid. For the last few years, he mas
Wandi
By Favel Parrett Illustrated by Zoe Ingram Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “The thing I remember most is my mamma’s soft tail, warm and snug … I could hear my mamma’s heartbeat – strong and constant. Always there. But one day Mamma’s heartbeat changed.
Pony
by R.J. Palacio Reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes Looking at the attractive cover of this book, one could be forgiven for thinking that Pony, by R.J. Palacio, is a book about a boy and his pony. However, Pony is so much more. The
Catvinkle and the Missing Tulips
by Elliot Perlman illustrated by Laura Stitzel reviewed by Barbara Braxton Catvinkle lives in Amsterdam, with her barber-owner Mr. Sabatini, and she likes to think that the world revolves around her, as cats generally do. From her basket near the fireplace in what
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
The Sloth and the Dinglewot
by Nicole Prust illustrated by Amanda Enright reviewed by Barbara Braxton Down near the banks of the lazy lagoon, Where the trees slowly swayed in the light of the moon, A family of sloths slept soundly asleep As the birds of the sunrise started to
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 Animal Book she focuses on mothers and their offspring. She has chosen 14
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 writers, all about iconic Australian animals with a recommended reading
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 who loves to make waves in her bath. The reader is invited to
Bitsy
by Nikki Greenberg reviewed by Mia Macrossan Greenberg is well known for her graphic adaptations of The Great Gatsby and Hamlet (joint winner of the 2011 Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year award) but here she has come
Little Puggle’s Song
by Vikki Conley illustrated by Helene Magisson reviewed by Mia Macrossan This attractive and beautifully designed picture book centres on the struggles of a baby echidna or puggle who desperately wants to join in with the other animals to create music in the
Leaving the Lyrebird Forest
written by Gary Crew illustrated by Julian Laffan reviewed by Yvonne Mes Pondering a future beyond the forest, Alice a young girl, befriends a lyrebird and the elderly widower nearby. Alice is an independent and confident girl, who we follow from the age
Animal Rights Reading List
Animal rights is a perennial topic studied in schools throughout Australia. Teacher Librarian Dajo Finlayson has prepared a reading list of novels that will provide a sound basis for developing awareness of this always current always relevant subject. Now available
The Hole
Written by Kerry Brown, Illustrated by Lucia Masciullo Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson If you were walking through the woods and a hole you came upon, would you stop and take a look? Or simply carry on? One by one, several animals come upon a strange black
Bravelands#1 Broken Pride
written by Erin Hunter reviewed by Lucy McGinley Prepare yourself for an emotional roller coaster as you are immersed into the world of wild animals. Bravelands: Broken Pride, will have you crouching in the savannah grasses like a lion cub, pounding your
Ash Dresses her Friends
by Fu Wenzheng Ash Dresses her Friends is a classic picture book about a quiet but steadfast animal. Like Ferdinand by Munro Leaf, it has a striking cover in red, black and white, with decorative silhouettes of flowers. Where Ferdinand’s peers come
The Very Noisy Baby
written and illustrated by Alison Lester The Very Noisy Baby is a sweet early childhood picture book about a baby who mimics animals sounds. One by one people are drawn together in their quest to find their missing animal be it
Scarface Claw, Hold Tight!
by Lynley Dodd As an author honoured for her contribution to children’s literature, expectations for Dame Lynley Dodd’s long awaited next instalment were naturally high. Scarface Claw, Hold Tight! does not disappoint and Dodd delivers a fun lively tale that’s based
The Fox and the Star
written and illustrated by Coralie Bickford-Smith Particular Books/Penguin Australia 64 pp paperback $19.99 hardback $35.00 ISBN 978-1-846-14850-7 The Fox and the Star is an outstanding book, to be enjoyed by all ages and one to keep and treasure forever. It was first
The Lion in Our Living Room
by Emma Middleton illustrated by Briony Stewart Affirm Press 2017 32 pp hardback $21.99 ISBN 9781925584226 This is the story of two children, a boy and a girl, and their dog who wonder if ‘the mighty lion’ may come out and play
Parmesan the Reluctant Racehorse
by Jacqui Halpin illustrated by John Phillips Little Pink Dog Books 2017 32 pp hardback $21.66 ISBN 9780994626929 This picture book for young children is about Parmesan the reluctant racehorse who actually thinks he is a dog. Both his parents are famous
