Hazel’s Treehouse
Written by Zanni Louise Illustrated by Judy Watson Reviewed by Jamie Willis Zanni Louise is the internationally published author of more than forty books for children, including picture books, junior fiction, middle grade and young adult. Her books have been recognised by prominent
Taronga Presents
Written by Kristin Darell Illustrated by Laura Wood Reviewed by Helen Gearing Created in partnership with Taronga Conservation Society Australia, ‘Taronga Presents’ is a well researched junior fiction series for animal lovers six years and older. Written by Kristin Darell (author of the
Turtle Moon
By Hannah Gold Illustrated by Levi Pinfold Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Life has been unflash in the Trevelon household for some time as Silver's parents try unsuccessfully to have another child and discover that it is not going to happen. So much so
Astrochimp
Written by David Walliams Illustrated by Adam Stower Reviewed by Jamie Willis David Walliams is the bestselling author of more than 40 books for children, and Astrochimp is his debut graphic novel, illustrated in full colour by the award-winning Adam Stower. Chump the chimpanzee
Bluey Trains
Illustrated by Rafferty Amor Reviewed by Mia Macrossan One for young readers just starting to read on their own, this illustrated chapter book for 6+ readers features a famous Australian tv icon. Yes, I am talking about Bluey, that Australian blue heeler
The Wish Sisters: The Running Wish; The Pet Wish
By Allison Rushby Illustrated by Karen Blair Reviewed by Helen Gearing A baby sister who can make wishes come true. A mischievous imp who likes to twist wishes and make them go wrong. A nosy neighbour. A very public sports carnival and fundraiser.
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 Kid, E-Boy, and Sky Dragon. The Wolf Girl books are easily his most
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 and the Island of Lost Creatures is his second graphic novel aimed
Parcel for Penguin
By Shelley Knoll-Miller Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Shelley is an Australian illustrator with a love of storytelling – the sillier the better. Parcel for Penguin is the third in the series after Parcel for Koala and Parcel for Gorilla. Penguin is surprised and
Stories of the Night
By Kitty Crowther Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Kitty is a Belgian illustrator and writer who won the 2010 Astrid Lindgren Award, the biggest prize in children’s literature. In Stories of the Night she tells in words and pictures three little stories all
Amazing Mum
By Alison Brown Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Alison Brown is an English writer and illustrator who has also written the companion title Amazing Dad. Amazing Mum show mums in action – snuggling in bed reading a book to her children, magically finding
Sleep Through the Night (Teeny Tiny Stevies)
By Byll Stephen & Beth Stephen Teeny Tiny Stevies Illustrated by Simon Howe Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Sisters Byll and Beth Stephen are the band, Teeny Tiny Stevies which won an ARIA Award for the 2020 Best Children's Album 'Thoughtful Songs For Little People'. Now
Astonishingly Good Stories
By R. A. Spratt Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd A. Spratt is a NSW-based author best known for the hilarious middle grade series Nanny Piggins, Friday Barnes and The Peski Kids. She also launched an extremely popular podcast, ‘Bedtime Stories with R. A.
Sloth Slept On
Written and illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon Reviewed by Mia Macrossan I am a great fan of Preston-Gannon's work since seeing her illustrations in I Am The Seed That Grew The Tree, a collection of nature poems selected by Fiona Waters. Frann has
Storm Goliath
Written by James Sellick Illustrated by Craig Shuttlewood Reviewed by Margarite Igras This attractive and instructive picture book about anger management has very expressive illustrations and includes an introduction to some creative language to explain the behaviour. Goliath the gorilla can move from feeling
Kind
Written and illustrated by Jess McGeachin Reviewed by Margarite Igras This beautifully illustrated picture book has a surprisingly loaded title. Yes, it is about the different kinds of creatures that inhabit our tiny spinning dot/the perfect place, in all of space/And only
Under the Moonlight
Written and illustrated by Susannah Crispe Reviewed by Margarite Igras This gentle and heart-warming picture book is a wonderfully endearing story about an unusual friendship, that provides comfort when afraid, and shows that strength is not dependent on size. Moose has been foraging
Group Hug!: A Collective Noun Safari
By Andy Fackrell Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Have you heard of a flamboyance of flamingos? Perhaps a bloat of hippos or even an implausibility of gnus? Wilbur is on a journey through his local zoo, visiting his favourite animals and discovering the wonderful
Cranky Chicken: Party Animals
By Katherine Battersby Reviewed by Sarah Custance Katherine Battersby is an Australian author/illustrator now living in Canada with her family. Before heading into the world of children’s literature she worked as a paediatric occupational therapist, to date she has written over a
The World’s Worst Pets
by David Walliams Illustrated by Adam Stower Reviewed by Mia Macrossan David Walliams needs no introduction as he has been a popular fixture in the children's book world for many years. His 'World's Worst' series has featured children, parents and teachers and now
A Best Friend for Bear
by Petr Horàcek Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Black Bear is feeling lonely, so he decides to look for a friend. Luckily, he meets Brown Bear, who is in the same situation! The bears decide to search for a friend together. They search
Seal Child
By Robert Vescio and illustrated by Anna Pignataro Reviewed by Sarah Custance Sydney based author Robert Vescio has written over a dozen picture books and has achieved international success with actor Tom Hardy reading Under the Same Sky as a bedtime story
Story Doctors
Written by Boori Pryor Illustrated by Rita Sinclair Reviewed by Des. Crump Boori Monty Pryor was born in Townsville, North Queensland. His father is from the Juru people of Cape Upstart from the Bowen region. His mother is a descendant of the Gurubana
The What on Earth Institute of Wonder
By Lisa Nicol Reviewed by Sarah Custance Lisa Nicol is the author of the CBCA Notable book Boogaloo and the Girl Who Lost Her Laughter along with Vincent and the Grandest Hotel on Earth which has gained a worldwide audience and has
Einstein the Penguin
By Iona Rangeley Illustrated by David Tazzyman Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This charming animal story is the debut novel of a young Oxford graduate illustrated in a zany cartoon style that perfectly suits the subject. It is set in London in late December. The
Mrs Koala’s Beauty Parlour
By Catherine Jinks and Tania McCartney Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The first book of Catherine Jinks that I read was Pagan's Crusade (1992) which grew out of her love of medieval history. Since then she has written many award winning novels including
Rosie-May Blue: Mayhem at the Pet Show
By P E Woods Illustrated by Pene Chadwick Reviewed by Sarah Custance P.E. Woods is a keen lover of animals and literacy, both of which she strives to ignite a passion for in the children that she teaches. Rosie-May Blue: Mayhem at the
An Unexpected Hero: Pow Pow Pig 1
By Anh Do Illustrated by Peter Cheong Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Anh Do has written many books for young people, all of them wildly popular. They are usually heavily illustrated, simply written with an easily accessible story and a message that appeals to
Cat Dog
By Mem Fox Illustrated by Mark Teague Reviewed by Mia Macrossan The latest hardback picture book by national treasure Mem Fox, illustrated by Mark Teague, is a cleverly constructed question and answer story that is unexpected in many delightful ways. The opening So there
The Bark Book
By Victoria Mackinlay Illustrated by Beth Harvey Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “Dog bark. Tree bark. Let’s go see bark.” You can feel the joy and excitement when you first see this cover so … is it about Dog bark or Tree bark? When
