We’re Going to the Zoo
Taronga Conservation Society Australia Illustrated by Cate James Reviewed by Mia Macrossan 'Today is a special day. We're going to the Zoo!' begins this charming and informative account of mum and two children spending the day at Tarong Zoological Park. They do the
Odder
By Katherine Applegate & Charles Santoso Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This American writer has won awards too numerous to mention, including the Newbery medal for The One and Only Ivan. Odder, another story about animal welfare, is about the life of an
Volcano
By Claire Saxby & Jess Racklyeft Reviewed by Sophia Evans ‘Deep in the ocean, far beyond the reach of even the brightest sun, the earth quakes.’ Thorough research is interwoven with lyrical language to bring the journey of a new mountain to life.
Hatch
By Heidi Cooper Smith Reviewed by Tyrion Perkins Heidi Cooper Smith is a Brisbane based Illustrator and also author of her own picture books, Six Sleepy Mice, Too Many Ducks, Odd Sock Sid, and Secrets of the Seasons. At first glance, Hatch appears
Jonty Gentoo: The Adventures of a Penguin
By Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson This is yet another wonderful picture book created by the award-winning British partnership of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, they of the well-known Gruffalo series. They have also collaborated on Zog, Super
Kevin Saves the Show
By Jacqueline Harvey & Kate Isobel Scott Reviewed by Margarite Igras Prolific Australian author Jacqueline Harvey is known for her numerous works such as the Willa and Woof, Kensy and Max, Alice-Miranda, and Clementine Rose series. As a teacher she often wrote
Sunny Finds His Song
By Cate Storey & Penny Watson, illustrated by Sarah Matsuda. Reviewed by Tyrion Perkins Sunny Finds His Song is the third picture book by Cate Storey and Sarah Matsuda. After covering nocturnal Australian animals in Snuggled Away https://storylinks.booklinks.org.au/2022/10/02/snuggled-away/ and the Greater Glider
Meerkat Mayhem
By Mem Fox and Judy Horacek Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Meerkat Mayhem is the latest from longtime collaborators Mem Fox and Judy Horacek. It is in the tradition of ‘chain tales’, like The Gigantic Turnip, which has appeared in myriad
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
A Beginner’s Guide to Choosing the Perfect Pet
By Ali Rutstein & Tommy Doyle Reviewed by Helen Gearing ‘Every family should have a pet. A faithful friend to welcome into your hearts and home.’ Rutstein’s debut picture book with Niña Nill, Ladybirds Do Not Go to Daycare was a CBCA notable
The Glad Not Sad Book
By Kim Michelle Toft Reviewed by Margarite Igras Multi-award-winning Australian author and illustrator Kim Michelle Toft has written several picture books showcasing the beauty and importance of Nature and its role in our lives. Her books stand out with their luminous detailed
What Noise Does the Baby Make?
By Jacinta Froud & Cat MacInnes Reviewed by Mia Macrossan If a pig goes OINK and a goat goes MAA what noise does the sheep make? Turn the page to a big double page spread and see a flock of sheep all
Purinina
By Christina Booth Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Christina Booth is the award-winning author of eight, and illustrator of over twenty books for children, including Are These Hen's Eggs?, the CBCA Honour Book Kip and Welcome Home, which won The Environment Award for
But Then
The almost true story of an overdue book By Swapna Haddow & Daron Parton Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Swapna has written many books for children including the award winning Dave Pigeon and Bad Panda. Her stories are full of humour and invention. Daron
South with the Seabirds
Follow four remarkable scientists to the edge of the world By Jess McGeachin Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Non fiction picture books are having quite a moment right now, and South with the Seabirds is a wonderful addition from author and illustrator
The Best Present Ever
By Zoë Foster Blake & Lucinda Gifford Reviewed by Mia Macrossan All children adore presents and here is a catalogue of imagined perfect gifts - ranging from magical creatures to candy-filled swimming pools. Obviously money, time, space, local government guidelines and bylaws
Rock Dogs
By Sally Barns & Anil Tortop Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Looking for a book that Rocks? Well, this is the one. In a small, sleepy town thrashed a ROCK’N’ROLL BAND and on lead guitar was a dachshund named Dan. With Barry, the bulldog
The Last Zookeeper
By Aaron Becker Reviewed by Barbara Braxton In a not-so-futuristic time, the Earth has flooded and the waters continue to rise. The only signs of humankind are the waterlogged structures they left behind. Peeking out from the deluge are the remnants of a
Homegrown: Blueberry Farm #2
By Stephen Michael King Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Stephen Michael King is a much loved and much awarded writer and illustrator whose work includes Koala Ark, Three, Pea Pod Lullaby, The Man Who Loved Boxes, My Dad is a Giraffe and many
Zoo School
By Heath McKenzie Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Heath McKenzie is a Melbourne-based author and illustrator who specialises in stylised digital illustrations (aiming to make them look as non-digital as possible). He has written and or illustrated over 40 books. This one, Zoo
Feelings are Wild
By Sophy Williams & Gavin Scott Reviewed by Margarite Igras Sophy Williams is the author of The ABC of Cuddles and her second picture book is a counting book that includes emotional vocabulary to help children understand their challenging, and at times
Parcel for Turtle
Written & illustrated by Shelley Knoll-Miller Reviewed by Sandy Driessens 'Parcel for Turtle!' shouts a dolphin-riding Post-Seagull. He skillfully delivers the beautifully wrapped parcel by fishing line and you soon discover why. Turtle and his friends are stranded! Pesky pelicans are blocking their
In My Garden
By Kate Mayes & Tamsin Ainslie Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Kate Mayes has written quite a few picture books including Daddy Cuddle and Mummy Cuddle, and my favourites The Bum Book, The Christmas Bum Book and The Easter Bum Book, the last
How to Hatch a Dragon
Written and illustrated by Nick Bland Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Nick Bland is the creator of the popular series that started with The Very Cranky Bear and includes The Very Itchy Bear. How to Hatch a Dragon is the first in a
Heavy
By Dannika Patterson & Davilyn Lynch Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Dannika Patterson has built a reputation for gentle storytelling from a child’s perspective. Previous popular titles like Jacaranda Magic and Scribbly Gum Secrets invite the reader to see the natural world through a child’s imagination
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 song. This was her great responsibility. Her friends depended on her to
Diary of a Rescued Wombat: The Untold Story
By Jackie French and Bruce Whatley Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the twentieth anniversary of the publication of the first book about Mothball, the lovable wombat who has stolen the hearts and minds of countless children. It has even been commemorated
Naturopolis
Created by Deborah Frenkel and Ingrid Bartkowiak Reviewed by Mia Macrossan In our very busy lives rushing from one task to the next we don't often take the time to enjoy the unobserved beauty around us. In Naturopolis Deborah Frenkel and Ingrid
My First Book of Aussie Animals
By Gordon Winch and Stephen Pym Reviewed by Sarah Custance My First Book of Aussie Animals is the newest addition to the series of My First Book of’s by Gordon Winch and illustrated by Stephen Pym, which follows on from My First
The Boy and the Elephant
By Freya Blackwood Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This sensitive wordless picture book by multi award winning artist and storyteller Freya Blackwood can be enjoyed and shared by all ages. A boy lives in a city where everything is fast and loud but amidst
