The Farmer’s Pyjamas
By Ruth Paul Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Before the farmer’s day is done, she does her chores, one by one. She milks the cow, counts the sheep, sings the piglets off to sleep. But if she is to get a well-earned, sound night's sleep she needs
Is This a Plum?
By Dan & Finn Ojari Reviewed by Barbara Braxton The fun starts on the front cover with the title, a cut-out that just invites you to open it and reveals
Oh No!
By James Foley Reviewed by Mia Macrossan James Foley is well known for his original and unconventional take on life. His books for children are characterised by a zany humour, challenging ideas and memorable illustration. His CBCA Notable Bigfoot vs Yeti (A
Storm
By Claire Saxby & Jess Racklyeft Reviewed by Mia Macrossan These two talented creators have collaborated again to create a wonderful evocation of a storm at sea. Previous works reviewed in StoryLinks include Volcano and Tree, but they both have an impressive list
We’re Going on a Teddy Hunt
By Martha Mumford & Cherie Zamazing Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is part of the popular series The Bunnies of Hoppity Hill. Young children love lift-the-flap books and here is one that is sure to engage and delight. We're Going on a
Bun
By Hana Kinoshita Thomson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Hana is a Japanese-American- Australian illustrator, designer and author and the in-house book designer at Allen & Unwin. Here is her debut picture book, a delightful story about a rabbit called Bun which has
Emmie
By Marjorie Crosby-Fairall Reviewed by Margarite Igras Marjorie was very young when she decided to become an illustrator. Today, after gaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustrations, she is an internationally published illustrator of over twenty children’s books. She received the
Hello, Spring Baby!
By Jess Racklyeft Reviewed by Margarite Igras Jess Racklyeft is a prolific award-winning Australian author and illustrator, with over 40 picture books and board books under her wing. She won the 2022 CBCA Children’s Book of the Year for her richly detailed
A Song for the King
By Katrina Nannestad & Freya Blackwood Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Both Katrina Nannestad and Freya Blackwood have been much awarded for their children's books. Katrina's books include the CBCA-shortlisted We Are Wolves, The Girl Who Brought Mischief, The Travelling Bookshop series, The Girl,
The Colours of Nature
By Catherine Barr & Chaaya Prabhat Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Our natural world provides many examples of gorgeous, stunning animals and plants that fascinate young readers. A book that celebrates the beauty and diversity around us is a perfect way to engage
World of Colour
By Jess Racklyeft Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jess is a versatile illustrator who has worked with many writers including Claire Saxby (Tree, Whisper on the Wind, Iceberg) to create outstanding picture books, as well as carving out a name for herself as a sole creator (There’s
Hedgehog or Echidna?
Animals who are the same . . . but different! By Ashleigh Barton & Amandine Thomas Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Hedgehog and Echidna stop in their shuffly tracks when they meet each other in the forest, surprised to meet someone who is so similar to
One Word and a Bird
By Stephen Michael King Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray One Word and a Bird is the newest picture book from celebrated author/illustrator Stephen Michael King. It showcases the power of words, both in the sense of their impact on a page, and
Wombat Dreaming
By Caz Goodwin & Zoë Bennett Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “Each Sunday the animals woke with the sun and came to the creek for some yoga and fun.” Lil, desperately wanted to join in the yoga class, but when you’re a roly-poly wombat
Lulu is a Rhinoceros
Written by Jason Flom with Allison Flom & illustrated by Sophie Corrigan Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Lulu is a rhinoceros – that’s not necessarily what she sees when she looks in the mirror, but it is how she feels. In her heart and
No More Room in the Bed
By Deborah Abela & Marina Verola Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Deborah Abela has won many awards for her work including the KOALA, YABBA, Aurealis and Speech Pathology Awards and the Maurice Saxby Award for service to children’s literature. Marina Verola is the
You Are Not a Pup!
By Annaleise Byrd & Sandra de la Prada Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Annaleise Byrd has written two sparkling portal fantasies for junior middle grade Losing the Plot and Down the Plot Hole and this is her first foray into picture books. Her
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 Taronga 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
