Oceanforged Book 3: The Sinking Ruins
By Amelia Mellor Affirm Kids 2026 Reviewed by Helen Gearing Multi award-winning children’s author Amelia Mellor (best known for her ‘Grandest Bookshop in the World’ series) delivers another high-action, immersive story in the third installment of Oceanforged. With echoes of George Orwell’s ‘1984’,
The Witches of Winderry Spires
By Karen Foxlee A & U Children 2026 Reviewed by Mia Macrossan I always drop everything when a new Karen Foxlee book lands on the review pile. She never disappoints, always writing something fresh and new. Yes, this fantasy contains dragons and witches
The White Ravens: A Selection of International Children’s and Youth Literature
Congratulations to the creators of the four Australian titles selected for inclusion in the prestigious 2026 White Ravens catalogue, featuring brief annotations of more than 200 notable new children’s and young adult books from about 50 countries and regions and
How to Get Rid of a Princess*
By Alison McLennan & Mel Pearce Hardie Grant Children's Publishing 2026 Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Alison McLennan is an Australian professional voiceover artist and actor as well as a writer of children's books which include Birdie Lights up the World, Great and Small and
Meet the Author: Maryam Master
Lightness and humour are what keep me going. In life and in my writing Dimity Powell talks to Maryam Masters about writing, books, and her latest novel My Tiny Universe. Why do you write for children? They’re the most important people in
Meena’s Moving Day
By Brenton Cullen & Jennifer Horn Rhiza Press 2026 Reviewed by Sandhya Parappukkaran Brenton Cullen is a Queensland children’s author, children’s literature enthusiast and a bookseller. His debut middle grade novel, The Prime Minister Problem, was shortlisted in the 2026 Speech Pathology Book of
Meet the author of The Lost Island: Samantha Wheeler
By Mia Macrossan Samantha Wheeler talks in depth about her latest book The Lost Island, a book that provides plenty of 'brain food' for its readers. Animals and the outdoors are my safe space, my brain food – there’s so much to see
Meet the Author: Suzy Zail
By Alison McCaffrey Suzy Zail talks in depth about writing her latest book A New Kind of Beautiful Suzy Zail is an award-winning Australian author, whose latest release, A New Kind of Beautiful, explores the sudden change in a teenager’s life
Meet the Artist & Author Simon Howe
Simon Howe is the author and illustrator of Going Home, The House That Walked Away, and Shoosh!. He has also illustrated many titles for other writers. Now he has branched out into junior reader territory with Betsy & Bon, a
StoryLinks reviews the 2026 CBCA Older Reader Shortlist
By Alison McCaffrey who has reviewed all six titles in the Older Reader category of the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year. The pinnacle for many Australian children’s authors is to be awarded one of the lauded prizes reserved for works
One Knight Stand: Lady’s Knight 2 & Interview with Amie Kaufman
By Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner A & U Children 2026 Reviewed by Lucille Rose One Knight Stand is the only dragon-fighting, sword-wielding, knight in shining armour series you will ever need. Set in a medieval fantasy kingdom, fierce noblewoman Isobelle and recently
Jackie French wins the 2026 Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction
Congratulations to Jackie French whose book The Mushroom in the Sky, published by Harper Collins, has won this year’s Book Links Award for Children’s Historical Fiction. The judges were unanimous in their decision commenting on the 'honesty and bravery of the subject', the
Meet the Author: Jackie French
by Mia Macrossan Jackie French AM is an Australian author, historian, ecologist and honourary wombat (part time); 2014–15 Australian Children' Laureate; and 2015 Senior Australian of the Year. Instead of hobbies she has written over 200 books which have sold millions of
Pterosaurs of the the Desert Ocean
By Andrew Plant CSIRO Publishing 2026 Teacher Notes Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Andrew Plant trained as a zoologist, but has been an illustrator and author for over 30 years. In this meticulously researched work he reveals a magical world of Australian dinosaurs living 100
Tiki and Jill and the Great Australian Camel Race
Written by Kate Simpson & Jill Colwell Illustrated by Craig Smith A & U Children 2026 Teaching resources Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is a splendid real life story beautifully told by two award-winning creators and illustrated by Craig Smith of The Wobbly Bike fame.
The Photographer
By Mark Rafidi & Paul O'Sullivan Hawkeye Publishing 2026 Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Mark Rafidi comes from mixed heritage and his stories explore identity, belonging, and the intricacies of Australian society. Paul O'Sullivan is the illustrator for Gary Crew's picture books, The Visions
Last Bat of the Night
By David Gullan & Samantha Metcalfe CSIRO Publishing 2026 Reviewed by Mia Macrossan David Gullan is a primary school teacher, whose love of Australian wildlife has found expression in writing picture books including Life in a Hollow and Last Bat of the Night. Samantha
The Cat Wants Custard
By P Crumble & Lucinda Gifford Larrikin House 2026 Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Kevin the Cat has a hankering for custard. He really, really wants it, and turns his nose up at all sorts of other treats, including sardines and pigs’ ears. But
This is Where We Say Goodbye
By Howard McKenzie-Murray Fremantle Press 2026 Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Ditching her roommate to hang out in the laundromat (without any clothes to wash, mind you) isn’t how Maud had planned to spend her twenty-first birthday. But she finds herself searching for a
This Stays Between Us
By Margot McGovern Penguin 2026 Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey This Stays Between Us is a creepy horror throwback to the 90s and 00s era that does not disappoint. The second novel from multi-award winning South Australian author Margot McGovern, this book has been
Meet the Author: Suzanne Leal
By Mia Macrossan Suzanne Leal is the author of novels The Watchful Wife, The Teacher’s Secret and The Deceptions, winner of the Nib People’s Choice Prize. Her novel for middle-grade readers, Running with Ivan, is on the Children’s Book Council of Australia Notables List for Younger Readers and
Starfish Can’t Ride Bikes
By Jess Horn & Mo Davey Larrikin House, September 2026 Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Jess Horn is a neurodivergent author and former speech pathologist whose picture books focus on diverse ways of seeing the world. Her latest is also part of
Ben’s Library
By Amani Uduman & Joanna Bartel New Frontier Publishing, 2026 Teacher Notes Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Ben’s Library is a sweet celebration of books, libraries, and the reading communities created when a favourite pastime is shared. This is Uduman’s third traditional picture book,
The Boy Who Lost His Laugh
By Dimity Powell & Heidi Cooper Smith EK Books 2026 Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Dimity Powell and EK Books have a track record of creating evocative, multi-layered picture books on tricky topics. The publishing house’s motto is “Books with Heart on Issues that
Once Upon Tomorrow
By Karen Comer Lothian Children's Books 2026 Reviewed by Dimity Powell Verse novels possess a certain magic that levels up emotion and crystalises conception. Award-winning Aussie author, Karen Comer's Once Upon Tomorrow is just such a lyrical foray into the past, the questionable future and
Cleopatra: The Girl Who Would Be King (Heroes in the Ancient World, #1)
By Jackie French HarperCollins Classroom resource Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Our national treasure Jackie French styles herself as 'author, ecologist, historian, dyslexic and honorary wombat'. She must be one of the most prolific writers on the planet creating stories for children and adults notable
The Embarrassing Confessions of Gracie Sparks
By Fiona Harris Affirm Press Reviewed by Lauren Spencer Fiona Harris is an author, scriptwriter, and actor who has worked in publishing, television, and theatre. She has published many books for children, including Sleepover BFFs and The Rebound, and is the co-author of
The Witch Who Couldn’t Spell
Written by Jess Galatola & illustrated by Lu Baker Larrikin House 2026 Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “Wanda Spelled is a little witch with a BIG problem. At Spell Bright Academy, her magic is marvellous … until her spelling slips.” Each day of the week,
Golden*
*A StoryLinks starred review indicating a book of exceptional literary merit. By Jade Timms Text Publishing 2025 Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Every now and then, I finish the last page of a book and I’m compelled to immediately start again. Golden was one of
Of Flame and Fury
By Mikayla Bridge Macmillan Australia 2026 Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Even in a world where humans move into the lands of powerful magical creatures, we will find a way to stamp out their presence for our own benefit. Of Flame and Fury is the
