A Friend for George
By Gabriel Evans Reviewed by Margarite Igras Award-winning creator Gabriel Evans, who has also illustrated works for Sonya Hartnett and Jane Goodwin has written a heart-warming and insightful book about the meaning of friendship and what it means to be a good
JJ and the Giant Panther: Smarty Pup 2
By Anh Do Illustrated by Anton Emdin Allen & Unwin Children's 2023 "'Okay, okay!' said Mr Hosking. 'Fine, JJ can come on school camp. But he has to be on his absolute best behaviour!'. 'Deal!' promised JJ. JJ the genius pup has Lily
Spaceboy
By David Walliams and illustrated by Adam Stower Reviewed by Sarah Custance David Walliams is the much acclaimed UK author of over 30 picture books and novels, including The Boy in the Dress, Gangsta Granny, Fing, and The World’s Worst Children series.
Willa and Woof 3: Grandparents for Hire
By Jacqueline Harvey Reviewed by Liane McDermott Australia’s much loved and honoured children’s author, Jacqueline Harvey, of the popular Alice-Miranda, Clementine Rose, and Kensy and Max series, produces another endearing junior fiction series—Willa and Woof. Mimi is Missing and Birthday Business are
Willa and Woof 2: Birthday Business
By Jacqueline Harvey Reviewed by Charlotte Barkla Jacqueline Harvey is a household name in the Australian kidlit landscape. From the perpetually positive Alice-Miranda to junior spies, Kensy and Max, you’d be hard-pressed to find a kids’ bookshelf without one of Jacqueline’s titles.
Friends Fur-ever: Smarty Pup 1
By Anh Do Illustrated by Anton Emdin Reviewed by Eva B, aged 8 One of the best books I have ever read! Lily's new pup JJ is kind of clumsy, but something about his smiley face makes her really happy inside. So you
Runt
By Craig Silvey Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Craig Silvey is an author and screenwriter from Fremantle, Western Australia. His award winning and best selling titles include Jasper Jones and Honeybee, both aimed at an older audience than readers of Runt. This is a
Finding You
By Robert Vescio Illustrated by Hannah Sommerville Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Robert has written more than 20 books for young children. He calls himself 'a storyteller because I love to spin a good yarn!' His writing is characterised by a sensitive understanding of
Zadie Ma and the Dog who Chased the Moon
By Gabrielle Wang Reviewed by Sarah Custance Gabrielle Wang is an Australian author who has written over 20 books for middle-grade audiences. She is the current Australian Children’s Laureate (2022 – 2023) and Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon
Scram! (Clarice Bean)
The True Story of How We Got Our Dog Written and illustrated by Lauren Child Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Who doesn't love Clarice Bean? Lauren Child started writing this hugely successful series way back in 1999. The first was the picture book Clarice
The Way of Dog
By Zana Fraillon Illustrated by Sean Buckingham Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Verse novels are becoming increasingly popular and more and more are being published. Their way of telling narrative is intense and focused, using poetic techniques such as metaphor, simile, repetition, imagery and
Alfie the Brave
By Richard Harris Illustrated by Simon Howe Reviewed by Sarah Custance Some may know Dr Richard ‘Harry’ Harris, not for writing children’s books, but for his work as a member of the international cave-diving team that rescued a young soccer team from rising
Dogs in Disguise
By Peter Bently and John Bond Reviewed by Sarah Custance Perfectly paired in this wonderfully outrageous rhyming picture book, Dogs in Disguise, is author Peter Bently and illustrator John Bond. The book can be neatly described in its opening lines of: “Dogs
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
Who Fed Zed
By Amelia McInerney Illustrated by Adam Nickel Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Amelia McInerney is a humorous picture book author. Her titles include The Book Chook illustrated by Connah Brecon, My Bird, Bertie, illustrated by Shane McG and Bad Crab, illustrated by Philip Bunting. Adam Nickel's illustration style
Where Are You, Magoo?
Written and illustrated by Briony Stewart Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Magoo is back.! You may remember We Love You Magoo by Briony Stewart reviewed here and shortlisted for the Children's Book of the Year Award: Early Childhood. Briony both creates and illustrates
Frankie Goes to Kindergarten
By Peta Baxter and Connie Hemmens Illustrated by Marjory Gardner Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Frankie is actually a real and much-loved kindy dog in a real kindergarten here in Queensland. In the book we see a typical day in the life of Frankie,
Boo Loves Books
By Kaye Baillie Illustrated by Tracie Grimwood Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This uplifting story illustrates how an anxious child's friendship with a rescue dog can help both of them. Phoebe is shy and nervous about her reading because she is not
At the Dog Park
By Moira Court Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This picture book will appeal to very young children, those aged about two plus It is very simple and very clever using dogs at the dog park in all their splendid variety to illustrate opposites
Pawcasso
By Remy Lai Reviewed by Sarah Custance Remy Lai is the Brisbane based author of the critically acclaimed books Pie in the Sky and Fly on the Wall. Pawcasso is her first full length graphic novel. Jo is looking at a long and
The Dog Who Saved the World
By Ross Welford Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Leonard Cavallaro Ross Welford is the English television producer turned children's author of the popular Time Travelling with a Hamster ‘The 1000-year- Old Boy’ and many more. The Dog who saved the World is an inspirational and
A Case of Grave Danger #1 The Violet Veil Mysteries
By Sophie Cleverly Illustrated by Hannah Peck Reviewed by Sarah Custance Sophie Cleverly is the UK author of the Scarlet and Ivy series which has now been published in six different languages. A Case of Grave Danger is the first book in her
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
We Love You, Magoo
written and illustrated by Briony Stewart reviewed by Mia Macrossan Magoo is puppy, a red setter by the look of the illustrations and he has a mind and will of his own. He is interested in everything around him and wants to try
Wolf Girl 3: The Secret Cave
by Anh Do illustrated by Lachlan Creagh reviewed by Sarah Custance If you have children or work with children in any way, then I have no doubt you now no longer think of Anh Do as a T.V. personality or comedian but rather
Joey and Riley
by Mandy Foot reviewed by Mia Macrossan Mandy Foot has been illustrating other people's stories for many years but this is one she has written and illustrated herself. It is about a working dog who is also a beloved companion. Pet seems
Boo Loves Books
by Kaye Baillie and Tracie Grimwood reviewed by Sarah Custance ‘Boo Loves Books’ is a must-have on the shelf of any dog lover, especially those that have rescue pets. Kaye Baillie is still a relatively new name in picture books but teamed
Evie and Pog: Party Perfect!
by Tania McCartney reviewed by Sarah Custance Tania McCartney is a children’s book writer, illustrator, and editor. She is the founder of ‘Kids’ Book Review’ and the ‘Happy Book’ podcast. Tina has written and/or illustrated dozens of picture books and children’s information
Arthur and the What-Ifs
by Heath McKenzie reviewed by Mia Macrossan Arthur is a dog with a secret desire to play his violin. He has composed a tune but he is too scared to play it in public in case people hear it and laugh at
