The Space We’re In
by Katya Balen illustrated by Laura Carlin reviewed by Sarah Custance ‘The Space We’re In’ is UK author Katya Balen’s debut novel and if this book is anything to go by then she is an author to look out for in the future. Katya
When We Were Warriors
by Emma Carroll reviewed by Sarah Custance If you want a well written middle-grade historical fiction then Emma Carroll has proven herself to be the perfect choice. ‘When We Were Warriors’ is Carroll’s ninth novel and is living up to its predecessor’s
52 Mondays
by Anna Ciddor reviewed by Zewlan Moor Longing for Milly-Molly-Mandy for older readers? This is the book for you! Inspired by the author’s childhood 52 Mondays is a collection of short gentle vignettes with a narrative arc, tracing young Anna Lewison’s quest for
The Little Grey Girl (The Wild Magic Trilogy, Book Two)
by Celine Kiernan reviewed by Sarah Custance Celine Kiernan is an Irish author famous for her work The Moorehawke Trilogy. The Wild Magic Trilogy is her first time writing for a middle-grade audience. A quote on the cover describes Kiernan as Ireland’s
Tricky’s Bad Day
by Alison Lester reviewed by Claire Monsour Poor Tricky is having a bad day. It all starts when he wakes early and tries to get himself some milk; but a spill and a slip wake the whole family! From then on, nothing seems
Three Puffin Nibbles: Scruffy’s Day Out, The Littlest Pirate and Fairy Bread reviewed by our young reviewer, Felix Freeman (Grade 2)
Reviewed by Felix Freeman and Yvonne Mes It is wonderful to see these books published again! Puffin Nibbles are short simple stories by some of our most trusted authors and illustrators. The stories range from the fantastical to the everyday, but
Dream Riders : Frankie
by Laura Bloom and Jesse Blackadder Reviewed by Sarah Custance Laura Bloom and Jesse Blackadder are two award-winning writers who live in country Australia. In their new collaborative series ‘Dream Riders’ they have let their passion for country life and horses shine
Max’s Dinosaur Feet
by Lana Spasevski illustrated by Penelope Pratley Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zabri Max has a great idea. He pulls on a pair of dinosaur slippers and begins to charge around the living room. The stomping and smashing is bound to wake his baby
The Bogan Mondrian
by Steven Herrick reviewed by Dajo Finlayson From the very outset this book had me captivated. The vibrantly coloured front and back covers caught my attention as I’ve always been a fan of the Dutch artist Piet Mondrian’s work. His wonderfully abstract,
It Sounded Better In My Head
by Nina Kenwood reviewed by Mia Macrossan This delightful debut novel deservedly won the 2018 Text Prize for fiction. It is the affecting story of Natalie and her friends in that limbo of time between finishing year 12 and starting university. Natalie
A Quiet Girl
by Peter Carnavas reviewed by Yvonne Mes Mary’s quiet conversations and ponderings are drowned out by the noise of tools, technology and toys used by her busy mother, brother and father. Mary is mostly content to be by herself surrounded by the
Ozzie Goes To School
Written by Jocelyn Crabb Illustrated by Danny Snell Reviewed by Kerry Neary Experts say that children should be made school-ready to lessen the anxiety of starting at school. This probably takes all their preschool lives, not just a few weeks beforehand or one
It’s Not Scribble To Me*
Written by Kate Ritchie Illustrated by Jedda Robaard Reviewed by Kerry Neary Written in vibrant, bouncing verse, the story follows a little bear who has just entered the crayon phase of its life. Most likely, it has been inspired as a mother watches
Emily Green’s Garden
Written by Penny Harrison Illustrated by Megan Forward Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zabri Emily Green’s Garden is a picture book celebrating the love of plants. Author Penny Harrison and illustrator Megan Forward are aficionados of the gardening world, having cut their teeth on
The House on the Mountain
Written by Ella Holcombe Illustrated by David Cox Reviewed by Kerry Neary Australia suffers a lot from natural disasters; some are happening right now. A new release adds to the list of picture books about these disasters. The house on the mountain, ,
The Mirror Visitor #1 A Winter’s Promise
Written by Christelle Dabos Translated by Hildegarde Serle Reviewed by Sue Wright I’ve been reading a lot of novellas and short stories lately, so I approached Christelle Dabos’ 490 page A Winter’s Promise with all the enthusiasm of a reader with a preference
Malaysian Picture Books – a snapshot
Malaysian Picture Books by Inda Ahmad Zabri Growing up, I read books in my native tongue, Malay or Bahasa Melayu, as well as English. Eventually, it was English literature that I fell in love with, but my search for Malay
The Adventures of Jellybean
Written by Bill Condon and Dianne Bates Illustrated by Lucia Masciullo Reviewed by Rebecca Sheraton Co-authors Bill Condon and Dianne Bates have written a delightful early chapter book for ages 6 and above, published by the University of Queensland Press. Eight-year-old best friends, Rory
Unpacking Harper Holt
Written by Di Walker Reviewed by Margie McKay-Lowndes In this emotive coming of age story, set in a picturesque beach-side suburb of Melbourne, Di Walker’s debut novel presents a story of hope in the face of unimaginable grief and loss. The Holts - Mum,
Marvin and Marigold: A Stormy Night
Written by Mark Carthew Illustrated by Simon Prescott Reviewed by Yvonne Mes If you have young children, you know what a panic it can cause if there is a sudden loss of power and everyone is left in the dark! Marigold is scared, it
Amal Unbound
by Aisha Saeed reviewed by Lucy McGinley This moving story centres on a brave young Indian girl who dreams of becoming a teacher. One day her bravery brings her to the attention of the corrupt local landlord. In the simple act of
Lenny’s Book of Everything
by Karen Foxlee reviewed by Mia Macrossan Karen Foxlee says that story writing is about creating a world, breathing characters to life and enticing readers on a journey’. In LENNY’S BOOK OF EVERYTHING, her new book for younger readers she has succeeded
The Mulberry Tree
by Allison Rushby reviewed by Rebecca Sheraton This fantastic middle grade novel will appeal to many 8 - 12 year old readers. A mulberry tree haunts a tiny English village in Cambridgeshire where locals believe the tree has stolen two eleven- year -old
Leave Taking
by Lorraine Marwood illustrated by Peter Carnavas reviewed by Danielle Freeland Lorraine Marwood has delivered something very special in this verse novel. When Toby’s parents decide to pack up and leave their family’s farm to start again after the death of their only daughter,
Sonam and the Silence
Written by Eddie Ayres Illustrated by Ronak Taher Reviewed by Inda Ahmad Zabri Sonam and the Silence is not an easy or carefree children’s book. It has not come from a place of lightness, but it does bring with it an important message of
Is It The Way You Giggle?
Written by Nicola Connelly Illustrated by Annie White Reviewed by Luise Manning Soft water colours make this 32-page picture book an adorable read. The end papers made me think of a birthday party but as the story unfolds it implies that we
My Sister
written and illustrated by Joanna Young reviewed by Sandy Driessens This beautifully illustrated picture book draws you into a gentle world of sisterly affection from the moment you touch the textured cover. Little red hearts on the cover and end papers prepare
Looking Up
By Sally Murphy Illustrated by Aśka Superska Reviewed by Lyn Halliday As an author of over 40 children’s books, Sally Murphy demonstrates just why she is so successful in this heart-warming story about a boy’s quest to understand and heal a broken relationship. At
All of Us Together
by Bill Condon illustrated by Dale Newman reviewed by Lyn Halliday If you fancy a visit to 1930s Australia, Bill Condon’s junior fiction novel All of Us Together is sure to transport you there instantly.Imagine facing the prospect of having to kill
Diary of a Wimpy Kid #12 The Getaway
by Jeff Kinney Penguin 2017 224 pages paperback $14.99 ISBN 9780143782797 Reviewed by Lucy McGinley Since there are already twelve books in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series it is established that Jeff Kinney has found his market. The handwritten font, bold
