100 School Days
By Deborah Frenkel & Laura Stitzel Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian author Deborah Frenkel has written this story based on her daughter’s experiences in her first year of school. It is a celebratory story that will connect with parents, school children and
The Little Street Library
By Amy Adeney & Erin McClean Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Street libraries have become very popular in Australia and they are a common sight in the major cities. In Australia there is an organisation where you can buy a little library to
Sunday Skating
By Andrea Rowe & by Hannah Sommerville Reviewed by Claire Monsour “When the weekend settles, and Sunday rolls around…”, five friends set off on a Sunday skate. With a click, a clatter, a whoosh, and a whirl, the friends are ready to
Alone
By Scott Stuart Reviewed by Claire Monsour It’s hard being alone, especially in the darkness of space. So, Earth decides to look for a friend; but the other planets aren’t exactly friendly. When something strange comes hurtling towards her, Earth’s hope for
Quokka Finds a Friend
By Katie Stewart Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Katie Stewart is a West Australian author who has written several picture books all featuring iconic Australian animals. They include When I Can Fly, Wombat Can't Sing (both reviewed in StoryLinks), Where Do The Stars
Listen Hippo!
Written and illustrated by Gabriel Evans Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Gabriel Evans is a Western Australian children’s book author and illustrator who works primarily in watercolour and pencil. His books include Blue Flower by Sonya Hartnett, shortlisted for the CBCA Picture Book
Every Night at Midnight
By Peter Cheong Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Peter Cheong grew up on Roald Dahl and having adventures with Calvin and Hobbes. He was heavily influenced by the way Quentin Blake and Bill Watterson brought stories to life. He is the illustrator of
How To Be Invisible (Bunny and Bird, #2)
By Nick Bland Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Nick is a very popular creator of picture books including The Very Cranky Bear series, The Runaway Hug and The Wrong Book. How To Be Invisible is the second in the delightful Bunny and Bird
When Cucumber Lost His Cool
By Michelle Robinson & Tom Knight Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Kevin the cucumber is so cool - everybody knows it! He wears cool sunglasses and struts around singing his own cool song. "I'm super cool Kevin and this is my song! Make
Two Rabbits
By Larissa Ferenchuk and Prue Pittock Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Unusually for a picture book, Two Rabbits comes with a subtitle: Even best friends argue sometimes. It sets itself up quickly as a book for the earlier cohort of picture book
A Friend for Ruby
By Sofie Laguna and Marc McBride Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray A Friend for Ruby is an example of the way the illustrations in a picture book can take a well-written but straightforward narrative and elevate it to marvellous. This is the
Chico the Schnauzer
By Taryn Brumfitt and Levi George Reviewed by Mia Macrossan From Australian of the Year and founder of the Body Image Movement, Taryn Brumfitt, comes this delightful story of Chico the Schnauzer, a dog who learns to embrace all the wonderful things
Angus & Mouse Read A Book
By Jane Godwin & Terri Rose Baynton Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jane Godwin is a writer and publisher who has many titles to her credit. Terri Rose is an artist and author living and working near Taupō in Aotearoa New Zealand. She
Breathe In and Out
By Jan Stradling and Jedda Robaard Reviewed by Margarite Igras This picture book is part of a series called A Mindfully Me Story, inspired by the Play School TV show, written by Jan Stradling a former Executive Producer of the Play School
How To Be A Friend
By Sarah Ayoub & Mimi Purnell Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Ayoub has written the YA novels Hate is Such a Strong Word, The Yearbook Committee and The Cult of Romance as well as collaborating with Purnell in two other picture books, The Love
Ready, Set, Big School
A Play School Mindfully Me book about starting school by Play School, Jan Stradling, illustrated by Jedda Robaard Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is another title in the excellent Mindfully Me series produced by Play School. Previous titles include Beginnings and Endings, reviewed for StoryLinks by
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
Butterfly Girl
By Ashling Kwok Illustrated by Arielle Li Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian author Ashling Kwok likes to create children’s stories that speak to the heart. This picture book is about heart matters – the love of butterflies, loneliness, having to make new friends
Mr Chicken Goes to Mars
By Leigh Hobbs Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Leigh Hobbs is an Australian artist and author. He is best known for the humorous children's books which he has written and illustrated, including the Mr Chicken series, Horrible Harriet and Old Tom series. He
Just Because
By Matthew McConaughey & Renée Kurilla Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Just because I’m in the race, doesn’t mean I’m fully ready. Just because I’m shaking, doesn’t mean that I’m not steady. Using a series of rhyming couplets accompanying compelling vignettes, this new book could be your mindfulness
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
Dragon Post
Written & illustrated by Emma Yarlett Reviewed by Mia Macrossan UK based creator Emma Yarlett is someone to look out for as she writes and illustrates original brightly coloured appealing picture book for children aged 3+ that often have a gentle underlying
Mr Impoppable
By Trent Jamieson and Brent Wilson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Trent is a Brisbane writer of adult speculative fiction and picture books. His first picture book was the hauntingly beautiful The Giant and the Sea. Brent Wilson is a prolific artist whose
Who’s the Gang on Our Street?
By Susanne Gervay and Nancy Bevington Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Who’s the Gang on our Street? is a delightful surprise package from Susanne Gervay, a prolific and respected luminary of the Australian children’s literature scene. The cover design shows a gang
Leaf-light
By Trace Balla Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Trace creates graphic novels and children’s books about connecting with country and community. A self-described ‘story catcher’ she finds inspiration in nature and incorporates local plant and animal species into her detailed, cartoon-style drawings. She
