The Very Fine Clock
By Muriel Spark and Edward Gorey Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray The Very Fine Clock is a new edition of a whimsical fable first published in 1968. It’s written by Scottish novelist and poet Muriel Spark, best known for The Prime of
To Activate Space Portal Lift Here
Be the First to meet Alien Life-Forms By Antoinette Portis Reviewed by Mia Macrossan I always knew that books were portals to another universe and here is proof. On opening, Portis, the creator of the acclaimed This is Not a Box, presents us with
The Drover’s Son
By Leah Purcell & Dub Leffler Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian actor, director, playwright and novelist, Leah Purcell is well known for her many skills. She wrote and performed in an adaptation of Henry Lawson’s famous short story, The Drovers Wife and
The Fast Lane
By Pip Harry & Katrin Dreiling Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Katrin Dreiling’s delightful illustration style often puts quirky animal characters front and centre. The cover says it all in the case of The Fast Lane, which pits Daisy the pig, a
Bear’s Perfect Dance
Written and illustrated by Rachel Tilda Wolf Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Rachel Tilda Wolf is an English children’s book artist, illustrator and writer. Her debut picture book Wolf in the City was published last year. Bear loves to dance. In our first glimpse
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
The Butterfly House
Written and illustrated by Harry Woodgate Reviewed by Margarite Igras Harry Woodgate (they/them) is an award-winning LGBTQ+ author and illustrator, whose debut picture book Grandad’s Camper followed by Grandad’s Pride, broaches the subject of diverse relationships for the younger readers. Little Milly
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
How to go to Big School
By Sarah Ayoub & Mimi Purnell Reviewed by Mia Macrossan When it's time to learn new things and grow is when you go to Big School is the beginning of this charming, warm-hearted picture book aimed at all those newbies going to
How to Have the Best School Year Ever
By Jess Sanders & Andrea Onishi Reviewed by Margarite Igras Jess Sanders is a social worker, educator and award-winning Australian author. She is well known for her Life Lessons For Little Ones Series, with titles such as You Can Do Hard Things,
Otto’s INK-redible First Day of School
By Rory H. Mather Illustrations by Rebel Challenger Reviewed by Sophia Evans Otto the Octopus just wants to fit in, but he tends to overthINK. And when he does, he releases lots of…INK! Otto the Octopus is starting school tomorrow and he’s shy.
A Barney Gumnut Christmas (Barney Gumnut, #2)
By Tamsin Ainslie Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is a beautiful Christmas book that shows the true Christmas spirit of giving, sharing, and celebrating our blessings. Tamsin Ainslie has illustrated for ABC Books, Scholastic and UQP. Her books include In My Garden
You’re Too Little
Written & illustrated by Katie Stewart Reviewed by Sandy Driessens One evening, young Western Pygmy Possum sat in a stump gazing up into the tree far, far above her head, trying to work out the best way to climb up to taste
No one is Home
By Mikolaj Pa and Gosia Herba, with Scotia Gilroy (translator) Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Mikolaj Pa is a Polish author and artist who has collaborated several times with illustrator Gosia Herba in a style that some liken to a ‘modern Richard
Wish in a Tree
By Lynda Mullaly Hunt & Nancy Carpenter Reviewed by Mia Macrossan In 2015 Lynda wrote Fish in a Tree, a middle grade novel about how even if you struggle in school, you can still be quite smart and that intelligence is measured
The Giant
By Sophie Masson & Lorena Carrington Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray The Giant is a new release from Sophie Masson and Lorena Carrington, who previously collaborated on the exquisite Satin (2023). Both creators have a deep knowledge of fairy stories and folk
Surprise Shark
By Sarah Lane & Patrick Corrigan Reviewed by Mia Macrossan ' It was a beautiful day in Blue Bottle Bay when the fish all gather together to play.' Here's a story about a friendly shark who has no idea that maybe he frightens
Where Shall We Travel Today?
By Kristin Martin & Nicky Johnston Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray With the competing pressures of busy lives and a crowded school curriculum, some commentators are saying it has never been more important to foster the soft skills associated with literacy in
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
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
The World We Can Build
By Eliza Hull & Sally Rippin, & Daniel Gray-Barnett Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray The World We Can Build comes to us from the team behind award-winning title Come Over To My House (2022), and continues that book’s plea for a more
The Big Backyard Plan
By Kirsten Ealand & Laura Stitzel Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is Kirsten's second picture book after her charming debut Like a Gannet. She says: When I write, I often start with an emotion and go from there and my books often
Ladybirds Do Not Go To Daycare
By Ali Rutstein & Niña Nill Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Ali Rutstein is also the author of A Beginner's Guide to Choosing the Perfect Pet and Kittens Do Not Care For Baths (again with NiñaNill). Her work is characterised by a gentle
The Backyard Games
By Alister Nicholson and Tom Jellett Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian sports broadcaster Alister Nicholson has covered Summer and Winter Olympics, the Commonwealth Games, AFL Grand Finals and Test cricket. This wealth of knowledge and love of sport was incorporated in his
Boss of Your Own Mind
By Byll Stephen Beth Stephen Teeny Tiny Stevies Illustrated by Simon Howe Reviewed by Margarite Igras This is a fun and insightful picture book written by the writers behind the ABC TV Teeny Tiny Stevies, aimed at 3- to 6-year-olds. The pages are filled with Simon
Cubby Hunting
By Coral Vass & Nicky Johnston Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Coral has written many picture books including Walking Together, The Kelly Gang Kids and the Amanda Commander series. Nicky has illustrated many picture books, collaborating with a number of writers to produce
House
By Dan Giovannoni & Charlotte Lane Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray ‘Sometimes it feels like all you need is a little shelter from the storm…’ This is the story of a lonely little house who has no one to open its front
Tilly in a Tangle
By Magrete Lamond & Monty Lee Reviewed by Sandhya Parappukkaran Magrete Lamond is a multi-award-winning author and children’s book publisher. Lamond’s picture book, Paper-flower Girl, was shortlisted in the 2024 Children’s Book Council of Australia awards and was awarded Honour Book in
Ethel the Penguin
By Ursula Dubosarsky Illustrated by Christopher Nielsen Reviewed by Meg Rowe You are in safe hands with acclaimed Australian author Ursula Dubosarsky - with over sixty books published for children and young adults, including best-sellers, The Terrible Plop, Brindabella and Too Many
