There’s a Chicken in the House
By Sonya Hartnett & Lucia Masciullo Puffin 2026 Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Australian author Sonya Hartnett is a well-known Australian writer of fiction for children, YA, and adults. She has won many awards in Australia and in 2008 she won the prestigious Astrid
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 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
Cats and Us
A ten-thousand-year fascination By Marta Pantaleo Translated by Debbie Bibo & Yvette Ghione Reviewed by Mia Macrossan What a marvellous book for all cat lovers big and small! Marta Pantaleo, an Italian graphic designer and illustrator, has created a fun fact-filled picture book to delight
Turbo Turtle
By Greg Dreise Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Greg is a descendant of the Goomelroi/Kamilaroi and Euahlayi people of SW Queensland and NW New South Wales. He is the author of many stories and tales inspired by his Indigenous culture, including Circles of
Dogs with Jobs
By Max Hamilton Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Max Hamilton is an award winning illustrator of The Beehive, Cockatoo, Neeka and the Missing Key (Wilder Zoo, #1) and more. Here she has written and illustrated a great introduction to the world of the working
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 Truck Cat
By Deborah Frenkel & Danny Snell Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is a bit of a dream team of writer and illustrator: Deborah Frenkel has written quite a few picture books including the charming Naturopolis, illustrated by Ingrid Bartkowiak, reviewed in StoryLinks,
Alfie the Kind
By Richard Harris & Simon Howe Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Alfie first appeared in Alfie the Brave, also reviewed in StoryLinks. Richard Harris is an Australian anaesthetist and cave diver who played a crucial role in the Tham Luang cave rescue who wrote Against
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
