Frog Squad #3 Sink or Swim
By Kate and Jol Temple Illustrated by Shiloh Gordon Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This excellent series continues to delight and engage emerging and reluctant readers in the adventures of a team of elite rescue frogs who we first met in Frog Squad 1
Wait a Minute!
By Shelly Unwin & Lana Azore Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “Time to go! Wait a minute! I’ve got to tie my sh … sheep together.” Ah, the morning rush for parent and child to leave home and be on our way, to our
Pugnacious and Scuttlebutt: Mall Madness!!! (Book 3)
By Adam Wallace & Wayne Bryant Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Adam Wallace says he aims to entertain kids and inspire them with a love of reading. His numerous books include Numbskull and Nincompoop: Science Fair Shenanigans, and the 18,000 Holes in the
Meerkat Mayhem
By Mem Fox and Judy Horacek Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Meerkat Mayhem is the latest from longtime collaborators Mem Fox and Judy Horacek. It is in the tradition of ‘chain tales’, like The Gigantic Turnip, which has appeared in myriad
Jerry’s Window
By Y K Willemse Reviewed by Heidi Gray Jerry’s Window is Yvette’s most recent dive into middle grade fiction after her young adult epic fantasy fiction series The Fledgling Account. Jerry’s Window is a hilarious page turner depicting all the imaginative and
Shower Land 1: Break the Curse
By Nat Amoore. Illustrated by James Hart. Reviewed by Helen Gearing Since somersaulting onto the kidlit scene in 2019 with her award-winning middle-grade novel, Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire, Nat Amoore has become one of Australia’s most beloved children’s authors. With her
Every Exquisite Thing
By Laura Steven Reviewed by Lucille Rose Reading Every Exquisite Thing by Laura Steven is like taking a shot of espresso—deliciously dark and so strong that it takes over your senses. This book centres on Penny Paxton, the daughter of A-list celebrity Peggy
Game On! 2: Glitched
Written and illustrated by Emily Snape Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Emily Snape is a London-based author and illustrator whose many previous titles include the Motor Mix series, The Little Monster’s Guide to Positivity and Fergus the Furball. Glitched is the second book in
Shockingly Good Stories
By R. A. Spratt Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd A. Spratt is the NSW-based author of the hilarious middle grade series Nanny Piggins, Friday Barnes and The Peski Kids. She also launched a popular podcast, ‘Bedtime Stories with R. A. Spratt’, in early
Mary & Marcus: The Crazy Dance & Other Stories
By Ursula Dubosarsky and Andrew Joyner Reviewed by Sarah Custance Award winning Australian author Ursula Dubosarsky has written over 60 books to much critical acclaim and was the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2020-2021. For Mary & Marcus, Ursula has teamed up, for
The Book That Did Not Want To Be Read
Written by David Sundin Illustrated by Alexis Holmqvist Translated by B.J. Woodstein Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Ah, what a beautiful fabric bound, gold embossed fairy tale story this appears to be. But no! … it’s The Book that Did Not Want to be Read. The
Nelson 3 : Eggplants and Dinosaurs
By Andrew Levins Illustrated by Katie Kear Reviewed by Sarah Custance Andrew Levins is an Australian DJ, podcaster, restaurant owner, as well as the author of the Nelson series. Eggplants and Dinosaurs is the third book in the Nelson series following Pumpkins and
The King’s Birthday Suit
A tribute to Hans Christian Andersen’s tale of The Emperor’s New Clothes By Peter Bently Illustrated by Claire Powell Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson ‘King Albert-Horatio-Otto the Third had SO many clothes it was simply absurd …’ When two unscrupulous so- called tailors promise to make
The Right Way to Rock
By Nat Amoore Reviewed by Melissa Salisbury Nat Amoore returns with her third middle grade book set in the ordinary town of Watterson with the not-so-ordinary children of Watterson Primary School. In The Right Way to Rock we meet Mac Fleetwood Cooper, who
Funny Kid Prank Aliens (Funny Kid, #9)
By Matt Stanton Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Prolific Australian author-illustrator Matt Stanton returns with the ninth book in his popular 'Funny Kid' series. Young readers will enjoy the main character's pranks, rants and overblown-confidence-followed-by-public-humiliation routine that are a staple of this series. When
Code Name Bananas
By David Walliams Illustrated by Tony Ross Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Leonard Cavallaro David Walliam’s latest children’s book, Code Name Bananas is a heart-warming tale of overcoming grief, parental death, living in war and animal kindness. David Walliam’s history as an actor, writer
The Wizard in My Shed: The Misadventures of Merdyn the Wild
By Simon Farnaby Illustrated by Claire Powell Reviewed by Leonard C. This is Simon Farnaby’s first children’s book. He has written and starred in various family TV shows and films including Horrible Histories, Paddington and Paddington 2. Rose lives with her mother and brother
Marshmallow Pie the Cat Superstar
by Clara Vulliamy reviewed by Mia Macrossan Any cat lover will adore this story about Marshmallow Pie, a big fluffy independent cat who is now living in a small flat with his new human, a young girl called Amelia Lime. Pie is a
Nit Boy
by Tristan Bancks and Heath McKenzie reviewed by Barbara Braxton Lewis Snow has the worst case of nits in world history. Everyone wants him to shave his head. But Lewis thinks of his nits as pets. He’s determined to keep his hair and
100% Wolf
by Jayne Lyons reviewed by Mia Macrossan One of the few reads that succeeds in being laugh out loud funny, 100 % WOLF by Jayne Lyons is the story of Freddy Lupin, from a noble family of werewolves. He is looking forward to
The Power of Positive Pranking
by Nat Amoore reviewed by Sarah Custance Here is an incredibly funny, thought provoking, heart-tugging book that makes you feel anyone and everyone can make a difference. Nat Amoore is the author of ‘Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire’ and though ‘The Power of
Mr Archimedes’ Bath
by Pamela Allen reviewed by Mia Macrossan A very old and popular favourite is celebrating 40 years in print! I am sure that many of you will recognize it and remember it fondly. Mr Archimedes’ Bath by Pamela Allen was first published in
My Dad is a Dragon
written by Damon Young Illustrated by Peter Carnavas reviewed by Maria Parenti-Baldey This is the latest in a collaboration which has resulted in six titles each featuring a special member of the family, Nanna, Pop, Mum, Sister and Brother have all had their
