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
Oh No!
By James Foley Reviewed by Mia Macrossan James Foley is well known for his original and unconventional take on life. His books for children are characterised by a zany humour, challenging ideas and memorable illustration. His CBCA Notable Bigfoot vs Yeti (A
Make Them Say Poo
Written by Stephen & illustrated by Rudi de Wet Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Stephen Minon won the Glendower Award for an Emerging Queensland writer for an adult novel and this is his debut picture book. He has teamed up with Rudi de
Nerds VS Aliens
By Barry Jonsberg Reviewed by Lauren Spencer Originally from Liverpool, England, Barry Jonsberg is an award-winning Australian author of children’s and young adult fiction. One of his most notable works, My Life as an Alphabet (2013), was adapted into the 2020 film,
Dungzilla
Written and illustrated By James Foley This edition colouring by Paulina Gamez Reviewed by Sophia Evans DUNGZILLA is a hilarious, action-packed graphic novel that follows the shenanigans of the world’s foremost inventor under the age of twelve, Sally Tinker. Sally begins the story
Fur Power! (Guinea Wigs, #1)
By Rebecca McRitchie Illustrated by Shiloh Gordon Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Rebecca McRitchie is an editor and writer working in Sydney whose first work was Whimsy and Woe. Together with Shiloh Gordon, the illustrator of the Frog Squad series among other things they have created
Swearwolves
By Steve Worland Reviewed by Sandy Driessens When Luna Wilkinson and her family move to Nightfall Springs, she desperately wants to perform in the school production of “Bite Me: The Musical”. Being a member of the “cool girl” clique is also on
The Hits and Misses of Melody Moss
By Helen Dallimore Reviewed by Jenny Ruge Helen Dallimore is an actress, singer, director and writer. She has written for TV, mostly comedies, but The Hits and Misses of Melody Moss is her first foray into writing fiction for children. It has
Frances Bloom (Frances Bloom, #1)
By Katrina Nannestad Illustrated by Marina Zlatanova Reviewed by Helen Gearing Katrina Nannestad, best known for her much-awarded WWII middle-grade novels, returns to junior fiction in her latest work, Frances Bloom. With comical black-and white illustrations by Marina Zlatanova, who won a 2020
Mega Rich Guinea Pigs
By Kate and Jol Temple Reviewed by Claire Monsour Kate and Jol Temple are experts on the wacky, funny, and heart-felt, and their latest collaboration is no exception. The world’s richest man, Mangus McAloon, just exploded into a million pieces in a rocket
The Adventures of Pongo and Stink
Written by Lisa Nicol Illustrated by Karen Blair Reviewed by Zewlan Moor What adorable pigs! This is honestly a perfect read-aloud for Prep to Year 4. I hope it fills many Christmas stockings this year, and many classrooms in 2026. Pongo and Stink are
Rock Paper Incisors
By Amy Timberlake Illustrated by Jon Klassen Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the third instalment in the adventures of Skunk and Badger, first encountered in Skunk and Badger #1, which was followed by Egg Marks the Spot: Skunk and Badger #2. Amy
Forbidden Journal of Rufus Rumble: Legend of the Fang
By Nick Long Illustrated by Robin Tatlow-Lord. Reviewed by Lauren Spencer When he isn’t searching for lost cities in the Amazon and filming Netflix documentaries, Nick Long is writing his children’s book, Forbidden Journal of Rufus Rumble. Wait! I probably wasn’t supposed to
My Pet Croc
Written by Dani Vee Illustrations by Jules Faber Reviewed by Sophia Evans If you’re after a laugh-out-loud, heartwarming middle-grade story with a splash of chaos and a lot of mischief, My Pet Croc is the perfect choice for you! Felix is asked by his
Spud and Snowball and the Fancy Fish (Spud and Snowball, #1)
Written and illustrated by Judith Rossell Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Judith Rossell has made a name for herself as one of those rare creatures who can both write like a dream and illustrate her writing with quirky charming memorable images. She has
Mullets
By Nick Sharratt Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Welcome to baby’s first non-fiction information picture book about the cultural phenomenon known as the mullet. As depicted in a diagram on pp 4-5, the mullet hairstyle consists of a “short and choppy” front and
Frog, Log and Dave A Brush with Evil
By Trent Jamieson & Brent Wilson Reviewed by Sandhya Parappukkaran When inimitable duo Trent Jamieson and Brent Wilson come together to create books you get memorable characters, maximum hilarity and a feast for the senses where the story seems to move across
Laughter is the Best Ending
By Maryam Master Illustrated by Astred Hicks Reviewed by Jenny Ruge Maryam Master is a screenwriter, playwright and author whose first two novels, Exit Through the Gift Shop and No Words were winners or shortlisted for numerous awards. Her latest, Laughter is the
Finn and the Pen
By David Lawrence Illustrated by P.J. Reece with Cherie Dignam Reviewed by Meg Rowe The Pen is back! When Finn, a music loving, story writing 11-year-old orphan, discovers the pen he finds has strange magical powers, he can’t believe his luck. With the
Shmoof
By Heidi McKinnon Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Heidi has collaborated with many writers to create memorable picture books as well as writing and illustrating her own. She is the master of restrained simple storytelling, combining an economy of style and colour with
A Loo of One’s Own
A Mostly True Tale of Australia’s First Female Parliamentarians Written and Illustrated by Eleri Harris Reviewed by Zewlan Moor What a treat to read this book! A Loo of One’s Own is the debut picture book of award-winning cartoonist, Eleri Harris, whose second book,
The World’s Worst Superheroes
By David Walliams Illustrated by Adam Stower Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Term 3 of the Australian school year is upon us and as usual, in many schools, the focus is Children's Book Week and its theme for this year, Book an Adventure. But
I Don’t Need a Little Brother
By Nat Amoore & Nathaniel Eckstrom Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray I Don’t Need a Little Brother is the debut picture book for Nat Amoore, who is well known for action-packed, humorous middle grade writing - and even better known for super high
Too Many Dogs
By Maura Finn & Lucinda Gifford Reviewed by Sandy Driessens Percy is tired of being one dog all alone in a house FULL OF CATS! He’s leaving for a magical place where he can be free: THE DOG PARK. Percy always gets
No More Room in the Bed
By Deborah Abela & Marina Verola Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Deborah Abela has won many awards for her work including the KOALA, YABBA, Aurealis and Speech Pathology Awards and the Maurice Saxby Award for service to children’s literature. Marina Verola is the
Don’t Trust Fish
By Neil Sharpson & Dan Santat Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is Neil Sharpson debut picture book. He has written adult novels and writes Unshaved Mouse, a comedic review blog mostly focusing on animated film and comic book movies. His team mate Dan
Aggie Flea is NOT a Liar!
Written by Tania Ingram Illustrated by A. Yi Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd South Australian author Tania Ingram has published various picture books, junior fiction stories and the middle grade novel The Other Shadow since making her debut in 2013. Before becoming a full-time
Bling Jollygood (The Fairly Secret Files)
By Nick Bland Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Nick Bland is one of Australia's most popular and prolific creators, responsible for The Very Cranky Bear series, and the hilarious Bunny and Bird series which include How to Hatch a Dragon, How to be
The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science
Written by Kate McKinnon and illustrated by Alfredo Cáceres Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “I must write a book about Mad Science for the young, because it is the young who will save us, and indeed must save themselves. - Dr G. Edwina
