The Wish Sisters: The Running Wish; The Pet Wish
By Allison Rushby Illustrated by Karen Blair Reviewed by Helen Gearing A baby sister who can make wishes come true. A mischievous imp who likes to twist wishes and make them go wrong. A nosy neighbour. A very public sports carnival and fundraiser.
Two Sparrowhawks in a Lonely Sky
By Rebecca Lim Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Rebecca is the award winning author of Tiger Daughter ( CBCA 2022 Book of the Year, Older Readers winner) which is about Wen Zhou the daughter and only child of Chinese immigrants whose move to
When I’m Big
By Karen Blair Reviewed by Margarite Igras Karen Blair is an award-winning Australian illustrator and author of children’s picture books. Here she has taken a new and humorous twist on welcoming a new baby to the family and more so, to the
A Message Through Time
Written by Anna Ciddor Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Anna Ciddor has written around sixty non-fiction and middle grade titles, including 52 Mondays and The Family With Two Front Doors. A Message Through Time is a standalone companion to her previous release, The
This Savage Song: Monsters of Verity Book 1
By V. E. Schwab Reviewed by Jane Swinton This is the first instalment in the popular Monsters of Verity series, first published in 2016, now repackaged in a handsome hardback collector's edition. V.E Schwab wrote the award-winning Shades of Magic series, Vicious
The Lorikeet Tree
By Paul Jennings Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Paul Jennings is a household name in the Australian children's book world. He has published numerous books, including Round the Twist which was made into a successful TV series. In 1995 he was made a
The Fowl Twins: Get What They Deserve
By Eoin Colfer Reviewed by Sarah Custance Eoin Colfer is the mastermind behind the bestselling Artemis Fowl series and has now written a spinoff series about Artemis’ younger twin brothers. Get What They Deserve is the third book in The Fowl Twins
Scram! (Clarice Bean)
The True Story of How We Got Our Dog Written and illustrated by Lauren Child Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Who doesn't love Clarice Bean? Lauren Child started writing this hugely successful series way back in 1999. The first was the picture book Clarice
Piano Fingers
By Caroline Magerl Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Caroline Magerl burst upon the children's literature world in 2001 when she won the the CBCA Crichton Award which aims to recognise and encourage new talent in the field of Australian children’s book illustration with
When You’re Older
By Sofie Laguna Illustrated by Judy Watson Reviewed by Sarah Custance Sophie Laguna is an Australian author with over 20 published works, ranging from novels to picture books, and Judy Watson is a multi-media artist who’s work scales from print-making, printing, video and
Where’s My Dinosaur?
By Ashling Kwok Illustrated by Jasmine Berry Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Ashling's previous books include Lola and Grandpa and The Battle while this is Jasmine's, debut picture book, although she has worked for years as an illustrator and graphic designer. This new title is
Can You Do This?
By Michael Wagner Illustrated by Heath McKenzie Reviewed by Margarite Igras. In this wildly imaginative story about sibling rivalry, I can see a mental subtitle on each page saying these activities are dangerous, do not do this. Regardless, little brother imagines that his bigger brother
Footprints on the Moon
By Lorraine Marwood Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Lorraine is a much awarded author of children's novels including Leave Taking and collections of poetry. Here she has written a verse novel about loss and finding your own voice in her signature understated style. The
The Unwilling Twin
Written and illustrated by Freya Blackwood Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Freya Blackwood has been writing and illustrating for children since 2010 and any book with her name on the cover is sure to appeal to children and their parents. She won
We Are Wolves
by Katrina Nannestadt reviewed by Mia Macrossan This historical novel with a serious underlying theme is based on real events. Apparently thousands of lost, orphaned or abandoned children, called Wolfskinder, wandered alone in East Prussia at the end of World War II. They survived
Before the Beginning
by Anna Morgan reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul” Mark 8:36 This quote opens this gripping coming-of-age story from Anna Morgan author of All that Impossible Space, and provides
