Grow
Written and illustrated by Jess McGeachin A & U Children 2026 Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Jess continues to create attractive and informative picture books, mainly non-fiction, including Find Me in the Forest, South with the Seabirds, The Space Between, Business Chickens and Kind, all reviewed in StoryLinks. He
Last Bat of the Night
By David Gullan & Samantha Metcalfe CSIRO Publishing 2026 Reviewed by Mia Macrossan David Gullan is a primary school teacher, whose love of Australian wildlife has found expression in writing picture books including Life in a Hollow and Last Bat of the Night. Samantha
My Body is My Home
By Jasper Peach & Beci Orpin A & U Children 2026 Teaching Notes Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian author Jasper Peach is a trans, non-binary and disabled writer, speaker and parent whose mission in life is to dismantle misplaced shame. The author’s first book
The Farmer’s Pyjamas
By Ruth Paul Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Before the farmer’s day is done, she does her chores, one by one. She milks the cow, counts the sheep, sings the piglets off to sleep. But if she is to get a well-earned, sound night's sleep she needs
Time To Go To The Park
By Emma Bowd & Leila Rudge Reviewed by Margarite Igras. Emma Bowd is not only an Australian award-winning author who is passionate about writing inclusive picture books, but with a background in occupational therapy, she is also an advocate of imaginative, nature-based
Somewhere You Can Dream
By Janeen Brian & Hilary Jean Tapper Reviewed by Margarite Igras Janeen Brian is a prolific award-winning Australian author and former teacher. Her works include poetry, picture books, junior fiction and non-fiction, and she has even written scripts for Humphrey Bear, the
Soccer I Just Love It!
By Alister Nicholson & Tom Jellett Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Alister Nicholson is one of Australia's best-known radio and TV sports commentators. His first children's book, Cricket, I Just Love It!, was published in 2021. Tom Jellett is a Sydney-based illustrator, who for
Audrey Skips
By Andrea Rowe & Lisa Coutts Reviewed by Dimity Powell Unless you are familiar with Melbourne's skyline and Australia's recent past, you may not be acquainted with The Skipping Girl, aka Audrey. Audrey Skips is a beguiling picture book that changes all that. Based
Tiny Good Things
By Gabrielle Tozer & Sophie Beer Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray ‘Tiny Good Things’ comes from the dream team who brought us ‘Before We Met’, Gabrielle Tozer and Sophie Beer. Each brings a sense of wonder to the early parenthood experience, particularly
Where Would You Go?
By Allison Lester & Jane Godwin and the children at Yalingbu Yirramboi- The Royal Children's Hospital School Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “Explore the magic of imagination with the children of The Royal Children’s Hospital as they wonder where everyone at the hospital might
What Do You Call Your Mum?
By Ashleigh Barton & Martina Heiduczek Reviewed by Barbara Braxton In every country around the world are mums – some short, some tall. Though they go by different names, we love them one and all. Whether it's Mummy, Mama, Mum or Ma, or a word
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
The Man From Snowy River: Australian Classics for Little Ones
Written By Banjo Paterson Edited by Kathryn England Illustrated by Cate James Reviewed by Sophia Evans The Man From Snowy River by Banjo Paterson is a well-known Australian classic poem studied in many primary and high schools. This version, edited by Kathryn England and
Potion Commotion
by Rebecca Grant & Niña Nill Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Potion Commotion is a delightful cumulative tale in 24 pages, which is short enough for story time with a young audience, but long enough to pack a punch (or BOOM!) The rhyme and
Are You the Easter Bunny?
By Janeen Brian & Lucinda Gifford Reviewed by Mia Macrossan There are many books about Easter published at about this time and here is one that is timely and timeless. Are You the Easter Bunny? is about the Greater Bilby which was suggested
The Sheep That Stole the Farmer’s Hat
By Tim Saunders & Carla Martell Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Tim Saunders farms sheep and beef near Palmerston North and is the author of two children's picture books including this one. Carla Martell hails from New Zealand and has a wealth of
Valerie: Australia’s Bravest Sausage Dog
By Lucinda Gifford Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Lucinda, born in Scotland now working in Melbourne has illustrated over 40 books, ten of which she has also written, samples include Too Many Dogs, Grandma Murphy’s Pussycat and The Best Present Ever. Valerie's true story is a gift
Mr McGee
By Pamela Allen Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is another popular children's classic picture book made available as a board book. This perennial favourite first appeared in 1989 and has spawned a series of follow up adventures for the intrepid Mr McGee,
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
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.
Another Year Around the Sun
By Katrina Germein & Alice Lindstrom Reviewed by Margarite Igras. Katrina is an award-winning Australian author of titles such as Fabulous Frogs, One Little Duck (CBCA shortlisted), Bev and Kelly (CBCA Honour Book) and numerous CBCA Notable listings. Some of her works
Neighbourhood Nest
By Sarah Jane Lightfoot Reviewed by Margarite Igras Australian author and illustrator Sarah Jane Lightfoot is known for her informative and visually appealing picture books aimed at 3- to 7-year-olds. Her debut work, Down the Road Little Bee sent the young reader
Fairy Beach
By Sheila Knaggs & Jennifer Falkner Reviewed by Margarite Igras. Sheila Knagg’s inspiration for this story came about one day during the COVID lockdown. She was walking along the beach and heard what she thought was giggling and chatter. It came from
Kevin in a Stew
By Jacqueline Harvey & Kate Isobel Scott Reviewed by Sandy Driessens “Kevin the Sheep is living his dream … To run his own restaurant with a vegetable theme. Choosing Wolfie to cook is a bit of a twist … What will Kevin
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
Crunch! Kaboom! Mighty Mining Machines
By Conor Mills and Clodagh Starr Illustrated by Alison Mutton Reviewed by Mia Macrossan What a wonderful book! Conor Mills, a mining consultant has teamed up with his sister Clodagh Starr to create an exciting, always interesting account of how iron ore is
Who Might You Be?
By R. Henderson Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Who Might You Be? is a fresh, interactive picture book from Robert Henderson. This inventive author/illustrator previously brought us the delightful I See, I See, which invited readers to physically move the book around to explore
Goodnight Glow Worms
By Aura Parker Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Aura is a creator whose previous published books include Meerkat Splash, Meerkat Christmas, The Silly Seabed Song and Goodnight Glow Worms now published as a board book. Her work is characterised by a joyful energy, a sense
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
Grandma Murphy’s Pussycat
By Maura Finn & Lucinda Gifford Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Maura is a Melbourne based author of several charming picture books including Birdsong by the Billabong and Too Many Cats. Lucinda has a well- deserved reputation for appealing illustrations with numerous picture
