Wizard & CO.
By Mitchell Toy Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian author/illustrator Mitchell Toy is fairly new in the book world but has already published 4 picture books, The Great Australian Bite, The Bounty of Bootless Ben, The Midnight City, and his latest work, Wizard
Under the Moonlight
Written and illustrated by Susannah Crispe Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Susannah Crispe is a Canberra-based children's book author and illustrator, with a background in zoology and a passion for beautifully crafted books. Under the Moonlight is all about overcoming a fear of
Dogs in Disguise
By Peter Bently and John Bond Reviewed by Sarah Custance Perfectly paired in this wonderfully outrageous rhyming picture book, Dogs in Disguise, is author Peter Bently and illustrator John Bond. The book can be neatly described in its opening lines of: “Dogs
Let’s Go! On a Helicopter
By Rosalyn Albert & Natalia Moore Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the latest in the popular Let's Go! series by the same creators where children explore the world on various modes of transport such as a train, a submarine, a fire
Backyard Beasties
By Helen Milroy Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Born and educated in Perth, Helen Milroy is a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. She is Australia’s first Indigenous doctor of medicine but is also a talented creator
Christmas in Australia
By John Williamson Illustrated by Mitch Vane Reviewed by Mia Macrossan John Williamson is a well-known Australian entertainer and here is a popular song of his, Christmas in Australia, available in picture book format. It is charmingly illustrated by Mitch Vane. What little plot
Hello Baby!
By Shelly Unwin Illustrated by Jedda Robaard Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This attractive book is firmly aimed at parents of a new born. It’s the kind of book you give at a birth or naming party, but it is lovely to share with
Little Bilby’s Aussie Bush Christmas
By Yvonne Mes Illustrated by Jody Pratt Reviewed by Mia Macrossan We first met Little Bilby in Little Bilby's Easter Egg Hunt, and now he and his friends are travelling through the bush accepting Christmas gifts from various iconic Australian animals with which
The Curse of the Vampire Robot
By Graeme Base Reviewed by Sarah Custance Picture book legend Graeme Base has done it again with his fantastic new book The Curse of the Vampire Robot. With such well known and loved books like Animalia and The Eleventh Hour along with
Shine
By Danny Parker Illustrated by Ruth de Vos Reviewed by Mia Macrossan People are often impelled to list and enumerate the ways in which they love someone, whether it be a friend, lover, or family. Parents particularly care for their children in a
Noni the Pony Counts to a Million
By Alison Lester Reviewed by Barbara Braxton Former Australian Children’s Laureate Alison Lester first introduced us to Noni the Pony in 2011 and it was shortlisted for the CBCA Early Childhood Book of the Year. This was followed by another adventure Noni the Pony Goes
Stop the Dad Jokes
By Adrian Beck Illustrated by Simon Greiner Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Adrian Beck is the author of several popular humourous stories for children including the Derek Dool, the Champion Charlies and the Alien Zoo series. Simon Greiner has illustrated a number of children's
Hello World
By Lisa Shanahan Illustrated by Leila Rudge Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Lisa is the author of several award winning books including Bear and Chook by the Sea and Big Pet Day. Here in collaboration with the talented Leila Rudge she has created another
The Very Itchy Bear
Written and illustrated by Nick Bland Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Nick Bland is an author/illustrator who now lives in Darwin. This is one from his popular Bear series which include The Very Cranky Bear, The Very Noisy Bear and The Very Sleepy
Where Are You, Magoo?
Written and illustrated by Briony Stewart Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Magoo is back.! You may remember We Love You Magoo by Briony Stewart reviewed here and shortlisted for the Children's Book of the Year Award: Early Childhood. Briony both creates and illustrates
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 Bird in the Herd
by Kathryn Apel Illustrated by Renee Treml Reviewed by Jillian Custance Here is another charming title by Kathryn Apel, who has published work, mostly in verse, for children across age ranges. Kathryn grew up on a Queensland grazing property giving her a unique
What Do You Call Your Grandpa?
By Ashleigh Barton Illustrated by Martina Heiduczek Reviewed by Margarite Igras This debut book by Australian author, Ashleigh Barton is a delightful and informative read about the different names children call their grandpa in a culturally diverse world. And I am really pleased
The Great Realisation
By Tomos Roberts Illustrated by Nomoco Reviewed by Jillian Custance Tomos Roberts is a 26-year-old NZ filmmaker/poet who uses the pen-name Tom Foolery. The Great Realisation is his first picture book. The book was inspired by a poem “The Great Realisation” that Tomos released
Koalas Like To …
Written by Shae Millward Illustrated by Brent Wilson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Shae Millward is a Queensland writer and this is her second picture book. Brent Wilson is an Australian-based illustrator whose art echoes children's books from the 1950s and 1960s. Koalas Like
Shoosh!
Written and illustrated by Simon Howe Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Simon Howe is a picture book illustrator who has worked on many projects including Natalie Pryor's Naughty Dragons series. This is the first book that he has both written and illustrated. A tired
We Love You, Magoo
written and illustrated by Briony Stewart reviewed by Mia Macrossan Magoo is puppy, a red setter by the look of the illustrations and he has a mind and will of his own. He is interested in everything around him and wants to try
Grumbelina
by Esther Krogdahl illustrated by Aleksandra Szmidt reviewed by Mia Macrossan This amusing and timely story is about a toddler who has missed the ‘terrible twos’ period but has become a grumbling contrary creature overnight at three and a half years old. It
Bitsy
by Nikki Greenberg reviewed by Mia Macrossan Greenberg is well known for her graphic adaptations of The Great Gatsby and Hamlet (joint winner of the 2011 Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year award) but here she has come
Tricky’s Bad Day
by Alison Lester reviewed by Claire Monsour Poor Tricky is having a bad day. It all starts when he wakes early and tries to get himself some milk; but a spill and a slip wake the whole family! From then on, nothing seems
The Runaway Pea
by Kjartan Poskitt illustrated by Alex Willmore reviewed by Claire Monsour It's time for tea, the dinner has been served - but one mischievous rogue pea has decided to ping himself off the plate in search of adventure! Thus starts an amazing journey across
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
It’s Not Scribble To Me*
Written by Kate Ritchie Illustrated by Jedda Robaard Reviewed by Kerry Neary Written in vibrant, bouncing verse, the story follows a little bear who has just entered the crayon phase of its life. Most likely, it has been inspired as a mother watches
Quick, Barney, Run!
Written by Pip Jones Illustrated by Laura Hughes Reviewed by Andrea Wilson Can you remember being stuck inside on a rainy day as a child? With themes of cooperation and problem solving, Quick, Barney, Run! is a picture book told from a
