The Ballad of Melodie Rose – New Release Book from University of Queensland Press (UQP)
Title: The Ballad of Melodie Rose Author: Kate Gordon Publisher: University of Queensland Press – UQP Publication date: June 1, 2021 Themes: Friendship, belonging, courage, hope, speaking up for what you believe in Additional notable information: Beautiful posters to use for display purposes can be downloaded from the UQP website. There are two poster options […]
The Colour of Music – Book Review and Interview With Matt Ottley
Title: The Colour of Music Author: Lisa Tiffen Illustrator: Matt Ottley Publisher: MidnightSun Publishing Publication date: June 1, 2021 Themes: The power and beauty of music, synaesthesia Synopsis: “Molly can see the music. Colours flash brilliantly as she listens. The music takes her on a journey into a place filled with colour, revealing connections between […]
Sea Country
‘Sea Country’ by Aunty Patsy Cameron, illustrated by Lisa Kennedy and published by Magabala Books transports the reader back to Aunty Cameron’s childhood on Flinders Island in eastern Bass Strait. Her carefree days were spent playing on the beautiful beach teeming with fish and searching for treasure in the form of shells, playing with her […]
Kunyi
‘Kunyi’ by Kunyi June Anne McInerney tells her story in this picture book about being forcibly removed from her family and home when she was four years old to live with the missionaries at the Oodnadatta Children’s Home in the 1950s. This is a story of dispossession, loss, fear, courage, resilience and friendship. Kunyi tells […]
The Valley of Lost Secrets
Themes: World War II history, evacuees, family, secrets, mining communities, small town communities, unsolved disappearance. For ages 9+ This tender story is set in a small coal mine village in South Wales, during the beginning of World War II in 1939. Children are evacuated from Islington, London and sent to live with families in Wales […]
Nicky and Vera: A Quiet Hero of the Holocaust and the Children He Rescued
‘Nicky and Vera: A Quiet Hero of the Holocaust and the Children He Rescued’ by Peter Sís is the powerful story of Nicholas (Nicky) Winton who organised for 669 children to safely leave Nazi occupied Czechoslovakia to live with foster families in England. This is a story of one remarkable man seeing a desperate need […]
Fozia and the Quest of Prince Zal – New Release Book from University of Queensland Press (UQP)
Title: Fozia and the Quest of Prince Zal Author: Rosanne Hawke Publisher: University of Queensland Press – UQP Publication date: March 30, 2021 Themes: family, community spirit and resilience, hope, courage, natural disaster (Pakistan flood in 2010) as well as social, cultural and economic factors in Pakistan Additional notable information: Teachers’ Notes can be downloaded […]
Footprints on the Moon – Book Review and Author Interview
Title: Footprints on the Moon Author: Lorraine Marwood Publisher: University of Queensland Press – UQP Publication date: February 2, 2021 Themes: family, sibling relationships, generational conflict, loss, grief, courage, the Vietnam War, protests, space exploration, friendship, bullying and poetry Additional notable information: Teachers’ Notes can be downloaded from the UQP website. ‘Footprints on the Moon’ […]
My Heart is a Compass (picture book) and Literature Response Discussion Questions
My Heart is a Compass written and illustrated by Deborah Marcero is an empowering picture book full of enchanting details that beckon the reader to explore this story over and over again. This book takes the reader on an adventure inspired by Rose’s unbridled imagination. Rose has a burning desire to be an explorer and […]
Books for Anzac Day
One way for children to learn about Anzac day, in a way that is appropriate for them is through books that sensitively tell stories about the men and women who served – stories about their experiences on the battlefield, the family they left behind and what it was like when they returned home. There are […]