The Enemy
The Enemy by Davide Cali, illustrated by Serge Bloch and published by Wilkins Farago, in association with Amnesty International Australia is a powerful picture book for older readers, set in a barren desert during wartime; there are two holes, each inhabited by a soldier and they are enemies. This story, with sparse text is told […]
The Crown
The Crown lyrically written and atmospherically illustrated by Emily Kapff is a stirring and thought provoking story about the role humanity plays as caretakers of this earth and the impact our choices have for the future. This story is told by a young girl living in the future on a barren land filled with waste, […]
Sunshine on Vinegar Street
Title: Sunshine on Vinegar Street Author: Karen Comer Publisher: Allen and Unwin Publication date: 30 May 2023 Additional notable information: A comprehensive teacher resource can be downloaded from the Allen and Unwin website here. Sunshine on Vinegar Street by Karen Comer and published by Allen and Unwin is a gripping and stirring verse novel set in Melbourne and imbued […]
Stay for Dinner
Stay for Dinner written by Sandhya Parappukkaran, illustrated by Michelle Pereira and published by Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing is the third collaboration between this highly creative duo who continue to create such engaging books that celebrate difference and cultural diversity. Their stunning books empower, include and validate the way children see themselves and are greatly […]
Sea Glass
Sea Glass by Rebecca Fraser and published by Wombat Books is a contemporary Australian story full of heart, with authentic, nuanced, relatable characters who navigate seeming irreconcilable differences and show that possibilities, treasure and joy can experienced with an open mind and heart. Eleven-year-old Cailin lives with her Mum in Melbourne. They are moving to […]
Sonam and the Silence
Title: Sonam and the Silence Author: Eddie Ayres Illustrator: Ronak Taher Publisher: Allen and Unwin Publication date: Paperback edition published in 2023 Additional notable information: A comprehensive teacher resource can be downloaded from the Allen and Unwin website here. Sonam and the Silence written by Eddie Ayres, illustrated by Ronak Taher and published by Allen and Unwin tells […]
Desert Jungle
Desert Jungle by esteemed picture book author and artist, Jeannie Baker, is a stunning celebration of a misunderstood desert landscape, rich in diversity as well as a powerful call to action to connect with and protect desert habitats. This story is set in the Sonoran Desert and in the author’s note, Jeannie mentions that “recent […]
The Tree and the River
From the publisher: “from a master of the wordless form comes an epic reimagining of human civilisation. This time-lapse is a meditation on the relationship between two mighty forces: nature and humankind”. Wordless picture book, The Tree and the River by Aaron Becker follows the human impact and impermanence of an area of land throughout […]
Frank’s Red Hat
Standing out in the world, making your mark and putting forward inventive ideas requires courage, grit, creativity, imagination and self-belief which Frank, a penguin, has in spades. Frank’s Red Hat by Sean E Avery explores Frank’s journey full of twists and turns as he tries to come up with his next best idea and the […]
My Strange Shrinking Parents
My Strange Shrinking Parents by Zeno Sworder, which has recently been announced for the 2023 CBCA Shortlist in the Picture Book of the Year category, is a stunning, reflective, artful narrative imbued with symbolism and inspired by the creators childhood as a young boy who hails from immigrant parents. This is a story about the […]