The Grown-Up’s Guide to Picture Books
The Grown-Up’s Guide to Picture Books by Lara Cain Gray, illustrated by Timothy Ide and Lorena Carrington and published by MidnightSun Publishing is a stunning deep dive into picture book goodness. This innovative A-Z guide creatively explores the power of picture books, the science behind them and includes fascinating details about the history of this […]
Huda Was Here
Title: Huda Was Here Author: H Hayeck Publisher: Allen and Unwin Publication date: April 2023 Brother and sister, Huda and Akeal, return in the stand-alone sequel, Huda Was Here by H Hayeck and published by Allen and Unwin. The siblings are bolder with their calculated plans full of mischief, mayhem and courage. This story sees Huda hatch […]
How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade Five
Title: How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade Five Author: Carla Fitzgerald Publisher: University of Queensland Press Publication date: July 2024 Themes: Kindness, compassion, selflessness, confidence, friendship, humility and hope Comprehensive teachers’notes are available from University of Queensland Press (UQP) here How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade Five by Carla Fitzgerald and […]
Timeless
Timeless by Kelly Canby and published by Fremantle Press, the 2024 CBCA Picture Book of the Year, cleverly explores the concept of time through the eyes of a curious, young child, Emit (time spelt backwards). He reflects on the concept of time, how it is elusive, how it appears that there is never enough and […]
Every Night At Midnight
This is a tender story about Felix who feels he does not fit in at school and has a unique secret, the actions he takes because of this, the loneliness and isolation he experiences, his two very different identities and finding his tribe, or pack, in Felix’s case in the most unlikely way. Every Night […]
Ella and the Amazing Frog Orchestra
Ella and the Amazing Frog Orchestra by Cassy Polimeni, illustrated by Hykie Breeze and published by UWA Publishing is a new delightful, heart-warming junior fiction series. Cassy’s perfect word choice, use of the right tempo for the story’s voice and length, as well as audience engagement with a fun layout and creative fonts, together with […]
Cora Seen and Heard
Cora Seen and Heard by Zanni Louise and Published by Walker Books holds a mirror up to middle grade readers who struggle with self-doubt, feelings of insecurity, and/or are navigating change and adversity in their lives. This story gifts readers the ability to walk in the shoes of Cora Lane who has recently moved from […]
Picture Books to Help Teach Narrative Writing
The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name by Sandhya Parappukkaran and illustrated by Michelle Pereira received the CBCA Winner Award for New Illustrators in 2022 and is a 2022 CBCA Notable. This is an uplifting and beautiful story, told from the perspective of a young South East Asian boy and is about celebrating cultural […]
Sensational Australian Animals
Title: Sensational Australian Animals Author: Stephanie Owen Reeder Illustrator: Cher Hart Publisher: CSIRO Publishing Publication date: February 2024 Themes: The five senses, animal behaviour and physical animal features Comprehensive Teacher Notes are available on the CSIRO Publishing website. Sensational Australian Animals by Stephanie Owen Reeder, illustrated by Cher Hart and published by CSIRO Publishing, begins by asking […]
The Garden of Broken Things
The Garden of Broken Things invites the reader on a journey with Sadie; a journey of discovery, life, loss, the past, history. A journey sparked by insatiable curiosity, freedom and the innocence of a young girl, open minded and with a keen desire to connect and share without fear and judgement. This journey is evocatively […]