Powerful Like a Dragon
Powerful Like a Dragon masterfully written by Christopher Cheng and vividly brought to life through Jacqueline Tam’s breathtaking illustrations, draws from the author’s own personal family history. This powerful non-fiction narrative is set during the imperial Japanese invasion of Hong Kong in 1941. It follows a young boy, Shu Lok, who embodies kindness, discipline, resilience, […]
One Koala, One Hundred Trees
One Koala, One Hundred Trees by Leesa Allinson, illustrated by Heather Potter and Mark Jackson and published by Wild Dog Books is a hopeful story about a curious young girl determined to make a difference and make her family’s rural property safer for koalas. Identifying a problem and wanting to help a situation demands creative […]
Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping
Title: Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping Author: Craig Silvey Illustrator: Sara Acton Publisher: Allen and Unwin Publication date: September 30 2025 Themes: Love, family and friendship, truth and honesty, identity and belonging, selflessness, kindness and care, community and rural Australia, dance and the arts. A comprehensive teaching resource is available on the publisher’s website here Runt and […]
The Surface Trials
Title: The Surface Trials Author and illustrator: HM Waugh Publisher: Allen and Unwin Publication date: 29 April 2025 Themes: Space, reality TV, STEAM, STEM, alien planet, adventure, survival, quest, competition, teamwork, science fiction, A comprehensive teaching resource is available from the publisher here The Surface Trials by HM Waugh and published by Allen and Unwin is a […]
Sidney of Sydney
Picture books based on true stories often spark curiosity, inspire further exploration and are a gateway to rich discussions. One perfect example of this is the charming tale, Sidney of Sydney by Sue Whiting, illustrated by Liz Anelli and published by Walker Books. Some young readers may see themselves in Sidney, a penguin with an […]
Song of a Thousand Seas
Title: Song of a Thousand Seas Author: Zana Fraillon Publisher: UQP Publication date: September 2, 2025 Themes: Friendship, empathy, curiosity, creative thinking, connection, hope, home, octopuses Comprehensive teachers’ notes are available on the UQP website here. Song of a Thousand Seas by Zana Fraillon and published by UQP gifts the reader the unique and memorable experience of […]
Danger Road
The thrilling cold case crime novel, Danger Road, by Allison Tait has all the ingredients to utterly captivate and hook readers 10 plus. The clues revolving around the hit and run unsolved case relating to the death of Corey Armstrong are scattered throughout the story ensuring the audience is not passively reading along, but rather […]
The Giant
Title: The Giant Author: Sophie Masson Illustrator: Lorena Carrington Publisher: MidnightSun Publishing Publication date: August 2025 Author Sophie Masson, illustrator Lorena Carrington and MidnightSun Publishing have teamed up again to create another phenomenal picture book, The Giant. This poignant, fable is about a gentle giant who has slept in a cave for a very long time. He […]
Sonny & Tess
Title: Sonny & Tess Author and illustrator: Nova Weetman Publisher: UQP Publication date: July 2025 Themes: Relationships, romance, family dynamics, friendship, parental expectations, change Comprehensive teachers’ notes are available on the UQP website here Sonny & Tess by Nova Weetman and published by UQP is an uplifting, charming and absorbing story that readers 11+ will devour and […]
Music Camp
Title: Music Camp Author: Penny Tangey Publisher: University of Queensland Press – UQP Publication date: June 3, 2025 Themes: Friendship, resilience, jealousy, courage, music, climate change, floods, advocacy, action, loss Comprehensive teachers’ notes are available on the University of Queensland Press (UQP) website here Music Camp by Penny Tangey and published by UQP is an absorbing, thought provoking […]