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 […]
The Concrete Garden
Written during COVID times with clues in the illustrations to reflect this, The Concrete Garden by Bob Graham, celebrates the profound ripple effect one child’s creative actions can have on their community and further afield. After being inside for an extended period, an apartment block filled with children from diverse backgrounds, comes to life as […]
When the Lights Went Out
Title: When the Lights Went Out Author: Lian Tanner Illustrator: Jonathan Bentley Publisher: Allen and Unwin Publication date: 2 July 2024 Comprehensive teachers’ notes can be downloaded from the publisher’s website here When the Lights Went Out by Lian Tanner, illustrated by Jonathan Bentley and published by Allen and Unwin is a glowing story about community, connection, […]
The Kindness Project
Deborah Abela has cleverly positioned readers to walk in the shoes of the four protagonists in her debut verse novel, The Kindness Project. This story holds a mirror up to middle grade readers who may feel different to their peers and/or are navigating change and adversity in their lives. In this story, four seemingly very […]