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 […]
The Last Egg
Title: The Last Egg Author: Sofie Laguna Illustrator: Jess Racklyeft Publisher: Allen and Unwin Publication date: June 3, 2025 Themes: Birds, parenting, trust, resilience, love, courage, commitment, honour, dragons, discovery, community Comprehensive teachers’ notes are available on the Allen and Unwin website here The Last Egg by Sofie Laguna, illustrated by Jess Racklyeft and published by Allen and […]
Higher Ground
Title: Higher Ground Author and Illustrator: Tull Suwannakit Publisher: New Frontier Publication date: March 13, 2025 Themes: Climate change, family, intergenerational relationships, sustainability, hope Comprehensive teachers’ notes are available on the New Frontier website here Higher Ground by Tull Suwannakit and published by New Frontier is a powerful story about two brave children with their wise grandmother and pet […]
On Gallant Wings
The latest historical fiction novel by Helen Edwards, On Gallant Wings, published by Riveted Press, distributed by Simon and Schuster,is an enthralling story that brings a part of Australia’s history alive. Readers are immersed in Ava’s world during World War II when Darwin was bombed and what the aftermath of that looked and felt like; […]