Three Dresses
Title: Three Dresses Author and illustrator: Wanda Gibson Publisher: University of Queensland Press (UQP) Publication date: April 2024 Themes: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander customs and beliefs, impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, surviving colonisation and Protection Acts, life on Aboriginal missions, identity and belonging, connection to Country Comprehensive teachers’ notes which include numerous […]
Wurrtoo: The Wombat Who Fell in Love with the Sky
Title: Wurrtoo: The Wombat Who Fell in Love with the Sky Author: Tylissa Elisara Illustrator: Dylan Finney Publisher: Hachette Australia Publication date: March 2024 Themes: First Nations culture and storytelling, wombats, wishes, bravery, diversity, friendship, environment Comprehensive Teachers’ resources are available on the Hachette Australia website here Two new characters that have weaved their way into my […]
Outlaw Girls
Title: Outlaw Girls Authors: Emily Gale and Nova Weetman Publisher: Text Publishing Publication date: February 2024 Comprehensive teachers’notes and an excellent free activity pack for class use (with primary source material and activities) is available from Text Publishing here Two girls, from two very different time periods, both reside in regional Victoria and are daring, not afraid […]
Leo and Ralph
Title: Leo and Ralph Author and illustrator: Peter Carnavas Publisher: University of Queensland Press (UQP) Publication date: February 2024 Themes: Friendship, imaginary friends, alienation, vulnerability, acceptance, space. Teachers’notes are available from the UQP website here Leo’s imagination, full of wonderings; his imaginary friend, Ralph, an alien whose fur changes colour to reflect his mood, together with a […]
Tayta’s Secret Ingredient
Title: Tayta’s Secret Ingredient Author: Amal Abou-Eid Illustrator: Cara King Publisher: MidnightSun Publishing Publication date: March 2024 Themes: Diversity, Harmony Day, intergenerational family bonds, Lebanese culture, baking. Teachers’ notes are available on the MidnightSun Publishing website here. Tayta’s Secret Ingredient by Amal Abou-Eid, illustrated by Cara King and published by MidnightSun Publishing is a gentle and heart-warming […]
For 60 000 Years
“For 60,000 years, as sure as the sun rises and rests, our people have thrived and survived. Originally penned as a poetic response to January 26th, this is an empowering story of truth, strength and community, told by Gamilaroi and Dunghutti woman Marlee Silva and illustrated by Yamatji man Rhys Paddick.” This powerful and evocative […]
Honey and the Valley of Horses
Title: Honey and the Valley of Horses Author: Wendy Orr Publisher: Allen and Unwin Publication date: 1 August 2023 Themes: Adventure, family, grief, healing, horses, fantasy, self-sufficiency, resilience, courage. Teaching resource: Comprehensive teachers’ notes can be downloaded from the Allen and Unwin website When sickness sweeps the world, four-year-old Honey, her baby brother, Rumi, […]
Queenie in Seven Moves
Queenie in Seven Moves by Zanni Louise is a beautiful middle grade novel that highlights the unexpected gifts that come from stepping out of your comfort zone, such as the opportunities to grow, realise your full potential, meet new people and embrace new experiences, follows twelve year old Queenie and her Mum, Clare, as they […]
Top 15 Picture Books of 2023
The following books are some of my favourite picture book reads of 2023. Please click on the titles below that are hyperlinked to see my review which I shared on the Reading Opens Doors blog (some titles I still have to write a review for and will update this post to ensure all books included […]
Top 12 Middle Grade Reads of 2023
The following books are my favourite middle grade reads of 2023. Please click on the titles below that are hyperlinked to see my review which I shared on the Reading Opens Doors blog (some titles I still have to write a review for and will update this post to ensure all books included in this […]