Yalla! Let’s Go!
Yalla! Let’s Go! co-authored by Peter Bol and Jennifer Castles, illustrated by Louie Joyce and published by Allen & Unwin, shares the childhood story of Sudanese-Australian Olympian and 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medallist Nagmeldin ‘Peter’ Bol. Through Peter’s experiences, readers follow his family’s journey as they flee civil war in Sudan, seek refuge in Egypt […]
Sundays Under the Lemon Tree
Sunday’s Under The Lemon Tree, by Julia Busuttil Nishimura and illustrated by Myo Yim makes for a joyful escape. This picture book reminds me so much of my childhood and transports me back to the big Sicilian family gatherings we enjoyed. They were brimming with love, laughter, warmth, family traditions and delicious dishes made with […]
Our History: Hill End Gold
Hill End Gold by Sue Whiting is the third book in the Our History series published by Walker Books. This historical fiction novel transports the reader back to the sights, sounds, dangers and way of life for a community gripped by gold fever in the booming gold rush town of Hill End in 1872. The […]
Joey and the Junjardy
Allison Rocca, descendant of Wakka Wakka and Kaanju people and Brenton E McKenna a Yawuru artist, have created a rollicking middle grade story brimming with mischief and humour, while simultaneously exploring weightier themes of identity and belonging that give the narrative emotional depth. Joey and the Junjardy, published by UQP, follows eleven-year-old, Joey Gibbs on […]
Running in Circles
Running in Circles by Shivaun Plozza and published by University of Queensland Press (UQP) is an inventive, thought provoking and intriguing story where the themes of climate change, crop circles and conspiracies collide. The book explores how theories, conflicting viewpoints and blinding obsessions can fuel suspicion and speculation, polarising not only a family, but an […]
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; […]
Tomato Sandwich
Caroline Magerl is a master at transporting the reader into the pages of her stories, pulling the readers heart into the worlds of whimsy, magic and joy that she so sublimely creates. Tomato Sandwich, a wordless picture book by Caroline Magerl and published by Walker Books, is one that you can’t help but read with […]
Chickenpox
Remy Lai in her latest graphic novel, Chickenpox, published by Allen and Unwin, takes the reader into the world of twelve-year-old Abby Lai who is keen for any opportunity to spend time away from home, aka the wild zoo, where her four younger rambunctious siblings in equal measure annoy, embarrass and frustrate her. Set in […]
Laughter is the Best Medicine
Laughter is the Best Ending by Maryam Master and illustrated by Astrid Hicks shines a light on the beauty of intergenerational friendships. It also highlights the powerful and unlikely friendships that are formed when tweens come together for an extended period of time sans devices and creating an online identity as an “influencer”, the relentless […]