Desert Jungle
Desert Jungle by esteemed picture book author and artist, Jeannie Baker, is a stunning celebration of a misunderstood desert landscape, rich in diversity as well as a powerful call to action to connect with and protect desert habitats. This story is set in the Sonoran Desert and in the author’s note, Jeannie mentions that “recent […]
Waiting for the Storks
Waiting for the Storks by master storyteller Katrina Nannestad with Illustrations by Martina Heiduczekis and published by HarperCollins is Katrina’s third historical fiction title which is inspired by an event during World War 2 and sensitively, yet powerfully, explores this from a child’s perspective. This book, recommended for readers 12+ is inspired by real people […]
Books for Harmony Week
Harmony Week celebrates the richness of diversity and all of the different cultures in Australia. Australia is a culturally diverse country and is home to the oldest continuous culture on earth and the most recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics from the 2021 census reports that just over seven million people, 27.6 per cent […]
The Incredibly Busy Mind of Bowen Bartholomew Crisp
The Incredibly Busy Mind of Bowen BartholomewCrisp by Paul Russell and illustrated by Nicky Johnston is a sensitively written story about children who have neurodivergent minds. It is a story for all children to gain an understanding and develop an appreciation for such diversity. This book gives readers an opportunity to step into the shoes, […]
Finding You
Finding You, masterfully written by Robert Vescio and exquisitely illustrated by Hannah Sommerville is a heartfelt, tender story about new beginnings and how these often involve courage and being open to possibilities. It’s a story about the beauty in the unexpected, the journey of friendship, unbreakable bonds that form between people and pets as well […]
The Jammer
Title: The Jammer Author: Nova Weetman Publisher: University of Queensland Press – UQP Publication date: October 5, 2022 Themes: relationships, grief, belonging, friendship, growing up, roller derby Additional notable information: Teachers’ notes can be downloaded from the UQP website here Fred is the Jammer for her local roller derby team. This is a sport her […]
Egg
Title: Egg Author: Clare Atkins Illustrator: Harrison Vial Publisher: University of Queensland Press – UQP Publication date: 2 August 2022 Themes: Belonging, refugees, xenophobia, discrimination, fear of the unknown, kindness, acceptance and climate change Additional notable information: Teachers’ notes can be downloaded from the UQP website here Egg by Clare Atkins and illustrated by Harrison Vial is […]
The Callers
The Callers by Kiah Thomas is a gripping, nuanced fantasy read (for 9-12 year olds) with such a unique, thought provoking storyline. This is a story which entices readers to question how they would respond to the moral dilemmas the main characters face as the protagonist has to unlearn all that he has ever known […]
We Run Tomorrow
We Run Tomorrow by Nat Amoore with art by Mike Barry and published by Puffin Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House Australia is brimming with adventure and suspense as well as a (mostly) likeable cast of diverse characters. These are the types of characters you can’t help but cheer on; celebrate their wins with […]
A Feather on a Wing
Title: A Feather on a Wing Author and Illustrator: Maria Speyer Publisher: University of Queensland Press – UQP Publication date: 31 May 2022 Themes: Belonging, comfort, adventure, lullabies, bedtime stories Additional notable information: Teachers’ Notes can be downloaded from the UQP website here. A Feather on a Wing choral arrangement can be found here. You can listen to A […]