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, […]
How to be Prime Minister and Survive Grade Five
Title: How to be Prime Minister and Survive Grade Five Author: Carla Fitzgerald Publisher: University of Queensland Press – UQP Publication date: 2 August 2022 Themes: Action, courage, democracy, friendship, resilience, sisters, Additional notable information: Teachers’ notes can be downloaded from the UQP website here How to be Prime Minister and Survive Grade Five by Carla […]
Piano Fingers
Piano Fingers by Caroline Magerl is an exquisite and imaginative story that is an inspirational delight to read. Caroline’s stunning poetic text coupled with enormously expressive and lively illustrations, full of whimsical details tell a relatable story with all of the drama and theatre of being on the precipice of acquiring a deeply desired new […]
Charlie’s Swim
Charlie’s Swim written by proud Bardi woman Edith Wright and illustrated by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis, descendant of the Bundjalung people from the Clarence River and published by Magabala Books is a true story that honours the author’s selfless and courageous uncle, Charles D’Antoine, who showed enormous bravery during World War II. Charlie displayed such courage and […]
Ella and the Ocean
Ella and the Ocean by Lian Tanner and illustrated by Jonathan Bentley is a moving story about the power of the imagination, believing and sharing dreams. This is also a story that sensitively explores the human impact of isolation and living in the harsh outback during drought. The front cover sets the scene as the […]
Australia Remembers Len Waters: Boundless and Born to Fly
Title: Australia Remembers Len Waters: Boundless and Born to Fly Author: Catherine Bauer Publisher: Big Sky Publishing Publication date: September 1, 2021 Genre: Historical non-fiction narrative Themes: First Nations Australians, family, Aboriginal culture, Australian military history, Royal Australian Air Force, discrimination, racism, Australian government policy, courage, heroism, perseverance, service to country. Additional notable information: Teachers’ […]
Mina and the Whole Wide World – New Release Book from University of Queensland Press (UQP)
Title: Mina and the Whole Wide World Author: Sherryl Clark With art by: Briony Stewart Publisher: University of Queensland Press – UQP Publication date: July 2, 2021 Themes: Refugees, acceptance, friendship, humanity, courage, belonging, poetry Additional notable information: Teachers’ Notes can be downloaded from the UQP website. Mina and the Whole Wide World by Sherryl […]
Books and Digital Stories about Refugees
Hearing stories about refugees allows children to learn about the reasons why people make the agonising choice to flee their countries and put themselves in life threatening situations in a desperate attempt to seek safety. These stories are gateways to important conversations, they have the power to dismantle bias and encourage empathy and inclusiveness. Escape: […]
Escape, One Day We Had to Run
Escape: One Day We Had To Run is a picture bookby Ming and Wah and illustrated by Carmen Vela. This is a powerful collection of twelve true stories of courage and tenacity in harrowing circumstances. These are stories about desperate people fleeing their homes because of war, famine, slavery, intolerance, economic and political upheaval and […]
Nicky and Vera: A Quiet Hero of the Holocaust and the Children He Rescued
‘Nicky and Vera: A Quiet Hero of the Holocaust and the Children He Rescued’ by Peter Sís is the powerful story of Nicholas (Nicky) Winton who organised for 669 children to safely leave Nazi occupied Czechoslovakia to live with foster families in England. This is a story of one remarkable man seeing a desperate need […]