The Crown
The Crown lyrically written and atmospherically illustrated by Emily Kapff is a stirring and thought provoking story about the role humanity plays as caretakers of this earth and the impact our choices have for the future. This story is told by a young girl living in the future on a barren land filled with waste, […]
Stay for Dinner
Stay for Dinner written by Sandhya Parappukkaran, illustrated by Michelle Pereira and published by Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing is the third collaboration between this highly creative duo who continue to create such engaging books that celebrate difference and cultural diversity. Their stunning books empower, include and validate the way children see themselves and are greatly […]
Sonam and the Silence
Title: Sonam and the Silence Author: Eddie Ayres Illustrator: Ronak Taher Publisher: Allen and Unwin Publication date: Paperback edition published in 2023 Additional notable information: A comprehensive teacher resource can be downloaded from the Allen and Unwin website here. Sonam and the Silence written by Eddie Ayres, illustrated by Ronak Taher and published by Allen and Unwin tells […]
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 […]
Frank’s Red Hat
Standing out in the world, making your mark and putting forward inventive ideas requires courage, grit, creativity, imagination and self-belief which Frank, a penguin, has in spades. Frank’s Red Hat by Sean E Avery explores Frank’s journey full of twists and turns as he tries to come up with his next best idea and the […]
My Strange Shrinking Parents
My Strange Shrinking Parents by Zeno Sworder, which has recently been announced for the 2023 CBCA Shortlist in the Picture Book of the Year category, is a stunning, reflective, artful narrative imbued with symbolism and inspired by the creators childhood as a young boy who hails from immigrant parents. This is a story about the […]
The Gift
The Gift by Michael Speechley begins with a curious young girl, Rosie, intrigued by the home over the road which appears to be neglected and has fallen into disrepair. There is little evidence of who lives in this home, most people in the community believe the derelict home to be unoccupied, but Rosie is convinced […]
The Garden at the End of the World
Title: The Garden at the End of the World Author: Cassy Polimeni Illustrator: Briony Stewart Publisher: University of Queensland Press – UQP Publication date: 4 April 2023 Themes: Hope, action, the Crop Trust, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Sustainable Development Goals, food security and stewardship Additional notable information: Comprehensive teachers’ notes which include a […]
Satin
Title: Satin Author: Sophie Masson Illustrator: Lorena Carrington Publisher: MidnightSun Publishing Publication date: March 2023 Teacher Notes: Available on the MidnightSun Publishing website here Satin by Sophie Masson, illustrated by Lorena Carrington and published by MidnightSun publishing is highly intriguing, meaningful, sophisticated and a remarkably unique picture book for upper primary school students. It is imbued […]
Noticing
Noticing by Kobi Yamada and illustrated by Elise Hurst is a stunning companion book to their earlier title, Trying. In a similar vein to Trying, their newest book follows a young girl and an older woman who serves as a mentor. This older woman is a painter and a keen, dedicated observer of the world, […]