The Apprentice Witnesser
Title: The Apprentice Witnesser Author and illustrator: Bren MacDibble Publisher: Allen and Unwin Publication date: April 2024 Themes: Power of human connection, family (whether it be biological or not), love, courage, loyalty, sacrifice, survival, the impossible decisions and consequences borne from a deep love, forgiveness and healing. A comprehensive teaching resource can be downloaded from the Allen […]
The Rebels of Mount Buffalo
The Rebels of Mount Buffalo by Helen Edwards is an absorbing Australian historical fiction, time slip novel for upper primary readers. In this story, Clara is trying to navigate a new, unfamiliar world since the passing of her adored twin brother Darius. She carries emotions that are often associated with grief, anger, guilt and an […]
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 […]
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, […]
A Message Through Time
Title: A Message Through Time Author: Anna Ciddor Publisher: Allen and Unwin Publication date: 4 April 2023 Themes: Ancient Roman childhood, friendship, family dynamics, adventure, courage, resilience, gender roles, past and present Additional notable information: Extremely comprehensive teachers’ notes can be downloaded from the Allen and Unwin website here. A Message Through Time by Anna Ciddor and […]
Pearly and Pig and the Lost City of Mu Savan
Pearly Woe’s tummy bubbles with worries and she grapples with this as an Adventurologist in training. Self-doubt and pestering worries have no place when you are accompanying your experienced Adventurologist parents and grandpa to the fictious Kingdom of Anachak in a mountainous, dense jungle beside the Mekong River to the remote village of Ban Noa […]
Meet Me at the Moon Tree
Title: Meet Me at the Moon Tree Author: Shivaun Plozza Publisher: University of Queensland Press – (UQP) Publication date: July 4, 2023 Themes: Love, grief, acceptance, hope, courage, science, trees and magic Additional notable information: Comprehensive teachers’ notes can be downloaded from the UQP website here. Love and loss, family dynamics and how grief can impact these, intergenerational […]
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 […]
The Fix-it Princess
Title: The Fix-it Princess Author: Janeen Brian Illustrator: Cherie Dignam Publisher: Walker Books Publication date: March 7, 2023 Additional notable information: Teachers’ notes can be downloaded from Walker Books here. This review is part of a Books on Tour campaign From the Castle-by-the-Woods the indomitable, inventive, resourceful Princess Shona, together with a singing, empathetic dragon embark on a […]
One More Mountain
Title: One More Mountain Authors: Deborah Ellis Publisher: Allen and Unwin Publication date: November 1, 2022 RRP: $16.99 (AUD) Teaching resource: A comprehensive teaching resource written by Robyn Sheahan-Bright is available to download from the Allen and Unwin website. One More Mountain, the fifth book in the Parvana series by Deborah Ellis is set in modern-day Afghanistan in 2021 […]