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, […]
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 […]
Scout and the Rescue Dogs
Scout and the Rescue Dogs by Dianne Wolfer with illustrations by Tony Flowers is oozing with community spirit in the face of adversity, layered, authentic and endearing characters, a glimpse into the world of community outreach by truckies and gorgeous dogs needing to find their forever homes. This story seamlessly weaves together in a riveting […]
Mizuto and the Wind
Title: Mizuto and the Wind Author: Kaye Baillie Illustrator: Luisa Gioffre-Suzuki Publisher: MidnightSun Publishing Publication date: June 2023 Mizuto and the Wind by Kaye Baillie, illustrated by Luisa Gioffre-Suzuki and published by MidnightSun Publishing is a moving and powerful story that tenderly explores the forces of nature, family connection, the power of imagination and glimmers of hope that […]
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 Rabbit’s Magician
Title: The Rabbit’s Magician Author: Shae Millward Illustrator: Andy Fackrell Publisher: Ford Street Publishing Themes: Friendship, love, loss, comfort, the moon Publication date: August 1, 2022 Additional notable information: Engaging educational activities can be found on the Ford Street Publishing website here. This story has been inspired the scientific principle, the Law of Conservation of Energy […]
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 […]
Grandad’s Camper
Grandad’s Camper written and illustrated by Harry Woodgate is a celebration of love, intergenerational bonds between a grandfather and granddaughter, storytelling, making cherished memories and finding possibilities. First, it must be said, pause when you open the cover to take in the glorious, front endpaper (which is different to the back endpaper). The story starts […]