Over or Under?
Over or Under? from acclaimed author Pip Harry and award-winning illustrator Hilary Jean Tapper is a book I am excited to explore at the beginning of the school year in library classes. It’s themes relating to courage, resilience and not giving up when learning a new skill, believing in yourself and beach safety serve as […]
Small Acts
Themes relating to true friendship, kindness, vulnerability, courage and finding your place, plus four inspiring autistic characters that are relatable and make a difference combine to make Small Acts by Kate Gordon and Kate Foster, an engrossing and powerful story. This book gifts readers an insight into the varied ways autism may present and the […]
Summer of Shipwrecks
Title: Summer of Shipwrecks Author: Shivaun Plozza Publisher: University of Queensland Press Publication date: September 3, 2024 Themes: Friendship, change, integrity, courage, adventure, coming of age, divorce, shipwrecks Comprehensive teachers’ notes are available on the University of Queensland Press (UQP) website here Summer of Shipwrecks by Shivaun Plozza and published by University of Queensland Press explores with […]
Huda Was Here
Title: Huda Was Here Author: H Hayeck Publisher: Allen and Unwin Publication date: April 2023 Brother and sister, Huda and Akeal, return in the stand-alone sequel, Huda Was Here by H Hayeck and published by Allen and Unwin. The siblings are bolder with their calculated plans full of mischief, mayhem and courage. This story sees Huda hatch […]
Timeless
Timeless by Kelly Canby and published by Fremantle Press, the 2024 CBCA Picture Book of the Year, cleverly explores the concept of time through the eyes of a curious, young child, Emit (time spelt backwards). He reflects on the concept of time, how it is elusive, how it appears that there is never enough and […]
Every Night At Midnight
This is a tender story about Felix who feels he does not fit in at school and has a unique secret, the actions he takes because of this, the loneliness and isolation he experiences, his two very different identities and finding his tribe, or pack, in Felix’s case in the most unlikely way. Every Night […]
Ella and the Amazing Frog Orchestra
Ella and the Amazing Frog Orchestra by Cassy Polimeni, illustrated by Hykie Breeze and published by UWA Publishing is a new delightful, heart-warming junior fiction series. Cassy’s perfect word choice, use of the right tempo for the story’s voice and length, as well as audience engagement with a fun layout and creative fonts, together with […]
The Garden of Broken Things
The Garden of Broken Things invites the reader on a journey with Sadie; a journey of discovery, life, loss, the past, history. A journey sparked by insatiable curiosity, freedom and the innocence of a young girl, open minded and with a keen desire to connect and share without fear and judgement. This journey is evocatively […]
The Concrete Garden
Written during COVID times with clues in the illustrations to reflect this, The Concrete Garden by Bob Graham, celebrates the profound ripple effect one child’s creative actions can have on their community and further afield. After being inside for an extended period, an apartment block filled with children from diverse backgrounds, comes to life as […]
When the Lights Went Out
Title: When the Lights Went Out Author: Lian Tanner Illustrator: Jonathan Bentley Publisher: Allen and Unwin Publication date: 2 July 2024 Comprehensive teachers’ notes can be downloaded from the publisher’s website here When the Lights Went Out by Lian Tanner, illustrated by Jonathan Bentley and published by Allen and Unwin is a glowing story about community, connection, […]