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, […]
What Feelings Do When No One’s Looking
What Feelings Do When No One’s Looking by Tina Oziewicz and Aleksandra Zając is a glorious picture book that deeply contemplates 31 feelings in the most evocative and mesmerising way. In this book the feelings vividly come to life through endearing, furry, round, plump creatures that are depicted with the most expressive facial expressions and […]
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, […]
Finding You
Finding You, masterfully written by Robert Vescio and exquisitely illustrated by Hannah Sommerville is a heartfelt, tender story about new beginnings and how these often involve courage and being open to possibilities. It’s a story about the beauty in the unexpected, the journey of friendship, unbreakable bonds that form between people and pets as well […]
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 […]