Music Camp
Title: Music Camp Author: Penny Tangey Publisher: University of Queensland Press – UQP Publication date: June 3, 2025 Themes: Friendship, resilience, jealousy, courage, music, climate change, floods, advocacy, action, loss Comprehensive teachers’ notes are available on the University of Queensland Press (UQP) website here Music Camp by Penny Tangey and published by UQP is an absorbing, thought provoking […]
The Last Egg
Title: The Last Egg Author: Sofie Laguna Illustrator: Jess Racklyeft Publisher: Allen and Unwin Publication date: June 3, 2025 Themes: Birds, parenting, trust, resilience, love, courage, commitment, honour, dragons, discovery, community Comprehensive teachers’ notes are available on the Allen and Unwin website here The Last Egg by Sofie Laguna, illustrated by Jess Racklyeft and published by Allen and […]
Higher Ground
Title: Higher Ground Author and Illustrator: Tull Suwannakit Publisher: New Frontier Publication date: March 13, 2025 Themes: Climate change, family, intergenerational relationships, sustainability, hope Comprehensive teachers’ notes are available on the New Frontier website here Higher Ground by Tull Suwannakit and published by New Frontier is a powerful story about two brave children with their wise grandmother and pet […]
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 […]
August and Jones
A friendship that knows no bounds, confronting fears head on, living life to the fullest in the face of adversity and two tweens navigating the trials and tribulations of life with courage, grace, resilience and a sense of adventure are some of the moving themes in August and Jones by Pip Harry. This story, inspired […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
Books to Explore at the Beginning of the School Year and Revisit Regularly – Collection 2
To view the first collection of books to explore at the beginning of the school year and revisit regularly, please visit the Reading Opens Doors blog here. The following collection of books either promote a growth mindset, celebrate difference and inclusivity, or are a source of inspiration for creating a class inquiry task. These books […]