The Old Fire by Elisa Shua Dusapin (Scribe Publications) I was transfixed while reading Elisa Shua Dusapin’s new literary novel, The Old Fire. Translated from the French by Aneesa Abbas Higgins, the author disrupts what seems to be a cosy, country atmosphere with discordant layers between sisters, who haven’t seen each other for years, waiting […]
Read More The Old Fire by Elisa Shua DusapinINSIDE THE CBCA 2026 SHORTLIST The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Shortlisted Books for 2026 have been announced from the Notables list. Follow the links to those books I have already reviewed, or interviewed the author or illustrator, at PaperbarkWords blog. I will add to this list until the winners are announced in August. Congratulations to those […]
Read More Inside the 2026 CBCA ShortlistThe Embarrassing Confessions of Gracie Sparks by Fiona Harris Affirm Press, Simon & Schuster Extract from Gracie’s diary in The Embarrassing Confessions of Gracie Sparks at PaperbarkWords blog 4 pm After a very average start, I’m happy to report that today turned into one of my top five birthdays of all time. My best friends, […]
Read More The Embarrassing Confessions of Gracie Sparks by Fiona HarrisWhy, Oh Why? The Story of Rainbows, by Roy G. Biv (Tim Hurburgh) Hardie Grant Custom Roy G. Biv (Tim Hurburgh) writes about his picture book The Story of Rainbows for Paperbark Word blog. Growing up outside Hobart on the River Derwent, life was full of wonder. We were endlessly curious about the natural world […]
Read More Why, Oh Why? The Story of Rainbows, by Roy G. Biv (Tim Hurburgh)The Season for Flying Saucers by Brendan Colley (Transit Lounge) Brendan Colley writes about the inspiration behind The Season for Flying Saucers, his artful, left-field novel for adults, for Joy in Books at Paperbark Words blog. In 2014 I was playing around with some narrative poetry, like I usually do as a warm-up before I […]
Read More The Season for Flying Saucers by Brendan ColleyThe World From Here by Cassy Polimeni, ill. Mel Armstrong CSIRO Publishing – Cassy Polimeni & Mel Armstrong write about ‘The World From Here’ for Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog – Cassy Polimeni The first glimmer of what became The World From Here came to me during a writing challenge called Storystorm. I was thinking about countries […]
Read More The World From Here by Cassy Polimeni, ill. Mel ArmstrongInterview with Tom Jellett, featuring Will Fin Win? from the ‘Your Next Read’ series & The Train at the End of My Street – Joy Lawn interviews Tom Jellett at Paperbark Words blog about Your Next Read, The Train at the End of My Street and his books and cartoons – Thank you for speaking to […]
Read More Tom Jellett & Will Fin Win, The Train at the End of My Street …Treeshape by Trace Balla Guest author post for Paperbark Words blog by author-illustrator Trace Balla about her new graphic novel Treeshape – the shape of a tree the shape of me. Published by Allen & Unwin This is a story of the trees of my life, and how they have shaped who I am. Perhaps my […]
Read More Treeshape by Trace BallaThe Boy and the Dog Tree Written by Fiona Wood Illustrated by Judy Watson Published by University of Queensland Press Interview with Fiona Wood Argos had said, ‘Quests do not always announce themselves.’ There was no dragon or treasure or lost kingdom but Mitch had discovered the world anew with Argos. Quests were […]
Read More The Boy and the Dog Tree by Fiona WoodMuttonfish Magic by Aunty Ruth Simms & Lucy Robertson ill. by Jasmine Seymour Published by Magabala Books “Muttonfish Magic honours the Kameragyl and Bidjigal people, the traditional custodians of the land around Kamay (Botany Bay) and Guriwal (La Perouse). With sensory lyricism, Bidjigal Elder Ruth Simms and Lucy Robertson depict a loving First Nations family inspired […]
Read More Muttonfish Magic by Aunty Ruth Simms & Lucy Robertson, illustrated by Jasmine Seymour
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