Inked by Karen Wasson, illustrated by Jake A Minton

Inked by Karen Wasson, illustrated Jake A Minton Published by Figment Books (Hardie Grant Publishing) “I wish I could blend in.” (Inked) Inked is a graphic novel shortlisted in the Younger Reader category of the 2026 CBCA awards. It was also the first graphic novel to be shortlisted for the Ampersand Prize for an unpublished manuscript. […]

Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles by Corey Tutt, illustrated by Ben Williams

Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles by Corey Tutt, illustrated by Ben Williams (Allen & Unwin) “For this book, I worked with the support and permission of Elders and Traditional Owners to use the First Nations names for all 68 reptiles included here. Perhaps you might like to ask the Elders, or the Aboriginal officer […]

Something Terrible: Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces by Sally Barton, illustrated by Christopher Nielsen

Something Terrible: Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces by Sally Barton ill. Christopher Nielsen (Walker Books Australia) Something Terrible: Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces by Sally Barton, illustrated by Christopher Nielsen is shortlisted for the 2026 CBCA Books of the Year: Younger Readers. Congratulations on Something Terrible: Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces being shortlisted by the CBCA, Sally, and thank you for speaking to Joy in Books at Paperbark Words […]

The Secret Landscapes by Clara Brack

The Secret Landscapes: On Not Pleasing Your Mother by Clara Bracks Upswell Publishing Clara Brack, daughter of Australian art royalty, audaciously reinvents her parents’ lives in The Secret Landscapes. In an alternate reality, her father, renowned painter John Brack (Collins St 5pm), reveals his inner thoughts to a therapist, T. Her mother, overlooked cerebral artist […]

Tiwi war kwampini: Mwarlapwara kangi tingati (Tiwi War Hero: Footprints in the Sand) by Mavis Kerinaiua

Tiwi war kwampini: Mwarlapwara kangi tingati (Tiwi War Hero: Footprints in the Sand) by Mavis Kerinaiua Tiwi War kwampini: Mwarlapwara kangi tingati (Tiwi War Hero: Footprints in the Sand) written, translated and illustrated by Mavis Kerinaiua with support from Laura Rademaker (Published by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation) Disclaimer: Please be advised that this story contains images and names of people […]

Fremantle Press 50 Years: If I Could Eat the Stars & WA Writers

Fremantle Press 50 Years If I Could Eat the Stars & WA Writers Fremantle Press is now fifty. I’m celebrating by focusing on one of their new books for children, If I Could Eat the Stars (and other poems), and highlighting some of the amazing Western Australian creators who have contributed to the anthology. So, […]

Make Them Say Poo: a gross book perfect for giggles by Stephen (Steve MinOn), illustrated by Rudi de Wet

Make Them Say Poo: a gross book perfect for giggles by Stephen (Steve MinOn), illustrated by Rudi de Wet (Affirm Press, Simon & Schuster) Make Them Say Poo: a gross book perfect for giggles is a subversively funny picture book filled with hidden surprises. It delights in trickery, wordplay and fun. Thank you for speaking to PaperbarkWords, […]

Spotlight on Jo Dabrowski Inside the CBCA Shortlist

Spotlight on Jo Dabrowski Inside the CBCA Shortlist Dear Broccoli Shortlisted 2026 CBCA Picture Book of the Year Written by Jo Dabrowski, Illustrated by Cate James (Affirm Press) The Thing About Christmas Shortlisted 2026 CBCA Early Childhood Written by Jo Dabrowski, illustrated by Briony Stewart (Little Book Press) The Making of Martha Mayfield Notable Book […]

Once I was a Giant by Zeno Sworder

Once I was a Giant by Zeno Sworder Published by Thames & Hudson Australia “At daybreak the wanderer scrambled through my branches to warn the birds and tunnelled underneath my roots to warn the insects. Before leaving they called out goodbye. ‘Sun seeker. Sky dancer. Life maker. Thank you.’” (Once I was a Giant by […]

Skipping to Sammy’s Beat by Coral Vass, ill. Blithe Fielden

Skipping to Sammy’s Beat by Coral Vass ill. Blithe Fielden New Frontier Publishing Coral Vass speaks to Paperbark Words blog about her life, career and Skipping to Sammy’s Beat, her new picture book for children aged 3-6 years. I’m Coral. I love writing for children. I also love books, chocolate, good coffee, the theatre and the beach. […]