Dingoes Up Close by Jane Forge

Dingoes Up Close by Jane Forge (Wild Dog Books) Guest author post by Jane Forge about Dingoes Up Close for Joy in Books at Paperbark Words blog I think my first ‘encounter’ with dingoes came in the form of Dick Roughsey’s picture book, The Giant Devil-Dingo. I found that story quite scary at the time, but it ended happily with the […]

Read More Dingoes Up Close by Jane Forge

Of Flame and Fury by Mikayla Bridge 

Of Flame and Fury by Mikayla Bridge  INSIDE THE CBCA 2026 SHORTLIST  (Macmillan Australia) “Though she’d loved those stories, they weren’t the real reason she’d latched on to Savita – at least, not in in recent years. Something about Savita’s immortality made Kel feel safe in a way that nothing else could. No matter what […]

Read More Of Flame and Fury by Mikayla Bridge 

Castle Crashing by Andrea Rowe & Hannah Sommerville

Castle Crashing written by Andrea Rowe, illustrated by Hannah Sommerville Published by Hardie Grant Andrea Rowe speaks to Paperbark Words blog about Castle Crashing, her exquisite quintessential Australian beach holiday picture book, illustrated by Hannah Sommerville. Castle Crashing is a 2026 Notable Book. My inspiration I have vivid memories of making sandcastles on one of […]

Read More Castle Crashing by Andrea Rowe & Hannah Sommerville

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 […]

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

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 […]

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