Pet Sitters by Ella Shine

Pet Sitters series by Ella Shine Guest author post by Ella Shine, Cecily Paterson on behalf of herself and co-author Penny Reeve for Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog The magic of writing together Our collaborative writing story began when my friend, writer Penny Reeve, and I decided to make a foray into writing a […]

The Postman’s My Mate by Kelly Louise Jarris, ill. Natalie Herington

The Postman’s My Mate by Kelly Louise Jarris, ill. Natalie Herington Guest author post for Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog with Kelly Louise Jarris A mysterious box arrives from the postman the day before Charlie’s birthday. He can only imagine what’s inside! Thank you for speaking with PaperbarkWords blog, Kelly. What is the essence […]

Interview with Patricia Mullins, Iconic picture book creator

Interview with Patricia Mullins iconic picture book creator I interviewed Patricia Mullins about her picture books for Magpies magazine earlier in 2024: Carousels, Conservation & Collage: Patricia Mullins “Patricia Mullins is an iconic Australian children’s book illustrator of classics such as Hattie and the Fox and Shoes from Grandpa (written by Mem Fox), The Magic […]

Scout and the Rescue Dogs by Dianne Wolfer ill. Tony Flowers

Scout and the Rescue Dogs by Dianne Wolferill. Tony Flowers (Walker Books Australia) Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2024 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2024 Notable Books Scout and the Rescue Dogs is shortlisted in the CBCA 2024 Book of the Year Younger Readers category. Congratulations on having yet another of your books CBCA shortlisted, Dianne […]

That Bird Has Arms by Kate Temple & Jol Temple, ill. Niharika Hukku & Ronojoy Ghosh

That Bird Has Arms by Kate Temple & Jol Temple, illustrated by Niharika Hukku & Ronojoy Ghosh (published by Little Hare, an imprint of Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing) Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2024 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2024 Notable Books Kate and Jol Temple have made a remarkable impact on the children’s book world. Their […]

Lights Out, Little Dragon! by Debra Tidball & Rae Tan

Lights Out, Little Dragon! by Debra Tidball & Rae Tan (published HarperCollins Australia) Debra Tidball is a children’s author of award-winning picture books. The Scared Book won the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award for Australia and New Zealand, and is a CBCA Notable Book. When I See Grandma won the Caleb Award and both books have been shortlisted for the […]

This is My Book by Tim Harris & Heidi McKinnon

This is My Book by Tim Harris & Heidi McKinnon Published by Penguin Random House Tim Harris is one of the best of the many good guys of Australian children’s literature. He is well known and loved for his series fiction that spans Mr Bambuckle’s Remarkables, Exploding Endings, Toffle Towers and Ratbags. His first picture […]

BIRDY by Sharon Kernot

BIRDY by SHARON KERNOT (Text Publishing) Sharon Kernot has now written and published two high quality YA verse novels. 2018’s The Art of Taxidermy is multi-awarded (see link at the end of this piece to my notes about it on the blog) and her new book, Birdy, shares some of the first novel’s distinctive thematic […]

INSIDE THE CBCA 2024 SHORTLIST

INSIDE THE CBCA 2024 SHORTLIST The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Shortlisted Books for 2024 have been announced. 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. Also see the 2024 NOTABLE BOOKS at […]

Cora Seen and Heard by Zanni Louise

Cora Seen and Heard by Zanni Louise (Published by Walker Books Australia) Zanni Louise is a beautiful writer and, true to form, has written a beautiful piece here about putting herself into the story. Guest author post by Zanni Louise about her new children’s middle fiction novel, Cora Seen and Heard, for Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog Putting Yourself in […]