The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage by Charlie Archbold

The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage by Charlie Archbold Author Interview at PaperbarkWords “Now, if us Sugarcane Kids know anything from our adventures it is that mysteries are layered like fat sandwiches. And when Dad drops me at the golf course, something tells me I’m about to get a big dose of salad filling.” […]

A Wish for Baby by Caz Goodwin & Sara Acton

A Wish for Baby by Caz Goodwin & Sara Acton “I wish for you, dear little one, enchanting dreams each night. And days that bring surprises, full of wonder and delight.” (A Wish for Baby) (A Wish for Baby is published by Affirm Press) A Wish for Baby is an exquisite picture book for babies. […]

Inside the CBCA 2024 Winners

Inside the CBCA 2024 Winners As I have done every year for almost thirty years now, this year I’m again actively, and in depth where possible, writing about and promoting the CBCA Shortlist and Winners. Inside the 2024 CBCA Shortlist 2024 CBCA Winners & Honour Books CBCA Winner, Honour & Shadow Judging announcement The winners […]

Gymnastica Fantastica! by Briony Stewart

Gymnastica Fantastica! by Briony Stewart (Lothian Children’s Books, Hachette Australia) Gymnastica Fantastica! by Briony Stewart is the popular WINNER of the CBCA 2024 Book of the Year: Early Childhood category. “See, I’m okay! It’s my own special way, That’s how I do it – I do it all day!” (Gymnastica Fantastica!) Author/Illustrator Interview: Briony Stewart Congratulations on Gymnastica Fantastica! being […]

Grace Notes by Karen Comer

Grace Notes by Karen Comer (Lothian Children’s Books, Hachette Australia) Grace Notes by Karen Comer is the outstanding WINNER of the CBCA 2024 Book of the Year: Older Readers category. “This song has a grace note, a tiny note that’s there for embellishment but can easily be ignored, not played. Tonight, I add it in […]

Bear and Duck are Friends by Sue deGennaro

Bear and Duck are Friends by Sue deGennaro (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 Bear and Duck are Friends is an HONOUR BOOK in the CBCA 2024 Book of the Year Early Childhood category. “Duck loved trying […]

Always Was, Always Will Be by Aunty Fay Muir & Sue Lawson

Always Was, Always Will Be by Aunty Fay Muir & Sue Lawson Published by Magabala Books Guest Author post about Always Was, Always Will Be by Sue Lawson for Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog Always Was, Always Will Be has been a long time coming. Aunty Fay and I first started writing the […]

Rock Dogs by Sally Barns & Anil Tortop

Rock Dogs by Sally Barns & Anil Tortop Published by Affirm Press Guest author post about Rock Dogs by Sally Barns for Joy in Books at Paperbark Words blog As much as I would love to be able to tell you that the idea for this story came from somewhere meaningful, I can’t. It wasn’t inspired by a personal story of […]

Digger Digs Down by Johanna Bell, illustrated by Huni Melissa Bolliger

Digger Digs Down by Johanna Bell, illustrated by Huni Melissa Bolliger (Published by University of Queensland Press) “Digger digs deep, deep into the ground. Down down down goes Digger until …” (Digger Digs Down) Digger Digs Down is an exceptional picture book. Both the deceptively simple written text and the sumptuous illustrations work together to […]

Imagine a Time by Penny Harrison & Jennifer Goldsmith

Imagine a Time by Penny Harrison & Jennifer Goldsmith “Imagine a time when all the world STOPS, when all of the clocks no longer TICK-TOCK. And all of the maps are starting to fade, as the need to be somewhere drifts far away.” (Imagine a Time) (Imagine a Time is published by New Frontier Publishing) […]