5 Writers 5 Minutes

5 Writers 5 Minutes Guest author post by Lian Tanner on behalf of the Ubers, the Uber-Talented Crit Group for Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog Lian Tanner writes Two years ago, in the middle of the Covid lockdowns, I received an intriguing email from author Deborah Abela. ‘I’ve wanted to be in a critique […]

The Raven’s Song by Zana Fraillon & Bren MacDibble

The Raven’s Song by Zana Fraillon & Bren MacDibble Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2023 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2023 Notable Books The Raven’s Song by Zana Fraillon & Bren MacDibble (published by Allen & Unwin) The Raven’s Song is shortlisted and is an Honour Book in the CBCA 2023 Book of the Year […]

Last-Place Lin by Wai Chim, illustrated by Freda Chiu

Last-Place Lin by Wai Chim, illustrated by Freda Chiu Published by Allen & Unwin “Last-Place Lin. Last-Place Lin. Last-Place Lin. At first, I say the words in my head, then I chant them. My feet match the rhythm.” (Last-Place Lin) Author Interview with Wai Chim Thank you for speaking about Last-Place Lin with Joy in […]

Hello Twigs by Andrew McDonald & Ben Wood

Hello Twigs by Andrew McDonald & Ben Wood “Nature stuff is TREASURE!” (Hello Twigs: Let’s Find Treasure) The new Hello Twigs series of lively, humorous graphic novels for children has great appeal because of its familiar and yet unpredictable stories based around four friends (the familiar) who are twigs (the unexpected) who all have an […]

Completely Normal (and Other Lies) by Biffy James

Completely Normal (and Other Lies) by Biffy James (published Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing) Completely Normal (and Other Lies) is shortlisted in the CBCA 2023 Book of the Year Older Readers category. Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2023 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2023 Notable Books “The jealousy I felt was familiar and comforting, so I […]

NIGHT LIGHTS by Sarah Epstein

NIGHT LIGHTS by Sarah Epstein Sarah Epstein is the awarded author of YA thrillers Small Spaces, Deep Water and now Night Lights. *********** Night Lights is another gripping read and is shortlisted in the 2023 Davitt Sisters in Crime awards. It is also a finalist in the Aurealis awards. Thank you for speaking to Joy […]

Honey and the Valley of Horses by Wendy Orr

Honey and the Valley of Horses by Wendy Orr (published by Allen & Unwin) Wendy is the acclaimed author of many books for different age-groups throughout childhood to young adult. Personal favourites are her Ancient Crete trilogy: Dragonfly Song (winner of a Prime Minister’s Literary Award – of which I was a judge!), Swallow’s Dance […]

My Giant Sea Shell by Amanda Lieber, ill. Kathy Creamer

My Giant Sea Shell by Amanda Lieber, ill. Kathy Creamer (published by Little Pink Dog Books) Guest Author Profile by Amanda Lieber Thanks for speaking to Joy in Books at Paperbark Words blog about your debut picture book, My Giant Sea Shell, Amanda. What was your relationship with books as a child and please tell […]

Dirt by Sea by Michael Wagner, illustrated by Tom Jellett

Dirt by Sea by Michael Wagner, illustrated by Tom Jellett (published by Penguin Random House Australia) Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2023 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2023 Notable Books Dirt by Sea by Michael Wagner, illustrated by Tom Jellett (Puffin Books, Penguin Random House) Author Interview with Michael Wagner Dirt by Sea by Michael […]

Easy Peasy by Ky Garvey, ill Amy Calautti

Easy Peasy by Ky Garvey, ill Amy Calautti Ky Garvey, author of the picture book Easy Peasy talks to Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords Your debut picture book, Easy Peasy, is a fun and engaging story about a little girl who perseveres to learn to roller skate, both independently and with the help of her patient father. […]