Saskia Spark-Lee: Fundraiser Fail by Rebecka Sharpe Shelberg, ill. Sofya Karmazina

Saskia Spark-Lee: Fundraiser Fail by Rebecka Sharpe Shelberg, illustrated by Sofya Karmazina (Walker Books Australia) Saskia Spark-Lee: Fundraiser Fail by Rebecka Sharpe Shelberg and illustrated by Sofya Karmazina is shortlisted for the 2025 CBCA Book of the Year: Younger Readers. Congratulations on Saskia Spark-Lee: Fundraiser Fail being shortlisted bythe CBCA, Rebecka, and thank you for speaking to Joy in […]

The Disappearing Circus by Kate Gordon and Helen Edwards

The Disappearing Circus by Kate Gordon and Helen Edwards Published by Riveted Press Congratulation on your new book and thank you for speaking to Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog, Helen. Author Interview: Helen Edwards Being the Hero of Your Own Story by Helen Edwards When Kate Gordon and I became friends online some years […]

The Enchantment of Golden Eagle by Margaret Wild & Stephen Michael King

The Enchantment of Golden Eagle by Margaret Wild & Stephen Michael King Allen & Unwin Interview with Margaret Wild about The Enchantment of Golden Eagle Thank you for speaking with Paperbark Words, Margaret. Your career in children’s books is highly illustrious and it is a career that continues to exceed expectations. You have stepped out bravely and […]

This Bird by Astred Hicks

This Bird: Noticing Our Urban Birds by Astred Hicks, with Holly Parsons CSIRO Publishing Guest author post by author-illustrator and freelance book designer extraordinaire Astred Hicks about her new book This Bird for ‘Joy in Books’ at Paperbark Words Astred Hicks & This Bird Underneath its jacket, This Bird is a love letter to my family […]

Your Kid’s Next Read / Your Next Read

YOUR KID’S NEXT READ & YOUR NEXT READ YOUR KID’S NEXT READ (YKNR) ANNOUNCE NEW JUNIOR FICTION SERIES AIMED TO KEEP KIDS READING – AND LOVING IT – FOR LIFE! “YKNR: a community, a podcast and a newsletter all aimed at growing readers and writers” Interview with the YKNR team: Megan Daley (award-winning teacher-librarian and […]

TO and FRO by Anton Clifford-Motopi

TO and FRO by Anton Clifford-Motopi Allen & Unwin To and Fro by Anton Clifford-Motopi is shortlisted for the 2025 CBCA Book of the Year: Younger Readers. Congratulations on To and Fro being shortlisted by the CBCA, Anton. I was laughing out loud most of the way through. It also has important themes that you share aptly and originally. […]

Ava Spark by Alex Field

Ava Spark: Hello, I’m Here! by Alex Field, illustrated by Joanna Bartel New Frontier Publishing Guest author post by New Frontier Director Sophia Whitfield, who writes as Alex Field about Ava Spark and the life of her much-loved son Luke for ‘Joy in Books’ at Paperbark Words Ava Spark is largely inspired by my son’s life, […]

Tigg and the Bandicoot Bushranger by Jackie French

Tigg and the Bandicoot Bushranger by Jackie French (HarperCollins AU) “It wasn’t easy being the smallest bushranger on the goldfields. It was worsewhen your borrowed horse ate your wig.” (Tigg and the Bandicoot Bushranger ) Tigg and the Bandicoot Bushranger by Jackie French is shortlisted for the 2025CBCA Book of the Year: Younger Readers. Tigg and the […]

One Little Dung Beetle by Rhiân Williams, ill. Heather Potter & Mark Jackson

One Little Dung Beetle by Rhiân Williams, illustrated by Heather Potter & Mark Jackson (Wild Dog Books) One Little Dung Beetle, written by Rhiân Williams and illustrated by Heather Potter & Mark Jackson, is shortlisted for the 2025 CBCA Book of the Year: Early Childhood. Congratulations on One Little Dung Beetle being shortlisted by the CBCA, Rhiân, and thank […]

Golden by Jade Timms

Golden by Jade Timms Text Publishing Golden, Jade Timms’ debut YA novel, was shortlisted for the Text Prize. Her writing reminds me of the contemporary fiction of Melissa Keil, Cath Crowley and Claire Zorn. Protagonist Eddie’s voice grabs the reader. Jade’s piece for PaperbarkWords below is honest and appealing. It will whet your appetite to […]