All the Ways to Pray by Kathleen Kelly & Anne Ryan

All the Ways to Pray by Kathleen Kelly illustrated by Anne Ryan Wild Dog Books Guest author and illustrator post at PaperbarkWords blog by Kathleen Kelly and Anne Ryan The Inspiration Kathleen: The inspiration for All the Ways to Pray was really all the things that are happening in the world right now. It is […]

Music Camp by Penny Tangey

Music Camp by Penny Tangey UQP Guest author post by Penny Tangey for ‘Joy in Books’ at Paperbark Words In Grade 5 I attended an interschool music camp and had the time of my life. I made new friends, laughed, broke rules and played music. Later, I went to other music camps and had intense, […]

Somewhere Lost Anthology

Somewhere Lost Published by Just Write for Kids Q & A with Contributor Carla Hoffenberg for Paperbark Words with Joy Lawn Your recent story is part of a collaborative picture book project through Just Write For Kids – the hardcover anthology Somewhere Lost. Your piece, ‘Lost Sockville’, is included in the book as well as […]

GUS GORDON: Into the Bewilderness & picture books

GUS GORDON: Into the Bewilderness & picture books Author-illustrator Interview with Gus Gordon, featuring Into the Bewilderness, at PaperbarkWords “Is there more to this life? … Maybe we’re missing out on something here in the woods? What if there’s something else out there? Beyond the trees. Beyond the horizon, where the sun goes down into the […]

Into the Mouth of the Wolf by Erin Gough

Into the Mouth of the Wolf by Erin Gough (Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing) Into the Mouth of the Wolf written by Erin Gough is shortlisted for the 2025 CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers. Congratulations on Into the Mouth of the Wolf being shortlisted by the CBCA, Erin, and thank you for speaking to Joy in Books at Paperbark Words blog. Author […]

I am a Magpie, I am a Currawong by Bridget Farmer

I am a Magpie, I am a Currawong by Bridget Farmer (Black Cockatoo Books) I am a Magpie, I am a Currawong, written and illustrated by Bridget Farmer, is shortlisted for the 2025 CBCA Book of the Year: Eve Pownall Award. Congratulations on I am a Magpie, I am a Currawong being shortlisted by the CBCA, […]

Aggie Flea Steals the Show by Tania Ingram & A.Yi

Aggie Flea Steals the Show by Tania Ingram, ill. A.Yi (Scholastic Australia) “Or maybe my brain just made them up. My brain sometimes does stuff like that. Mum says I have a big imagination like Dad. Sometimes my big imagination gets me into trouble, though. Like the time I thought my new neighbour was a vampire. […]

A Wreck of Seabirds by Karleah Olson

A Wreck of Seabirds by Karleah Olson A Wreck of Seabirds by Karleah Olson is shortlisted for the 2025 CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers. Congratulations on A Wreck of Seabirds being shortlisted by the CBCA, Karleah. It’s the best YA novel I’ve read in ages. And thank you for speaking to Joy in Books at Paperbark Words blog. Author Interview: […]

Fluff: Mess Up! by Matt Stanton

Fluff: Mess Up! by Matt Stanton (ABC Books) “ ‘Hello? Is this Organised Grime?’ Fluff says into the phone. ‘I’m looking for someone to clean our caravan. Yes, it’s urgent. There’s been an accidental food fight and … well, we have a fish with a poop problem.’ ” (Fluff: Mess Up!) Fluff: Mess Up! by Matt […]

How to Move a Zoo by Kate Simpson, illustrated by Owen Swan

How to Move a Zoo Written by Kate Simpson illustrated by Owen Swan Allen & Unwin “If the neighbours had known there was an elephant on their street, they’d have been hanging out of every window. But Jessie was silent on her soft feet. She didn’t wake them.” (How to Move a Zoo) How to […]