Three by Stephen Michael King

Inside the CBCA Shortlist “One … two … three. One … two … three. Every day was a skip and a hop for Three.” Three by Stephen Michael King (Scholastic Australia) is a beautifully moving, heart-warming story about gratitude. It is perfectly told for young children – and those who share books with them. It […]

Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall

Inside the CBCA Shortlist “On the highest rock of a tiny island at the edge of the world stands a lighthouse. It is built to last forever, Sending its light out to sea.” Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall (Hachette Australia) is shortlisted for the 2020 CBCA Picture Book of the Year Award. This picture book […]

The Boy Who Steals Houses by C.G. Drews

Inside the CBCA Shortlist “I had nowhere to go, he wants to say. I’m the boy of nothing and nowhere. I’m invisible and forgotten, a thief of dust and cobwebs and house keys.” (The Boy Who Steals Houses) The Boy Who Steals House by C.G. Drews (Orchard Books/Hachette Australia) has been nominated for the prestigious […]

Bethany Macdonald’s illustrations in ‘Paperboy’

Inside the CBCA Shortlist Paperboy, illustrated by Bethany Macdonald, written by Danny Parker and published by Dirt Lane Press is shortlisted for the 2020 CBCA Awards for New Illustrator. This award aims to recognise and encourage emerging Australian book illustrators. The illustrations in Paperboy are emotionally sensitive and beautiful. They showcase an original style and […]

The Thing About Oliver by Deborah Kelly

Inside the CBCA Shortlist “This new life doesn’t really feel like it fits.” The Thing About Oliver by Deborah Kelly (Wombat Books) is shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council of Australia in the Book of the Year: Younger Readers category. The Thing About Oliver is an appealing, although heart-wrenching, story for children told through the […]

My Friend Fred by Frances Watts, illustrated by A. Yi

Inside the CBCA Shortlist My Friend Fred by much loved and awarded author Frances Watts, illustrated by A. Yi (published by Allen & Unwin) is ideal for both cat and dog lovers. Even though they are very different from each other, the cat and dog in this tale can still be friends. The story is […]

The Secrets of Magnolia Moon by Edwina Wyatt

Inside the CBCA Shortlist The Secrets of Magnolia Moon by Edwina Wyatt, illustrated by Katherine Quinn (Walker Books Australia) is shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council of Australia in the Book of the Year: Younger Readers category. The Secrets of Magnolia Moon is an appealing story about Magnolia Moon told in lyrical, engaging writing. Congratulations […]

Lisa Kennedy’s Artwork in Wilam: A Birrarung Story

Inside the CBCA Shortlist Wilam: A Birrarung Story is shortlisted for the 2020 CBCA Eve Pownall Award. In this review, I will focus on the illustrations by Lisa Kennedy. The illustrations in Wilam: A Birrarung Story (written by Aunty Joy Murphy & Andrew Kelly, published by Black Dog Books, Walker Books Australia) are by emerging […]

CBCA Book Week 2020

Inside the CBCA Shortlist Traditionally held in August, the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book Week will be held in October 17-23 in 2020. Congratulations to the winners – now announced – and to all the shortlisted authors and illustrators. The CBCA awards are prestigious and influential and now is a great time to have […]

Searching For Cicadas by Lesley Gibbes, illustrated by Judy Watson

Inside the CBCA Shortlist Searching For Cicadas by Lesley Gibbes, illustrated by Judy Watson (Walker Books Australia) is a superb picture book about cicadas in Australia. It is told from the viewpoint of a boy camping with his Grandpa while they look for cicadas. This book is an adventure! Congratulations on your CBCA shortlisting, Lesley […]