Iceberg by Claire Saxby, illustrated by Jess Racklyeft

Iceberg by Claire Saxby, illustrated by Jess Racklyeft Inside the CBCA Shortlist Author & Illustrator Interview Inside the 2022 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Notable Books “In the pale morning an iceberg calves – shears from a glacier and plunges to the ocean in a haze of sparkle-frost. The iceberg is flat-topped, sharp and […]

Walking in Gagudju Country by Diane Lucas & Ben Tyler, illustrated by Emma Long

Walking in Gagudju Country by Diane Lucas & Ben Tyler, illustrated by Emma Long Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Notable Books Walking in Gagudju Country: Exploring the Monsoon Forest Walking in Gagudju Country is an informed and warm invitation to walk into Gagadju (Kakadu). The authors, Diane […]

The Detective’s Guide to Ocean Travel by Nicki Greenberg

The Detective’s Guide to Ocean Travel by Nicki Greenberg Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Notable Books Author Interview “She slunk off to the library. The room was deserted, as it had been every time she had looked in. She wandered listlessly among the armchairs and sofas and […]

Florence & Fox by Zanni Louise, illustrated by Anna Pignataro

Florence & Fox by Zanni Louise, illustrated by Anna Pignataro Inside the 2022 CBCA Notable Books Author & Illustrator Interview Congratulations on your picture book Florence & Fox (Walker Books Australia) being recognised as a Notable Book in the 2022 CBCA Early Childhood category, Zanni and Anna. Thank you both for speaking to Joy in […]

Walk of the Whales by Nick Bland

Walk of the Whales by Nick Bland Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Notable Books Book Review by Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog Nick Bland is very well known and loved for his picture books, The Very Cranky Bear and sequels, The Wrong Book, The Runaway Hug […]

When the Waterhole Dries Up by Kaye Baillie, illustrated by Max Hamilton

When the Waterhole Dries Up by Kaye Baillie, illustrated by Max Hamilton Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Notable Books Author & Illustrator Interview When the Waterhole Dries Up by Kaye Baillie, illustrated by Max Hamilton (Windy Hollow Books) is a cumulative, riotous tale about a small dusty […]

Heroes, Rebels and Innovators by Karen Wyld, illustrated by Jaelyn Biumaiwai

Heroes, Rebels and Innovators: Inspiring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People from History by Karen Wyld, illustrated by Jaelyn Biumaiwai Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Notable Books Book review and ideas on how to use Heroes, Rebels and Innovators by Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog Heroes, Rebels and Innovators (Lothian Children’s Books) […]

The First Scientists by Corey Tutt, illustrated Blak Douglas

The First Scientists by Corey Tutt, illustrated by Blak Douglas is shortlisted in the 2022 CBCA awards in the Eve Pownall non-fiction category. Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Notable Books Book Review by Joy Lawn (first published in Magpies magazine and reproduced with permission) Opening with an […]

Stellarphant by James Foley

Stellarphant by James Foley Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Notable Books “So Stella gathered her friends … and together they studied and strengthened, and practiced and prepared … until finally, they were all ready.” (Stellarphant) James Foley puts so much care, generosity, intelligence and talent into his […]

Inside the 2022 CBCA Shortlist

Inside the CBCA Shortlist The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Shortlisted Books for 2022 has been announced. Follow the links to those I have already reviewed or interviewed the author or illustrator on the blog. I will add to this list until the winners are announced in August. Congratulations to those creators who have […]