Storm by Claire Saxby and Jess Racklyeft (Allen & Unwin) Author piece about Storm from Claire Saxby for Joy in Books at Paperbark Words blog Jess and I have been lucky enough to work on several books together with the fabulous A&U publishing team. Trusting that Jess will find the spaces between my words and […]
Read More Storm by Claire Saxby and Jess RacklyeftCastle Crashing written by Andrea Rowe, illustrated by Hannah Sommerville Published by Hardie Grant Andrea Rowe speaks to Paperbark Words blog about Castle Crashing, her exquisite quintessential Australian beach holiday picture book, illustrated by Hannah Sommerville. Castle Crashing is a 2026 Notable Book. My inspiration I have vivid memories of making sandcastles on one of […]
Read More Castle Crashing by Andrea Rowe & Hannah SommervilleMyra in the Middle by Seetha Dodd, illustrated by Peter Cheong Published by UQP Seetha Dodd writes a guest author post about her impressive debut children’s novel, Myra in the Middle for ‘Joy in Books’ at Paperbark Words. When my sister was born, I was exactly three years and eleven months old. I had been […]
Read More Myra in the Middle by Seetha DoddINSIDE THE CBCA 2026 SHORTLIST The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Shortlisted Books for 2026 have been announced from the Notables list. Follow the links to those books I have already reviewed, or interviewed the author or illustrator, at PaperbarkWords blog. I will add to this list until the winners are announced in August. Congratulations to those […]
Read More Inside the 2026 CBCA ShortlistThe Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Notable Books for 2026 have been announced. Follow the links to those books I have already reviewed or interviewed the author or illustrator at PaperbarkWords blog. NB Once the shortlist is announced, I will add reviews and interviews on the Inside the 2026 Shortlist page on the blog until the winners are […]
Read More Inside the 2026 CBCA Notable BooksTIWI IN PARIS by Glen Farmer Illortaminni Thames & Hudson TIWI IN PARIS by Glen Farmer Illortaminni, a story of resilience, humour and home “I needed to get back to my Country and back to my family. I prayed for my angel to take me home. My middle name is Gabriel so I knew that […]
Read More TIWI IN PARIS by Glen Farmer IllortaminniThe Adventures of Pongo & Stink by Lisa Nicol, illustrated by Karen Blair (Penguin) Thanks to the inimitable Lisa Nicol who has written the funny, honest and beautifully composed origin story of her new junior fiction novel, The Adventures of Pongo and Stink for Joy in Books at Paperbark Words blog. The Adventures of Pongo […]
Read More The Adventures of Pongo & Stink by Lisa Nicol & Karen BlairWhen the Mountain Wakes by Matt Shanks Affirm Press, Simon & Schuster “Somewhere, towards the beginning of time … a mountain rose from the ocean and came to rest above the clouds. Life sang a lullaby, and the mountain slept for many millions of years. Until one day … ” (When the Mountain Wakes) When […]
Read More When the Mountain Wakes by Matt ShanksGodaku Tjukurpa Tjitji Tjutangku Nyakula Kulintjaku Various contributors Interview about Godaku Tjukurpa with Louise Sherman, head of the Australian Languages Team (ALT), Bible Society Australia Thanks to speaking to ‘Joy in Books’ at Paperbark Words blog about Godaku Tjukurpa, Louise. Congratulations on the publication of this beautiful and important children’s book and for its shortlisting […]
Read More Godaku TjukurpaYOUR 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 […]
Read More Your Kid’s Next Read / Your Next Read
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