Bancks’ Ginger Meggs by Tristan Bancks & Jason Chatfield

Bancks’ Ginger Meggs is a quality hard-cover publication written by Tristan Bancks and illustrated by Jason Chatfield (published by Puffin Books) to celebrate 100 years of the iconic Australian and internationally loved comic strip character Ginger Meggs. Readers will be caught up in the fast-paced, funny adventures of billycart racing and Father’s Day camping shenanigans; […]

Carole Wilkinson, Earth Matters and Matthew Flinders

Inside the CBCA Shortlist Matthew Flinders: Adventures on leaky ships “It’s not too late. Together we can save our climate … The state of our planet matters. You can help make it a safe and healthy place for us.” (Earth Matters) Carole Wilkinson is one of Australia’s most popular and enduring writers for young people. […]

Inside the 2021 CBCA Shortlist Books

The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Shortlisted Books for 2021 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 been shortlisted. Sincere commiserations […]

The Golden Tower by Belinda Murrell

Belinda Murrell is the author of highly popular children’s series fiction and historical and time-slip novels. Her series include ‘Pippa’s Island’, ‘Lulu Bell’, ‘The Sun Sword’ trilogy and ‘The Timeslip’ series. Her books are warm and rich with appealing characters and entrancing storylines. Thank you for speaking to PaperbarkWords, Belinda. I was captivated by your […]

Cuckoo’s Flight by Wendy Orr

Cuckoo’s Flight (Allen & Unwin) is the third in Wendy Orr’s lauded novels for young people set in Ancient Crete. Thank you for speaking to PaperbarkWords, Wendy. The creation of your three companion novels Dragonfly Song, Swallow’s Dance and Cuckoo’s Flight is a truly remarkable achievement. Did you always intend to write more than one […]

Inside the 2021 CBCA Notable Books

The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Notable Books for 2021 have been announced. Follow the links to those books I have already reviewed or interviewed the author or illustrator about on the blog. I will add to this list until the winners are announced in August. See CBCA Shortlist post Congratulations to those creators […]

The Forest of Moon and Sword by Amy Raphael

“I am your mother and I want to make your life less painful in any way I can. Your journey will ebb and flow, like a river searching for the sea. You will not, I know, be dragged under. Like any journey, it will begin with the first step. You will meet your guides along […]

Our Place: Respect & Family

Picture Books from Magabala Books The ‘Our Place’ picture book series is a set of beautifully written and illustrated books that share and explain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture to young children. Two of the four books have now been published. Respect by Aunty Fay Muir & Sue Lawson, illustrated by Lisa Kennedy “Our […]

Of Boys and Boats by Ian Trevaskis

I was first aware of Ian Trevaskis’s writing through his picture book Edge of the World (illustrated by Wayne Harris). This is a superb work. Ian’s new novel for young people, Of Boys and Boats (Ford St) is a very special book based on the author’s own early years in Geelong. Set in 1956 during […]

Where Snow Angels Go by Maggie O’Farrell

Where Snow Angels Go by Maggie O’Farrell, illustrated by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini Where Snow Angels Go is a sumptuous Christmas gift book by Maggie O’Farrell, Edinburgh-based author of the acclaimed novel for adults, Hamnet, a tale of William Shakespeare’s son. Where Snow Angels Go is an illustrated work in picture book form. It is an […]