Saskia Spark-Lee: Fundraiser Fail by Rebecka Sharpe Shelberg, ill. Sofya Karmazina

Saskia Spark-Lee: Fundraiser Fail by Rebecka Sharpe Shelberg, illustrated by Sofya Karmazina (Walker Books Australia) Saskia Spark-Lee: Fundraiser Fail by Rebecka Sharpe Shelberg and illustrated by Sofya Karmazina is shortlisted for the 2025 CBCA Book of the Year: Younger Readers. Congratulations on Saskia Spark-Lee: Fundraiser Fail being shortlisted bythe CBCA, Rebecka, and thank you for speaking to Joy in […]

Your Kid’s Next Read / Your Next Read

YOUR 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 […]

Ava Spark by Alex Field

Ava Spark: Hello, I’m Here! by Alex Field, illustrated by Joanna Bartel New Frontier Publishing Guest author post by New Frontier Director Sophia Whitfield, who writes as Alex Field about Ava Spark and the life of her much-loved son Luke for ‘Joy in Books’ at Paperbark Words Ava Spark is largely inspired by my son’s life, […]

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. […]

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 […]

Emily Rodda Interview: Landovel & other books

Emily Rodda Interview: Landovel & other books Landovel is published by Allen & Unwin 2025 CBCA Notable Books “There’s more than one way to be a hero”. (Landovel: The Truth Teller) Congratulations on Landovel, your three-book fantasy masterwork, being announced as a 2025 CBCA Notable and thank you for speaking with me, Emily. I’ve read […]

Inside The CBCA 2025 Shortlist & Winners

INSIDE THE CBCA 2025 SHORTLIST & WINNERS The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Shortlisted Books for 2025 have been announced. 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 creators who […]

Hazel’s Treehouse by Zanni Louise, illustrated by Judy Watson

Hazel’s Treehouse by Zanni Louise & illustrated by Judy Watson Walker Books (Australia) “‘What’s today?’ asks Odette, sitting up stretching. ‘Sunday,’ says Hazel with a yawn. Poky lies on her chest. This morning, Poky is the colour of mandarins and sunsets. It’s a warm and snuggly colour for an echidna.” (Hazel’s Treehouse) The pairing of […]

Taronga Presents by Kristin Darell

Taronga Presents by Kristin Darell, ill. Laura Wood Published by Penguin Random House Australia Kristin Darell is a treasure in the Australian children’s literature space. As well as being a relatively new author of two series: Taronga Presents (for readers aged 7 and up) and Football Fever, she is the Program Manager for the Australian […]

The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage by Charlie Archbold

The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage by Charlie Archbold Author Interview at PaperbarkWords “Now, if us Sugarcane Kids know anything from our adventures it is that mysteries are layered like fat sandwiches. And when Dad drops me at the golf course, something tells me I’m about to get a big dose of salad filling.” […]