Gabrielle Wang, Australian Children’s Laureate

Gabrielle Wang, Australian Children’s Laureate “A winged beast had lifted him high in the air. Everything was tiny – the people, the houses, even the mountains. He found a dream trail and followed it in. Now he was looking down upon a golden pavilion floating on a bed of mist.” (The Hidden Monastery) Gabrielle Wang […]

Pearly and Pig and the Great Hairy Beast by Sue Whiting

Much-loved and prolific author, Sue Whiting tells PaperbarkWords about her new children’s novel Pearly and Pig and the Great Hairy Beast (published by Walker Books Australia). Sue writes about Pearly and Pig and the Great Hairy Beast: Pearly and Pig and the Great Hairy Beast is a page-turning adventure story set in Antarctica that blends […]

The Magic of Magnolia Moon by Edwina Wyatt

Edwina Wyatt writes as beautifully and with as much care for PaperbarkWords about her new children’s novel, The Magic of Magnolia Moon, as she does in her books. The Magnolia Moon trilogy (Walker Books Australia) is shaping up to be an exquisite and important body of work for children. Edwina Wyatt writes about The Magic […]

Wishyouwas by Alexandra Page

Wishyouwas: the tiny guardian of lost letters by Alexandra Page, illustrated by Penny Neville-Lee “The Sorters live in the tunnels and rescue lost letters. They’re in terrible danger. You have to save them.” (Wishyouwas) Wishyouwas is a lovely novel for children that conjures Christmas in 1950s snowy London. It is a charming, adventurous story written […]

Sharing by Aunty Fay Muir & Sue Lawson, illustrated by Leanne Mulgo Watson

Author Interview “Take only what you need, no more, no less.” (Sharing) Sharing (Magabala Books) is the third book in the profound and contemplative Our Place series for young children. It is written by Aunty Fay Muir and Sue Lawson and illustrated by Leanne Mulgo Watson. Thank you for speaking to PaperbarkWords, Aunty Fay and […]

Stories for Little Queenslanders

‘Stories for Little Queenslanders’ introduced by Kathryn Apel As one of the contributing authors of the ‘Stories for Little Queenslanders’ picture book series, Kathryn Apel – who wrote Up and Down on a Rainy Day in the series – introduces these books. Kat is particularly well-known for her popular verse novels Bully on the Bus, […]

Bella and the Voyaging House by Meg McKinlay

“ ‘Like’ was too small a word for how she felt about her little room, her special window, the wooden walls with Grandma’s name in looping letters.” (Bella and the Voyaging House) Meg McKinlay is one of Australia’s finest writers for young people. Her books span ages and genres. They invariably blend an engaging story […]

INTRODUCING D’LILA LARUE

Introducing D’Lila LaRue by Nette Hilton and illustrated by A. Yi, published by Walker Books Australia The wonderful Nette Hilton has sent this message about her new book for 5-8 year-olds. My newest book is called ‘Introducing D’Lila LaRue’ and I thought, as I discovered her one day when I was on a book idea […]

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 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 […]