Hometown by Shaun Tan

Hometown written & illustrated by Shaun Tan (Allen & Unwin) “Feel with your head and think with your heart” (Hometown) Hometown is Shaun Tan’s exemplary new picture book/graphic novel. Interview with Shaun Tan, creator of Hometown Thank you for speaking with Paperbark Words, Shaun. Thanks! Grateful for the opportunity. How is Hometown a book for […]

Terrible Tails: The Last Sipper by Adin Milo

Terrible Tails: The Last Sipper written & illustrated by Adin Milo (Berbay Publishing) “Nestled in a valley of mountains and surrounded by forests, the Terrible Tail Tavern sits along Old King’s Road … in the kingdom of Austerra.” (Terrible Tails: The Last Sipper) The Last Sipper is the first book in Adin Milo’s ‘Terrible Tails’ […]

The Extraordinarily Wonderful Cassandra Golds

The Extraordinarily Wonderful Cassandra Golds: Life, Love and Books Cassandra shares her life, love and books with Joy in Books at Paperbark Words blog The story of my books is really the story of my life—or at least, the story of my inner life. And that’s why my books are about brave mice and romantic […]

The Thylacine and the Time Machine by Renée Treml

The Thylacine and the Time Machine by Renée Treml The Thylacine and the Time Machine: a wild ride through the past and possible future of the Tasmanian Tiger written and illustrated by Renée Treml (Allen & Unwin) The Thylacine and the Time Machine is a graphic novel shortlisted in the Eve Pownall non-fiction category of […]

Inked by Karen Wasson, illustrated by Jake A Minton

Inked by Karen Wasson, illustrated Jake A Minton Published by Figment Books (Hardie Grant Publishing) “I wish I could blend in.” (Inked) Inked is a graphic novel shortlisted in the Younger Reader category of the 2026 CBCA awards. It was also the first graphic novel to be shortlisted for the Ampersand Prize for an unpublished manuscript. […]

Treeshape by Trace Balla

Treeshape by Trace Balla Guest author post for Paperbark Words blog by author-illustrator Trace Balla about her new graphic novel Treeshape – the shape of a tree the shape of me. Published by Allen & Unwin This is a story of the trees of my life, and how they have shaped who I am. Perhaps my […]

When the Mountain Wakes by Matt Shanks

When 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 […]

GUS GORDON: Into the Bewilderness & picture books

GUS GORDON: Into the Bewilderness & picture books Author-illustrator Interview with Gus Gordon, featuring Into the Bewilderness, at PaperbarkWords “Is there more to this life? … Maybe we’re missing out on something here in the woods? What if there’s something else out there? Beyond the trees. Beyond the horizon, where the sun goes down into the […]

Higher Ground by Tull Suwannakit

Higher Ground by Tull Suwannakit Author/illustrator Interview at PaperbarkWords “There was no one. Just us. ‘Never lose hope,’ Grandma said. ‘Life can be meaningful even in the darkest of days.’ “ (Higher Ground) New Frontier Publishing Thank you for speaking to ‘Joy in Books’ at PaperbarkWords, Tull. You must be thrilled with the final […]

Frog, Log & Dave Almost Save the Day! by Trent Jamieson & Brent Wilson

Frog, Log & Dave Almost Save the Day! by Trent Jamieson & Brent Wilson Penguin Books The first in the new Frog, Log & Dave graphic novel series by Trent Jamieson & Brent Wilson has arrived. It is really good – an interesting story, funny, generously illustrated and well designed. It sets up the action […]