Betsy & Bon by Simon Howe

Betsy & Bon by Simon Howe Betsy & Bon written & illustrated by Simon Howe (UQP) Betsy & Bon is a gift-packaged hardcover book of three gentle, whimsical stories for young children. It explores empathetic and collaborative friendship and community, imaginative play and the natural world. It is recommended for ages 5-8. Thank you for speaking to […]

Derek by Anne Donaldson, illustrated by Matt Shanks

Derek by Anne Donaldson, illustrated by Matt Shanks (Little Hare, Hardie Grant) “Derek was a fish with many questions.” (Derek) INSIDE THE CBCA 2026 SHORTLIST Derek is the humorously perceptive Honour-awarded picture book in the Early Childhood category of the 2026 CBCA awards. It is also the Early Childhood Shadow Judging winner. Interview with Derek creators Anne […]

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’ […]

A Loo of One’s Own by Eleri Harris

A Loo of One’s Own: A Mostly True Tale of Australia’s First Female Parliamentarians written and illustrated by Eleri Harris (Allen & Unwin) “Our story starts eighty years ago in Canberra, where all the cool stuff happens… On the first day of school … Wait! Parliament! Two women walked into Australia’s Parliament House. And came […]

Being Indy by Zoe Gaetjens & Estee Sarsfield

Being Indy by Zoe Gaetjens & Estee Sarsfield Published by WestWords Children’s But Percival had rules. He couldn’t let just anyone cross the bridge. Only certain types were allowed. If folks were too different, there would be chaos. They would squabble. Tease. Bicker. (Being Indy) Being Indy by Zoe Gaetjens, illustrated by Estee Sarsfield is […]

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 It was also the first graphic novel to be shortlisted for the Ampersand Prize for an unpublished manuscript. […]

Tiwi war kwampini: Mwarlapwara kangi tingati (Tiwi War Hero: Footprints in the Sand) by Mavis Kerinaiua

Tiwi war kwampini: Mwarlapwara kangi tingati (Tiwi War Hero: Footprints in the Sand) by Mavis Kerinaiua Tiwi War kwampini: Mwarlapwara kangi tingati (Tiwi War Hero: Footprints in the Sand) written, translated and illustrated by Mavis Kerinaiua with support from Laura Rademaker (Published by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation) Disclaimer: Please be advised that this story contains images and names of people […]

Once I was a Giant by Zeno Sworder

Once I was a Giant by Zeno Sworder Published by Thames & Hudson Australia “At daybreak the wanderer scrambled through my branches to warn the birds and tunnelled underneath my roots to warn the insects. Before leaving they called out goodbye. ‘Sun seeker. Sky dancer. Life maker. Thank you.’” (Once I was a Giant by […]

Inside the 2026 CBCA Shortlist

INSIDE THE CBCA 2026 SHORTLIST WINNERS see Winners and Honour awards 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 […]

The World From Here by Cassy Polimeni, ill. Mel Armstrong

The World From Here by Cassy Polimeni, ill. Mel Armstrong CSIRO Publishing – Cassy Polimeni & Mel Armstrong write about ‘The World From Here’ for Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog – Cassy Polimeni The first glimmer of what became The World From Here came to me during a writing challenge called Storystorm. I was thinking about countries […]