The Nardi Puzzle by Gabriella Page (Wombat Books) With shades of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory but set in an escape room scenario, Gabriella Page’s The Nardia Puzzle is a middle-fiction page-turner. Article by Gabriella Page for PaperbarkWords blog: On doing the things that scare you I was 21 when I arrived in Italy. I […]
Read More The Nardi Puzzle by Gabriella PageRunning in Circles by Shivaun Plozza (UQP) Running in Circles Guest Blog by Shivaun Plozza for Paperbark Words blog While researching a different book I stumbled across an article on unsolved mysteries in Australia, which included an entry on something called the ‘Tully Saucer Nest.’ When I visit schools for author talks and the kids […]
Read More Running in Circles by Shivaun PlozzaSpotlight on Jo Dabrowski Inside the CBCA Shortlist Dear Broccoli Shortlisted 2026 CBCA Picture Book of the Year Written by Jo Dabrowski, Illustrated by Cate James (Affirm Press) The Thing About Christmas Shortlisted 2026 CBCA Early Childhood Written by Jo Dabrowski, illustrated by Briony Stewart (Little Book Press) The Making of Martha Mayfield Notable Book […]
Read More Spotlight on Jo Dabrowski Inside the CBCA ShortlistMyra in the Middle by Seetha Dodd, illustrated by Peter Cheong Published by UQP Seetha Dodd writes a guest author post about her impressive debut children’s novel, Myra in the Middle for ‘Joy in Books’ at Paperbark Words. When my sister was born, I was exactly three years and eleven months old. I had been […]
Read More Myra in the Middle by Seetha DoddINSIDE 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 […]
Read More Inside the 2026 CBCA ShortlistThe Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Notable Books for 2026 have been announced. Follow the links to those books I have already reviewed or interviewed the author or illustrator at PaperbarkWords blog. NB Once the shortlist is announced, I will add reviews and interviews on the Inside the 2026 Shortlist page on the blog until the winners are […]
Read More Inside the 2026 CBCA Notable BooksMy Brother Otto by Ingrid Laguna (Text Publishing) “In the middle of her desk was her laptop. She had whole folders of stories on there. She opened to a screen she had titled The Invisible Girl and added some notes. No one sees the girl. Her colours are fading. She hides behind her cowgirl boots.” […]
Read More My Brother Otto by Ingrid LagunaThe Adventures of Pongo & Stink by Lisa Nicol, illustrated by Karen Blair (Penguin) Thanks to the inimitable Lisa Nicol who has written the funny, honest and beautifully composed origin story of her new junior fiction novel, The Adventures of Pongo and Stink for Joy in Books at Paperbark Words blog. The Adventures of Pongo […]
Read More The Adventures of Pongo & Stink by Lisa Nicol & Karen BlairEmily 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 […]
Read More Emily Rodda Interview: Landovel & other booksINSIDE 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 […]
Read More Inside The CBCA 2025 Shortlist & Winners
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