Iceberg by Claire Saxby, illustrated by Jess Racklyeft

Iceberg by Claire Saxby, illustrated by Jess Racklyeft Inside the CBCA Shortlist Author & Illustrator Interview Inside the 2022 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Notable Books “In the pale morning an iceberg calves – shears from a glacier and plunges to the ocean in a haze of sparkle-frost. The iceberg is flat-topped, sharp and […]

luwa tara luwa waypa: three kangaroos three Tasmanian men by Dave mangenner Gough, illustrated by Samantha Campbell

luwa tara luwa waypa: three kangaroos three Tasmanian men by Dave mangenner Gough, illustrated by Samantha Campbell Dave mangenner Gough is a proud trawlwoolway man – descended from Bungana (chief) manalargenna’s oldest daughter woretemoeteyenner of north-east Tasmania. Dave has strong personal connection to lutruwita Tasmania and its people. Dave is an artist, curator and cultural […]

Open Your Heart to Country by Jasmine Seymour

Open Your Heart to Country by Jasmine Seymour Jasmine Seymour has won her second Prime Minister’s Literary Award in the Children’s Literature category. Open Your Heart to Country has won the 2023 award. Cooee Mittigar: A Story on Darug Songlines (written by Jasmine Seymour, illustrated by Leanne Mungo Watson) won the 2020 award, as well […]

A Feather on a Wing by Maria Speyer

A Feather on a Wing by Maria Speyer Danish artist, illustrator and author Maria Speyer’s debut picture book in English is A Feather on a Wing. It has an ethereal feel yet is grounded in a sister’s love, nurturing nature and access to a world constructed with care and warmth that is growing and inclusive. […]

Florence & Fox by Zanni Louise, illustrated by Anna Pignataro

Florence & Fox by Zanni Louise, illustrated by Anna Pignataro Inside the 2022 CBCA Notable Books Author & Illustrator Interview Congratulations on your picture book Florence & Fox (Walker Books Australia) being recognised as a Notable Book in the 2022 CBCA Early Childhood category, Zanni and Anna. Thank you both for speaking to Joy in […]

Walk of the Whales by Nick Bland

Walk of the Whales by Nick Bland Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Notable Books Book Review by Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog Nick Bland is very well known and loved for his picture books, The Very Cranky Bear and sequels, The Wrong Book, The Runaway Hug […]

When the Waterhole Dries Up by Kaye Baillie, illustrated by Max Hamilton

When the Waterhole Dries Up by Kaye Baillie, illustrated by Max Hamilton Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Notable Books Author & Illustrator Interview When the Waterhole Dries Up by Kaye Baillie, illustrated by Max Hamilton (Windy Hollow Books) is a cumulative, riotous tale about a small dusty […]

Say Hello? & The Bear and the Little Green Thing

The Bear and the Little Green Thing by Diandian Say Hello? by Sung Mi Kim Book Reviews by Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog Although very different in style and tone, these two picture books share a message about relating to others. They consider unexpected, reluctant and thwarted friendships and acquaintanceships when characters are too […]

Stellarphant by James Foley

Stellarphant by James Foley Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Notable Books “So Stella gathered her friends … and together they studied and strengthened, and practiced and prepared … until finally, they were all ready.” (Stellarphant) James Foley puts so much care, generosity, intelligence and talent into his […]

Inside the 2022 CBCA Shortlist

Inside the CBCA Shortlist The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Shortlisted Books for 2022 has been announced. Follow the links to those I have already reviewed or interviewed the author or illustrator on the blog. I will add to this list until the winners are announced in August. Congratulations to those creators who have […]