Christmas Always Comes by Jackie French & Bruce Whatley

Christmas Picture Book Book Review Christmas Always Comes is the tale of a very Australian Christmas. As always, former Australian Children’s Laureate Jackie French tells the story expertly, here with the narrative enhanced through dialogue and lyrical descriptions. Bruce Whatley’s illustrations depict the size, vast distance, colours and dryness of the Australian countryside, with splashes […]

The Boy and the Elephant by freya blackwood

The Boy and the Elephant by Freya Blackwood Picture Book Review Freya Blackwood is indisputably one of Australia and the world’s best picture book creators. Her works continually appear on the CBCA awards and winners lists and she has also won the international 2010 Kate Greenaway Medal for illustration. All of her books are standouts. […]

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 […]

The Lion Who Came to Stay by Victoria Mackinlay

Victoria Mackinlay write about gifts and her wonderful picture book, The Lion Who Came to Stay: THE GIFT OF STORY Gifting season is upon us! As many of us venture into retail spaces for the first time in months, the shops are clamouring the joy of gift giving, striving for our attention (and wallets) with […]

IBBY 2022 HONOUR BOOKS

The IBBY (Australia) Honour Books have been announced. These two books – one for Writing and one for Illustration – will be Australia’s nominations in the prestigious biennial international awards. The recipients are the extraordinary Vikki Wakefield for Writing and Philip Bunting for Illustration. Vikki’s award is for her YA novel This is How We […]

One Potoroo by Penny Jaye & Alicia Rogerson

One Potoroo: A Story of Survival by Penny Jaye & Alicia Rogerson, published CSIRO Publishing Penny Jaye tells us about her new book One Potoroo, as well as some of her other books. Thank you for speaking to PaperbarkWords, Penny. Thank you for having me here. Where are you based and what is your involvement […]

Follow Your Feelings by Kitty Black and Jess Rose

Kitty Black and Jess Rose talk about the two picture books in their new ‘Follow Your Feelings’ series: Max and Worry and Lucy and Sad (published Affirm Press) Kitty Black, author: Follow Your Feelings began its physical life as a form of procrastination, but I suspect it had been taking shape in the back of […]

The Curiosities by Zana Fraillon, illustrated by Phil Lesnie

The Curiosities by Zana Fraillon, illustrated by Phil Lesnie, published Lothian Children’s Books Author & Illustrator Interview “Miro could swim with the stars and tickle the songs from the earth. He could whisper up waves and weave clouds to make stories for the wind.” (The Curiosities) Perfect confluence of words and illustrations makes The Curiosities […]

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, […]

Hello World by Lisa Shanahan & Leila Rudge

Hello World by Lisa Shanahan & Leila Rudge ABC Books, HarperCollins Publishers LISA: Picture books often grow out of a wild hotchpotch of memory, keen observation and deeply felt emotion. With regards to Hello World, I was certainly inspired by my own memories of parenting little ones. Like most kids, my three boys were often […]