Ribbit Rabbit Robot by Victoria Mackinlay, illustrated by Sofya Karmazina

Ribbit Rabbit Robot by Victoria Mackinlay, illustrated by Sofya Karmazina (Omnibus Books, Scholastic Australia) is a fun story to read aloud with children or for beginning readers to read themselves. Thank you for speaking to PaperbarkWords, Victoria. Thank you for having me Joy! It’s a major achievement to have a book published and an extra […]

The Giant and the Sea by Trent Jamieson, illustrated by Rovina Cai

“There was a giant who stood on the shore of the sea. She looked out across the water because that is what she had promised to do long, long ago.” The Giant and the Sea by Trent Jamieson, illustrated by Rovina Cai (Lothian Children’s Books) is a significant multifaceted work. It is likely to become […]

No! Never! by Libby Hathorn & Lisa Hathorn-Jarman, illustrated by Mel Pearce

Inside the CBCA Shortlist No! Never! (Lothian Children’s Books) is a humorous cautionary tale about sweet young Georgie told in deft rhyme by Libby Hathorn, one of Australia’s most highly regarded writers for children, and her daughter Lisa Hathorn-Jarman. It is illustrated by Mel Pearce. Thank you for speaking with PaperbarkWords, Libby and Lisa. Whose […]

The Dam by David Almond & Levi Pinfold

The Dam is written by Carnegie and multi awarded medallist David Almond who wrote Skellig, Clay, Slog’s Dad and other renowned books. It is illustrated by Queensland-based artist Levi Pinfold who previously won the Greenaway Medal for Black Dog. Levi Pinfold has now been shortlisted for The Dam in what is probably the world’s most […]

Izzy and Frank by Katrina Lehman, illustrated by Sophie Beer

Thank you for speaking to PaperbarkWords, Katrina and Sophie. Your new picture book Izzy and Frank (Scribble) is a thoughtful and refreshing tale for young children about the friendship between a girl and a seagull and how life changes. Where does your lovely introductory image of Izzy’s island home without corners and a “a staircase […]

Tooth Fairies, something lost, surprising stones and a forgotten bear

The Underhills: A Tooth Fairy Story by Bob Graham The Corner of My Eye by Colin Thompson The Book of Stone by Mark Greenwood & Coral Tulloch Nop by Caroline Magerl Bob Graham is undoubtedly one of Australia’s and the world’s best picture book creators. The Underhills: A Tooth Fairy Story is his new companion […]

The All New Must Have Orange 430 by Michael Speechley

Inside the CBCA Shortlist Before reading this satire, children guess what the title means. What might the Orange 430 itself be? What could be the relevance of this numeral? The All New Must Have Orange 430 (Penguin Random House Australia) is a humorous, although cautionary, tale about Harvey who must have the new Orange 430 […]

Heads and Tails: Insects by John Canty

Inside the CBCA Shortlist Heads and Tails: Insects (Berbay Publishing) is cleanly and consummately designed to appeal to young children and either elicit or nurture their interest in insects. The form of the clues in the narrative is deliberately repetitive, with every sentence beginning with the word, “I”. The book begins: “I live in a […]

The Mediterranean by Armin Greder

Inside the CBCA Shortlist The Mediterranean (Allen & Unwin) is a picture book for mature readers. It is not for reading pleasure. It is deliberately confronting, aiming to shock the reader with the terrible issue of dead refugees. The quote at the end of the book tells us that the story is based on the […]

Rainbow Bear by Stephen Michael King

Inside the CBCA Shortlist Rainbow Bear (Scholastic Australia) overflows with family love, especially the love between a father and his children. It is full of gentle humour, founded in the natural rhythms of day and night, night and day; watched over by the celestial bodies of the sun, moon and stars – Stephen Michael King […]