Paper-flower Girl written by Margrete Lamond, illustrated by Mateja Jager

Paper-flower Girl written by Margrete Lamond, illustrated by Mateja Jager Published by Dirt Lane Press, WestWords Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2024 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2024 Notable Books Paper-flower Girl is an HONOUR BOOK in the CBCA 2024 Picture Book of the Year category. “Up there the Paper-flower Girl. She speeds. She cuts. […]

Lights Out, Little Dragon! by Debra Tidball & Rae Tan

Lights Out, Little Dragon! by Debra Tidball & Rae Tan (published HarperCollins Australia) Debra Tidball is a children’s author of award-winning picture books. The Scared Book won the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award for Australia and New Zealand, and is a CBCA Notable Book. When I See Grandma won the Caleb Award and both books have been shortlisted for the […]

This is My Book by Tim Harris & Heidi McKinnon

This is My Book by Tim Harris & Heidi McKinnon Published by Penguin Random House Tim Harris is one of the best of the many good guys of Australian children’s literature. He is well known and loved for his series fiction that spans Mr Bambuckle’s Remarkables, Exploding Endings, Toffle Towers and Ratbags. His first picture […]

INSIDE THE CBCA 2024 SHORTLIST

INSIDE THE CBCA 2024 SHORTLIST The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Shortlisted Books for 2024 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. Also see the 2024 NOTABLE BOOKS at […]

The Garden at the End of the World by Cassy Polimeni and Briony Stewart

The Garden at the End of the World by Cassy Polimeni and Briony Stewart Published by University of Queensland Press Inside the CBCA Notables The Garden at the End of the World is a 2024 CBCA Notable Book Guest author post by Cassy Polimeni about her original, inviting and Reassuring picture book, The Garden at the […]

Listen, Hippo! Written and illustrated by Gabriel Evans

Listen, Hippo! Written and illustrated by Gabriel Evans Published by Puffin “’I’m feeling sad,’ said Billy. My thoughts are whirling and twirling like a pinwheel. I think what I need is – ’ ‘Aha! As your best friend I know exactly what you need,’ said Hippo.’” (Listen, Hippo!) I jumped at the offer of an […]

Nightsong by Sally Soweol Han

Nightsong by Sally Soweol Han Published by University of Queensland Press Book review by Joy Lawn (Joy in Books) at PaperbarkWords blog Who is Sally Soweol Han? Sally Soweol Han is a new talent and the author-illustrator of two acclaimed picture books. Tiny Wonders won the 2023 CBCA New Illustrator of the Year. Nightsong is […]

Inside the 2024 CBCA Notable Books

The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Notable Books for 2024 have been announced. Follow the links to those books I have already reviewed or interviewed the author or illustrator at PaperbarkWords blog. NB I will add reviews and interviews here and on the Inside the 2024 Shortlist page on the blog (once the shortlist is announced) until the […]

All You Can Be by Angela Casabene, ill. Michelle Conn

All You Can Be by Angela Casabene, illustrated by Michelle Conn Published by Affirm Press Angela Casabene shares why she wrote her lovely, affirming picture book, All You Can Be, at PaperbarkWords blog I have often said this about my two girls: My first born is like an extension of my soul. And although I […]

Clever, Funny, Thinking Picture Books

Picture Book Reviews by Joy in Books at Paperbark Words blog Books published by ABC Books, HarperCollins Australia & Working Title Press 2023 has produced a really great stash of picture books from ABC Books, Working Title Press and HarperCollins, as well as the reissue of some of the latter’s contemporary classics. The following books should be bought, borrowed […]