Open Your Heart to Country wins PM Children’s Literature Award

Ask Aunty: Seasons (An introduction to First Nations seasons)

Ask Aunty: Seasons (An introduction to First Nations Seasons) By Aunty Munya Andrews Illustrated by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis Published by Hardie Grant Explore Ask Aunty: Seasons by Aunty Munya Andrews with illustrations by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis is published by Hardie Grant Explore. Available in stores nationally from 15 November, RRP $24.99. “I love my culture and I love […]

BACK TO THE STORKS by CRESSIDA GAUKROGER, ILLUS ANDREW JOYNER

Reviews > Back to the StorksCressida Gaukroger, illus Andrew JoynerLittle HareReviewed by Joy LawnReleased October 2023HardbackISBN 9781761211874RRP $22.99Category: Children’s picture book Back to the Storks (Cressida Gaukroger, illus Andrew Joyner, Little Hare) 8 August 2023 Unlocked content from the archive. Books+Publishing (This review was commissioned by Books+Publishing and is reproduced with permission.) Back to the Storks plays on […]

Affirming, Fun Picture Books

Affirming, Fun Picture Books by Affirm Picture Books & More Reviews by Joy in Books at Paperbark Words blog All books reviewed in this survey are published by Affirm Press There’s something magical happening at Affirm Press. A small independent press, they are absolutely punching above their weight by publishing many of Australia’s best picture book creators (as well […]

World by Martine Murray & Anna Read

World by Martine Murray & Anna Read (published Parachute Press) World is a 2024 CBCA Notable book in the Picture Book of the Year category. Congratulations. Chloe Hooper describes World in her cover puff as, “A wise and generous fable with a vital message”. Martine Murray first came to my attention in 2001 with her novel […]

Granbad by Penny Tangey & peter Baldwin

Reviews > GranbadPenny TangeyUQPReviewed by Joy LawnReleased August 2023HardbackISBN 9780702266232RRP $24.99Category: Children’s picture book Granbad by Penny Tangey, illus Peter Baldwin (UQP) 13 June 2023 Unlocked content from the archive. Books+Publishing (This review was commissioned by Books+Publishing and is reproduced with permission.) Grandad is a rebel who breaks so many rules the family call him ‘Granbad’. He […]

Tiny Tradies by Tami Sussman illus Tom Jellett

Reviews > Tiny TradiesTami Sussman, illus by Tom JellettAffirm PressReviewed by Joy LawnReleased March 2023HardbackISBN 9781922848123RRP $19.99Category: Children’s picture book Tiny Tradies (Tami Sussman, illus by Tom Jellett, Affirm Press) 6 December 2022 Unlocked content from the archive. Books+Publishing (This review was commissioned by Books+Publishing and is reproduced with permission.) Tami Sussman and evergreen illustrator Tom Jellett […]

Last-Place Lin by Wai Chim, illustrated by Freda Chiu

Last-Place Lin by Wai Chim, illustrated by Freda Chiu Published by Allen & Unwin “Last-Place Lin. Last-Place Lin. Last-Place Lin. At first, I say the words in my head, then I chant them. My feet match the rhythm.” (Last-Place Lin) Author Interview with Wai Chim Thank you for speaking about Last-Place Lin with Joy in […]

Farmhouse by Sophie Blackall

Farmhouse by Sophie Blackall Published by Lothian Children’s Books, Hachette Australia Book review and suggested activities by Joy Lawn (Joy in Books) at PaperbarkWords blog Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2023 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2023 Notable Books Australian-born, USA-resident, dual Caldecott Medallist Sophie Blackall’s book Farmhouse is shortlisted in the Picture Book category […]

My Giant Sea Shell by Amanda Lieber, ill. Kathy Creamer

My Giant Sea Shell by Amanda Lieber, ill. Kathy Creamer (published by Little Pink Dog Books) Guest Author Profile by Amanda Lieber Thanks for speaking to Joy in Books at Paperbark Words blog about your debut picture book, My Giant Sea Shell, Amanda. What was your relationship with books as a child and please tell […]