Green Shadows and Other Poems by Gerald Murnane

Green Shadows is the title poem and pervading spirit behind Gerald Murnane’s collection of poetic reflections and learnings in Green Shadows and Other Poems (Giramondo Publishing). Who is Gerald Murnane, recently described by the New York Times as “the greatest living English-language writer most people have never heard of” who could win the next Nobel […]

Noni the Pony Rescues a Joey by Alison Lester

Inside the CBCA Shortlist Noni the Pony Rescues a Joey (Allen & Unwin) is set in the Australian bush and is aimed at toddlers and children in pre-school and junior primary. It is told in simple rhyming text and its major themes are helping others and Australian native animals. Noni the Pony lives near the […]

The Peacock Detectives by Carly Nugent

Inside the CBCA Shortlist The Peacock Detectives (Text Publishing) is shortlisted in the CBCA Younger Readers category. It is best for readers in upper primary. It is a deceptive story, unveiling depths in themes and characters. It is ostensibly about Cassie who is looking for the missing peacocks, William Shakespeare and Virginia, usually with her […]

The Aunts’ House by Elizabeth Stead

I am very interested in the work of Elizabeth Stead, niece of Christina Stead who wrote the Australian classic The Man Who Loved Children. I relished Elizabeth’s 2007 novel, The Gospel of Gods and Crocodiles, set on an island that reminded me of somewhere in Papua New Guinea, although the place was unidentified. Elizabeth Stead […]

Girl on Wire by Lucy Estela & Elise Hurst

Inside the CBCA Shortlist Girl on Wire (Penguin Random House) is a highly metaphorical picture book, for older children, where a wire resembles a tightrope. It is a stunning work painted in oils, and the book cover resembles a painting canvas. In the story an unnamed girl seems to be in a difficult or even […]

Punch Lines: Poets Play Duchamp

Red Room Poetry collaborated with the Art Gallery of NSW to produce Punch Lines: Poets Play Duchamp for the Sydney Writers Festival this week. The six poets did a superb job of writing and reading or performing their poems in response to the works of Marcel Duchamp displayed in the gallery. Poets featured were Pascalle […]

NSW Premier’s Literary Awards Celebrating 40 years

The NSW Premier’s Literary Awards celebrated 40 years in grand style in the beautiful Mitchell Library Reading Room at the State Library of NSW last night. It was a great celebration of quality, diverse books. Michael Mohammed Ahmed, winner of the Multicultural Award for The Lebs (Hachette) opened with a prayer for the victims of […]

Lenny’s Book of Everything by Karen Foxlee

Inside the CBCA Shortlist I have read all of Karen Foxlee’s books as they’ve been published, beginning with her novels for adults and young adults, The Anatomy of Wings and the stunning The Midnight Dress, a tale of a teenage girl’s murder where tension simmers exquisitely. It is an alluring, mesmeric mystery with a finely […]

The Bogan Mondrian by Steven Herrick

Inside the CBCA Shortlist Steven Herrick has a stunning list of verse novels, poetry and prose for children and young adults. His books have been shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council of Australia awards multiple times and my favourite of his works, The Spangled Drongo, won the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards for children’s literature. I […]

Raising Readers by Megan Daley

Raising Readers Megan Daley is a champion of Australian children’s literature and the authors and illustrators who create these quality Australian books. She is well-known as a blogger – Children’s Books Daily – and has won several awards, including the national Dromkeen Librarian’s Award. Her first book Raising Readers: How to nurture a child’s love […]