How to Move a Zoo by Kate Simpson, illustrated by Owen Swan

How to Move a Zoo Written by Kate Simpson illustrated by Owen Swan Allen & Unwin “If the neighbours had known there was an elephant on their street, they’d have been hanging out of every window. But Jessie was silent on her soft feet. She didn’t wake them.” (How to Move a Zoo) How to […]

Creature Corridors by Billie Rooney, ill. Anke Noack

Creature Corridors Written by Billie Rooney illustrated by Anke Noack Publisher: CSIRO Publishing Author Billie Rooney and illustrator Anke Noack write about Creature Corridors, their important non-fiction picture book for young children for Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog Author Billie Rooney writes about Creature Corridors I grew up on a small farm in regional NSW, in country scattered with […]

Taronga Presents by Kristin Darell

Taronga Presents by Kristin Darell, ill. Laura Wood Published by Penguin Random House Australia Kristin Darell is a treasure in the Australian children’s literature space. As well as being a relatively new author of two series: Taronga Presents (for readers aged 7 and up) and Football Fever, she is the Program Manager for the Australian […]

Pet Sitters by Ella Shine

Pet Sitters series by Ella Shine Guest author post by Ella Shine, Cecily Paterson on behalf of herself and co-author Penny Reeve for Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog The magic of writing together Our collaborative writing story began when my friend, writer Penny Reeve, and I decided to make a foray into writing a […]

Open Your Heart to Country by Jasmine Seymour

Open Your Heart to Country by Jasmine Seymour Jasmine Seymour has won her second Prime Minister’s Literary Award in the Children’s Literature category. Open Your Heart to Country has won the 2023 award. Cooee Mittigar: A Story on Darug Songlines (written by Jasmine Seymour, illustrated by Leanne Mungo Watson) won the 2020 award, as well […]

The tree of ecstasy and unbearable sadness

The Sydney Launch of The Tree of Ecstasy and Unbearable Sadness by Matt Ottley It was both a privilege and heartrending joy to attend the launch of The Tree of Ecstasy and Unbearable Sadness by Matt Ottley at the Chauvel Cinema in Sydney’s Paddington last night. The movie of the work, composed by Matt and performed by a full […]

Matt Ottley and his Books

Matt Ottley and his books Interview with Matt Ottley at PaperbarkWords I have been a long-time admirer and collector of Matt Ottley’s work. Matt has an exceptional reputation for his artistic and sophisticated picture books. There are too many to list but include Teacup (written by Rebecca Young), Mrs Millie’s Painting, What Faust Saw, Luke’s […]

Wombat., Not Cute, and other inimitable books by Philip Bunting

Inside the 2021 CBCA Shortlist WOMBAT WINNER Russell Prize for Humour Writing for Young People Not Cute. is shortlisted for the 2021 CBCA Picture Book of the Year, and Philip Bunting also has what is probably a record-breaking three other books as Notables – Wombat., Give Me Some Space! and Who am I? (I reviewed […]

The Tree by Graeme Base

Graeme Base is one of Australia and the world’s foremost picture book creators, renowned for Animalia and The Waterhole, amongst other treasures. His new book, The Tree (Puffin Books) is a fable. It begins timelessly, “This is the story of …” The tale is perfectly formed and elegantly illustrated to show the tree as a […]

Interactive Original Berbay Books

Shapes and Colours by John Canty Whose Bones? by Chihiro Takeuchi Sneaky Shadows by SC Manchild, illustrated by Sam Caldwell Readers, collectors, librarians and book aficionados will recognise John Canty’s beautifully designed and executed illustrations in his new book Shapes and Colours. The concept is deceptively simple but this picture book is a standout and […]