The Emperor’s Egg by Rae Tan

The Emperor’s Egg written & illustrated by Rae Tan Published by Lothian Children’s Books, Hachette Australia Picture Book review & how to use the book by Joy Lawn (Joy in Books) at Paperbark Words blog “ ‘All the creatures are out except mine.’ ‘It’s all right, Ren,’ Papa says, ‘You’ve given Bao Bao all your love and […]

A Loo of One’s Own by Eleri Harris

A Loo of One’s Own: A Mostly True Tale of Australia’s First Female Parliamentarians written and illustrated by Eleri Harris (Allen & Unwin) “Our story starts eighty years ago in Canberra, where all the cool stuff happens… On the first day of school … Wait! Parliament! Two women walked into Australia’s Parliament House. And came […]

Peculiar Parents by Stephanie Owen Reeder and Ingrid Bartkowiak

Peculiar Parents by Stephanie Owen Reeder and Ingrid Bartkowiak (NLA Publishing) Peculiar Parents is shortlisted in the Eve Pownall non-fiction category of the 2026 CBCA awards. Author Dr Stephanie Owen Reeder writes about her well-named and impeccably researched and compiled book, Peculiar Parents, for Paperbark Words blog: Stephanie Owen Reeder on Peculiar Parents Peculiar Parents explores […]

We Saw What You Started & We Did It Anyway by Carla Salmon

We Saw What You Started & We Did It Anyway by Carla Salmon INSIDE THE CBCA 2026 SHORTLIST (Pan Macmillan Australia) “I’d assumed Jasper was joking, since it’s impossible to tell when he’s being serious or sarcastic. His thick Aussie drawl means all his sentences end with a cheerful upward inflection. But breaking into the […]

Being Indy by Zoe Gaetjens & Estee Sarsfield

Being Indy by Zoe Gaetjens & Estee Sarsfield Published by WestWords Children’s But Percival had rules. He couldn’t let just anyone cross the bridge. Only certain types were allowed. If folks were too different, there would be chaos. They would squabble. Tease. Bicker. (Being Indy) Being Indy by Zoe Gaetjens, illustrated by Estee Sarsfield is […]

Inked by Karen Wasson, illustrated by Jake A Minton

Inked by Karen Wasson, illustrated Jake A Minton Published by Figment Books (Hardie Grant Publishing) “I wish I could blend in.” (Inked) Inked is a graphic novel shortlisted in the Younger Reader category of the 2026 CBCA awards. It was also the first graphic novel to be shortlisted for the Ampersand Prize for an unpublished manuscript. […]

Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles by Corey Tutt, illustrated by Ben Williams

Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles by Corey Tutt, illustrated by Ben Williams (Allen & Unwin) “For this book, I worked with the support and permission of Elders and Traditional Owners to use the First Nations names for all 68 reptiles included here. Perhaps you might like to ask the Elders, or the Aboriginal officer […]

Something Terrible: Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces by Sally Barton, illustrated by Christopher Nielsen

Something Terrible: Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces by Sally Barton ill. Christopher Nielsen (Walker Books Australia) Something Terrible: Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces by Sally Barton, illustrated by Christopher Nielsen is shortlisted for the 2026 CBCA Books of the Year: Younger Readers. Congratulations on Something Terrible: Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces being shortlisted by the CBCA, Sally, and thank you for speaking to Joy in Books at Paperbark Words […]

Spotlight on Jo Dabrowski Inside the CBCA Shortlist

Spotlight on Jo Dabrowski Inside the CBCA Shortlist Dear Broccoli Shortlisted 2026 CBCA Picture Book of the Year Written by Jo Dabrowski, Illustrated by Cate James (Affirm Press) The Thing About Christmas Shortlisted 2026 CBCA Early Childhood Written by Jo Dabrowski, illustrated by Briony Stewart (Little Book Press) The Making of Martha Mayfield Notable Book […]

I’m Not Really Here by Gary Lonesborough

I’m Not Really Here by Gary Lonesborough (A&U Books for Children and Young Adults) I’m Not Really Here by Gary Lonesborough is the WINNER of the CBCA 2025 Book of the Year: Older Readers category. “Back in my room, I stare at myself in the mirror of my wardrobe. As I sip my glass of water, […]