Where the Lyrebird Lives by Vikki Conley illustrated by Max Hamilton

Where the Lyrebird Lives by Vikki Conley, illustrated by Max Hamilton Published by Windy Hollow Books Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2023 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2023 Notable Books Author & Illustrator Interview Where the Lyrebird Lives by Vikki Conley, illustrated by Max Hamilton (Windy Hollow Books) is a celebration of the Australian bush […]

Two Can Play That Game by Leanne Yong

Two Can Play That Game by Leanne Yong (published by Allen & Unwin) Review and author interview “I want to create something that makes people gasp in revelation with each new level.” (Two Can Play That Game) ***** Book Review Review of Two Can Play That Game by Joy Lawn in Magpies magazine, March 2023 […]

Gus and the Starlight by Victoria Carless

Gus and the Starlight by Victoria Carless Published by HarperCollins Australia Guest author: Victoria Carless Victoria Carless writes about her wonderful middle-fiction novel, Gus and the Starlight for PaperbarkWords. Christmas gift idea Gus and the Starlight is a story about family, friendships and second chances. It’s set in a haunted drive-in movie theatre and features […]

Solomon Macaroni by Ashleigh Barton

Solomon Macaroni and the Cousin Catastrophe by Ashleigh Barton Ashleigh Barton’s picture book What do you call your Grandma? (illustrated by Martina Heiduczek) is a 2022 CBCA shortlisted book. Her new book, Solomon Macaroni and the Cousin Catastrophe (University of Queensland Press) is the first in a children’s series. Here she explains the genesis of […]

Sharing by Aunty Fay Muir & Sue Lawson, illustrated by Leanne Mulgo Watson

Author Interview “Take only what you need, no more, no less.” (Sharing) Sharing (Magabala Books) is the third book in the profound and contemplative Our Place series for young children. It is written by Aunty Fay Muir and Sue Lawson and illustrated by Leanne Mulgo Watson. Thank you for speaking to PaperbarkWords, Aunty Fay and […]

The Christmas Pig by J.K. Rowling

The Christmas Pig by J.K. Rowling Book Review ‘Christmas Eve is a night for miracles and lost causes.’ (The Christmas Pig by J.K. Rowling) J.K. Rowlings’ The Christmas Pig, illustrated by Jim Field, published by Little Brown and Hachette Children’s Group, is a magical way to embrace the Christmas season. The outer jacket illustration in […]

Dragon Skin by Karen Foxlee

Inside the 2022 CBCA Shortlist Dragon Skin by Karen Foxlee (published by A&U) Author Interview “If you find a dragon you need a friend.” (Dragon Skin) Every new book from Karen Foxlee comes to us with great anticipation. She brings magic into the world in both her realist and fantasy stories. Her books resonate with […]

Daughter of the River Country by Dianne O’Brien

Daughter of the River Country by Dianne O’Brien Author Interview “I always felt sorry for the underdogs.” (Daughter of the River Country) Daughter of the River Country is a harrowing, unforgettable memoir by Dianne O’Brien, a Yorta Yorta woman from the river country of north-east Victoria and southern NSW, who was stolen as a baby […]

Exit Through the Gift Shop by Maryam Master

Exit Through the Gift Shop by Maryam Master, illustrated by Astred Hicks Inside the 2022 CBCA Shortlist Exit Through the Gift Shop is a stand-out middle-fiction novel for mature children in upper primary and for readers in junior secondary school. The combined title and cover are eye-catching. The voice of 12-year-old Ana is striking, memorable […]

The Edge of Thirteen by Nova Weetman

I have closely followed Nova Weetman’s writing for children and young adults since her 2014 YA debut The Haunting of Lily Frost and was on the Aurealis judging panel when it was shortlisted. I reviewed Nova’s second YA novel Frankie and Joely for the Weekend Australian, as well as Everything Is Changed and her first […]