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 […]

We Love You, Magoo by Briony Stewart

Inside the 2021 CBCA Shortlist We Love You, Magoo is written and illustrated by much-loved author-illustrator Briony Stewart. It is shortlisted for the CBCA Book of the Year: Early Childhood awards and is published by Penguin Random House Australia. Thank you for speaking to PaperbarkWords, Briony. No worries! My Pleasure! I have loved and promoted […]

Heroes of the Secret Underground by Susanne Gervay

“You’re free too … You’re not trapped by the secrets of the past. You’re now a witness to the past. To honour those who have suffered and let no one ever forget so it cannot happen again. You’re free to create your future now.” (Heroes of the Secret Underground) Any introduction of Australian children’s author […]

Words on the Waves Writers Festival 2021

The inaugural Words on the Waves Writers Festival was held on Darkinjung Country on the NSW Central Coast over the June 2021 long weekend. The festival was marked by its combination of professionalism and strong sense of hospitality. The program was exceptionally well curated, ranging from the Climate Changemakers; On Truth, Brains, Money & More; […]

Fozia and the Quest of Prince Zal by Rosanne Hawke

The Genesis of Fozia and the Quest of Prince Zal by Rosanne Hawke The wonderful Rosanne Hawke has written about her new book Fozia and the Quest of Prince Zal and how it fits into her flood series. Set in Pakistan, these books are of great appeal and interest for mid to upper primary and […]

Arno and His Horse by Jane Godwin, illustrated by Felicita Sala

Arno and His Horse, written by Jane Godwin and illustrated by Felicita Sala (Scribble), is a warm, thoughtful story with much to discover. The reader is invited into an intriguing scene established in the opening pages to share in the dilemma about what has happened to Arno’s horse. Through this, they discover much about Arno […]

Our Place: Respect & Family

Picture Books from Magabala Books The ‘Our Place’ picture book series is a set of beautifully written and illustrated books that share and explain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture to young children. Two of the four books have now been published. Respect by Aunty Fay Muir & Sue Lawson, illustrated by Lisa Kennedy “Our […]