Tigg and the Bandicoot Bushranger by Jackie French

Tigg and the Bandicoot Bushranger by Jackie French (HarperCollins AU) “It wasn’t easy being the smallest bushranger on the goldfields. It was worsewhen your borrowed horse ate your wig.” (Tigg and the Bandicoot Bushranger ) Tigg and the Bandicoot Bushranger by Jackie French is shortlisted for the 2025CBCA Book of the Year: Younger Readers. Tigg and the […]

Somewhere Lost Anthology

Somewhere Lost Published by Just Write for Kids Q & A with Contributor Carla Hoffenberg for Paperbark Words with Joy Lawn Your recent story is part of a collaborative picture book project through Just Write For Kids – the hardcover anthology Somewhere Lost. Your piece, ‘Lost Sockville’, is included in the book as well as […]

GUS GORDON: Into the Bewilderness & picture books

GUS GORDON: Into the Bewilderness & picture books Author-illustrator Interview with Gus Gordon, featuring Into the Bewilderness, at PaperbarkWords “Is there more to this life? … Maybe we’re missing out on something here in the woods? What if there’s something else out there? Beyond the trees. Beyond the horizon, where the sun goes down into the […]

Into the Mouth of the Wolf by Erin Gough

Into the Mouth of the Wolf by Erin Gough (Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing) Into the Mouth of the Wolf written by Erin Gough is shortlisted for the 2025 CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers. Congratulations on Into the Mouth of the Wolf being shortlisted by the CBCA, Erin, and thank you for speaking to Joy in Books at Paperbark Words blog. Author […]

A Wreck of Seabirds by Karleah Olson

A Wreck of Seabirds by Karleah Olson A Wreck of Seabirds by Karleah Olson is shortlisted for the 2025 CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers. Congratulations on A Wreck of Seabirds being shortlisted by the CBCA, Karleah. It’s the best YA novel I’ve read in ages. And thank you for speaking to Joy in Books at Paperbark Words blog. Author Interview: […]

Fluff: Mess Up! by Matt Stanton

Fluff: Mess Up! by Matt Stanton (ABC Books) “ ‘Hello? Is this Organised Grime?’ Fluff says into the phone. ‘I’m looking for someone to clean our caravan. Yes, it’s urgent. There’s been an accidental food fight and … well, we have a fish with a poop problem.’ ” (Fluff: Mess Up!) Fluff: Mess Up! by Matt […]

Desert Tracks By Marly and Linda Wells

Desert Tracks by Marly & Linda Wells (Magabala Books) Desert Tracks is co-written by mother-daughter duo Linda and Marly Wells. It won the Daisy Utemorrah Award in 2024. The Authors Marly Wells is a proud Warlpiri woman who grew up between Alice Springs and Melbourne. She has worked in social services and the creative art sectors, […]

The Right Book for the Right Reader by Karys McEwen

We welcome Karys McEwen and The Paperbark Tree Committee, her new middle-fiction novel to Paperbark Words. You can see that there’s a perfect synergy between the book’s title and setting and the blog. Karys’s protagonist is even called ‘Art’! Karys also shares her valuable expertise about the right book for the right reader. The right […]

Inside The CBCA 2025 Shortlist & Winners

INSIDE THE CBCA 2025 SHORTLIST & WINNERS The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Shortlisted Books for 2025 have been announced. Follow the links to those books I have already reviewed, or interviewed the author or illustrator, at PaperbarkWords blog. I will add to this list until the winners are announced in August. Congratulations to those creators who […]

From Middle Grade to Picture Books by Pip Harry

From Middle Grade to Picture Books by Pip Harry On the occasion of multi-awarded Pip Harry’s Over and Under? picture book being announced as a CBCA 2025 Notable Book and the publication of The Inside Dog, Pip writes about moving from middle-fiction to picture books. Guest Author Post by Pip Harry for Paperbark Words blog […]