The Peach King by Inga Simpson, ill. Tannya Harricks

The Peach King: A contemporary fable about the resilience of nature written by Inga Simpson, illustrated by Tannya Harricks Lothian Children’s Books, Hachette Australia Interview with Inga Simpson & Tannya Harricks about The Peach King “When Little Peach Tree was just a sapling, not much more than a stick bending in the breeze, all they could […]

The Foal in the Wire by Robbie Coburn

The Foal in the Wire by Robbie Coburn Hachette, Australia Finding a Wounded Foal by Robbie Coburn I have often read that the first novel an author writes is largely autobiographical; in our lives, we have arrived at a point where we can explore our history through the lens of our characters. I have been […]

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 […]

Brightest Wild by Tania Crampton-Larking

Brightest Wild by Tania Crampton-Larking Published by Lothian Children’s Books, Hachette Australia “It’s so quiet here. Even though Art has a large yard, it feels better to be here in the bushland. Yellow, brown and green shades glow mysteriously. My heart skips a beat or three with overwhelming awe and wonder. This place is deeply […]

Six Summers of Tash and Leopold by Danielle Binks

Six Summers of Tash and Leopold by Danielle Binks Author Interview at PaperbarkWords “And I stayed on the bridge, watching as she walked back to where she’d dumped her helmet and board outside my house. She gathered her things back up to ride home. By then I’d gone back to leaning over the railing, looking […]

Gymnastica Fantastica! by Briony Stewart

Gymnastica Fantastica! by Briony Stewart (Lothian Children’s Books, Hachette Australia) Gymnastica Fantastica! by Briony Stewart is the popular WINNER of the CBCA 2024 Book of the Year: Early Childhood category. “See, I’m okay! It’s my own special way, That’s how I do it – I do it all day!” (Gymnastica Fantastica!) Author/Illustrator Interview: Briony Stewart Congratulations on Gymnastica Fantastica! being […]

Grace Notes by Karen Comer

Grace Notes by Karen Comer (Lothian Children’s Books, Hachette Australia) Grace Notes by Karen Comer is the outstanding WINNER of the CBCA 2024 Book of the Year: Older Readers category. “This song has a grace note, a tiny note that’s there for embellishment but can easily be ignored, not played. Tonight, I add it in […]

Pancakes for Plum by Rae Tan

Pancakes for Plum written and illustrated by Rae Tan Published by Lothian Children’s Books, Hachette Australia “One morning, Plum wakes up to the sweetest music. It feels cosy and comforting, just like a stack of warm, fluffy pancakes. ‘I must follow this delicious sound!’” (Pancakes for Plum) Rae, you have created an imaginative, sensory, layered […]

Look Me in the Eye by Jane Godwin

Look Me in the Eye by Jane Godwin Author Interview at PaperbarkWords “ ‘I can never spot the cameras,’ I say. ‘What, are you blind?’ says Mish. Maybe I am, I think. Blind to all the things Mish sees. Maybe we’re all blind. Who knows what anyone else is doing, saying, thinking?” (Look Me in […]

Farmhouse by Sophie Blackall

Farmhouse by Sophie Blackall Published by Lothian Children’s Books, Hachette Australia Book review and suggested activities by Joy Lawn (Joy in Books) at PaperbarkWords blog Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2023 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2023 Notable Books Australian-born, USA-resident, dual Caldecott Medallist Sophie Blackall’s book Farmhouse is shortlisted in the Picture Book category […]