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 It was also the first graphic novel to be shortlisted for the Ampersand Prize for an unpublished manuscript. […]

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 […]

Make Them Say Poo: a gross book perfect for giggles by Stephen (Steve MinOn), illustrated by Rudi de Wet

Make Them Say Poo: a gross book perfect for giggles by Stephen (Steve MinOn), illustrated by Rudi de Wet (Affirm Press, Simon & Schuster) Make Them Say Poo: a gross book perfect for giggles is a subversively funny picture book filled with hidden surprises. It delights in trickery, wordplay and fun. Thank you for speaking to PaperbarkWords, […]

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 […]

Super-Frog Saves Tokyo by Haruki Murakami

Super-Frog Saves Tokyo by Haruki Murakami Translated from the Japanese by Jay Rubin Illustrated by Seb Agresti, illustrated and designed by Suzanne Dean Published by Harvill, Penguin Random House Illustrated Short Story for adults Book review by Joy Lawn (Joy in Books) at Paperbark Words blog “Katagiri found a giant frog waiting for him in his apartment […]

The Adventures of Pongo & Stink by Lisa Nicol & Karen Blair

The Adventures of Pongo & Stink by Lisa Nicol, illustrated by Karen Blair (Penguin) Thanks to the inimitable Lisa Nicol who has written the funny, honest and beautifully composed origin story of her new junior fiction novel, The Adventures of Pongo and Stink for Joy in Books at Paperbark Words blog. The Adventures of Pongo […]

Confessions of a Minor Poet by Phil Brown

Confessions of a Minor Poet by Phil Brown (Transit Lounge) “I was transplanted from a school like the one in Goodbye, Mr. Chips to one more akin to Lord of the Flies. But while my outward life tended to be surfing, partying and reading Tracks magazine, I retained a rather bookish inner life. I was […]

No Dancing in the Lift: A Memoir by Mandy Sayer

No Dancing in the Lift: A Memoir by Mandy Sayer Published by Transit Lounge, 2025 An edited extract: Mandy Sayer on the enduring legacy of her father’s humour Dad was forever joking, even in the most inappropriate settings. Once, on the way to radiotherapy, he leaned heavily against the lift’s handrail, winked at me and […]

TO and FRO by Anton Clifford-Motopi

TO and FRO by Anton Clifford-Motopi Allen & Unwin To and Fro by Anton Clifford-Motopi is shortlisted for the 2025 CBCA Book of the Year: Younger Readers. Congratulations on To and Fro being shortlisted by the CBCA, Anton. I was laughing out loud most of the way through. It also has important themes that you share aptly and originally. […]

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 […]