Grumble Boats by Susannah McFarlane, illustrated by Tamsin Ainslie

Thank you for speaking to PaperbarkWords, Susannah and Tamsin. Your picture book Grumble Boats (Affirm Press) is an original and uplifting picture book for young children about expressing and dealing with grumpiness and the relationship between Emma and her Grandma. It accentuates Grandma’s kindness and wisdom, Emma’s trust and their mutual love. Susannah, I love […]

Who Fed Zed? by Amelia McInerney & Adam Nickel

Who Fed Zed? is a very funny picture book written by Amelia McInerney. It is perfectly matched and enhanced by Adam Nickel’s illustrations and is published by Allen & Unwin. Amelia has achieved amazing success in a short time with her picture books The Book Chook, The Bad Crab illustrated by Philip Bunting and My […]

Bella and the Voyaging House by Meg McKinlay

“ ‘Like’ was too small a word for how she felt about her little room, her special window, the wooden walls with Grandma’s name in looping letters.” (Bella and the Voyaging House) Meg McKinlay is one of Australia’s finest writers for young people. Her books span ages and genres. They invariably blend an engaging story […]

Pip Harry and Are You There Buddha?

“Everything is happening so fast, puberty is like a runaway train. Why can’t my body slow down for a second? So I can catch my breath?” (Are You There Buddha?) Pip Harry has a glowing backlist of YA novels – Because of You, Head of the River and I’ll Tell You Mine. She has followed […]

The Unwilling Twin by Freya Blackwood

Inside the CBCA Shortlist The Unwilling Twin by Freya Blackwood (HarperCollins Publishers) is shortlisted for the CBCA 2021 Picture Book of the Year. Credit to the judges of the picture book category because of their outstanding list (although I can’t imagine how they will select the winner and honour books from these deserving titles), and […]

Wombat., Not Cute, and other inimitable books by Philip Bunting

Inside the 2021 CBCA Shortlist WOMBAT WINNER Russell Prize for Humour Writing for Young People Not Cute. is shortlisted for the 2021 CBCA Picture Book of the Year, and Philip Bunting also has what is probably a record-breaking three other books as Notables – Wombat., Give Me Some Space! and Who am I? (I reviewed […]

Bancks’ Ginger Meggs by Tristan Bancks & Jason Chatfield

Bancks’ Ginger Meggs is a quality hard-cover publication written by Tristan Bancks and illustrated by Jason Chatfield (published by Puffin Books) to celebrate 100 years of the iconic Australian and internationally loved comic strip character Ginger Meggs. Readers will be caught up in the fast-paced, funny adventures of billycart racing and Father’s Day camping shenanigans; […]

Your Birthday Was the Best! by Maggie Hutchings, illustrated by Felicita Sala

Inside the 2021 CBCA Shortlist Russell Prize for Humour Writing for Young People “I ATE SO MUCH I FELL ASLEEP ON YOUR CAKE.” (Your Birthday Was the Best!) Your Birthday Was the Best! written by Maggie Hutchings and illustrated by Felicita Sala (Affirm Press) is shortlisted for the 2021 CBCA Picture Book of the Year […]

INTRODUCING D’LILA LARUE

Introducing D’Lila LaRue by Nette Hilton and illustrated by A. Yi, published by Walker Books Australia The wonderful Nette Hilton has sent this message about her new book for 5-8 year-olds. My newest book is called ‘Introducing D’Lila LaRue’ and I thought, as I discovered her one day when I was on a book idea […]

The Tree by Graeme Base

Graeme Base is one of Australia and the world’s foremost picture book creators, renowned for Animalia and The Waterhole, amongst other treasures. His new book, The Tree (Puffin Books) is a fable. It begins timelessly, “This is the story of …” The tale is perfectly formed and elegantly illustrated to show the tree as a […]