Once I was a Giant by Zeno Sworder

Once I was a Giant by Zeno Sworder Published by Thames & Hudson Australia “At daybreak the wanderer scrambled through my branches to warn the birds and tunnelled underneath my roots to warn the insects. Before leaving they called out goodbye. ‘Sun seeker. Sky dancer. Life maker. Thank you.’” (Once I was a Giant by […]

Inside the 2026 CBCA Shortlist

INSIDE THE CBCA 2026 SHORTLIST The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Shortlisted Books for 2026 have been announced from the Notables list. 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 […]

I’m Not Really Here by Gary Lonesborough

I’m Not Really Here by Gary Lonesborough (A&U Books for Children and Young Adults) I’m Not Really Here by Gary Lonesborough is the WINNER of the CBCA 2025 Book of the Year: Older Readers category. “Back in my room, I stare at myself in the mirror of my wardrobe. As I sip my glass of water, […]

Saskia Spark-Lee: Fundraiser Fail by Rebecka Sharpe Shelberg, ill. Sofya Karmazina

Saskia Spark-Lee: Fundraiser Fail by Rebecka Sharpe Shelberg, illustrated by Sofya Karmazina (Walker Books Australia) Saskia Spark-Lee: Fundraiser Fail by Rebecka Sharpe Shelberg and illustrated by Sofya Karmazina is shortlisted for the 2025 CBCA Book of the Year: Younger Readers. Congratulations on Saskia Spark-Lee: Fundraiser Fail being shortlisted bythe CBCA, Rebecka, and thank you for speaking to Joy in […]

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 […]

One Little Dung Beetle by Rhiân Williams, ill. Heather Potter & Mark Jackson

One Little Dung Beetle by Rhiân Williams, illustrated by Heather Potter & Mark Jackson (Wild Dog Books) One Little Dung Beetle, written by Rhiân Williams and illustrated by Heather Potter & Mark Jackson, is shortlisted for the 2025 CBCA Book of the Year: Early Childhood. Congratulations on One Little Dung Beetle being shortlisted by the CBCA, Rhiân, and thank […]

A Teaspoon of Light by Peter O’Connor, ill. Nisaluk Chantanakom

A Teaspoon of Light by Peter O’Connor, illustrated by Nisaluk Chantanakom WestWords/Dirt Lane Press “One night, while Marley slept, the world changed. It tore her cloth in half. When she woke, her memories were already sliding off. She tied a knot to try to stop them slipping away. But they kept slipping. She grabbed at […]

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 […]

I am a Magpie, I am a Currawong by Bridget Farmer

I am a Magpie, I am a Currawong by Bridget Farmer (Black Cockatoo Books) I am a Magpie, I am a Currawong, written and illustrated by Bridget Farmer, is shortlisted for the 2025 CBCA Book of the Year: Eve Pownall Award. Congratulations on I am a Magpie, I am a Currawong being shortlisted by the CBCA, […]

Aggie Flea Steals the Show by Tania Ingram & A.Yi

Aggie Flea Steals the Show by Tania Ingram, ill. A.Yi (Scholastic Australia) “Or maybe my brain just made them up. My brain sometimes does stuff like that. Mum says I have a big imagination like Dad. Sometimes my big imagination gets me into trouble, though. Like the time I thought my new neighbour was a vampire. […]