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 It was also the first graphic novel to be shortlisted for the Ampersand Prize for an unpublished manuscript.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

Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles by Corey Tutt, illustrated by Ben Williams

Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles by Corey Tutt, illustrated by Ben Williams (Allen & Unwin) “For this book, I worked with the support and permission of Elders and Traditional Owners to use the First Nations names for all 68 reptiles included here. Perhaps you might like to ask the Elders, or the Aboriginal officer […]

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 […]

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 […]