How to Move a Zoo by Kate Simpson, illustrated by Owen Swan

How to Move a Zoo Written by Kate Simpson illustrated by Owen Swan Allen & Unwin “If the neighbours had known there was an elephant on their street, they’d have been hanging out of every window. But Jessie was silent on her soft feet. She didn’t wake them.” (How to Move a Zoo) How to […]

We Live in a Bus by Dave Petzold

We Live in a Bus by Dave Petzold Thames & Hudson “We live in a bus and we stop whenever we like.” (We Live in a Bus) We Live in a Bus by Dave Petzold is a 2025 CBCA shortlisted Picture Book of the Year. Congratulations on your warm, joyous book and its CBCA shortlisting, […]

Inside The CBCA 2025 Shortlist & Winners

INSIDE THE CBCA 2025 SHORTLIST & WINNERS The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Shortlisted Books for 2025 have been announced. 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 creators who […]

The Garden of Broken Things by Freya Blackwood

The Garden of Broken Things by Freya Blackwood (HarperCollins Australia) Inside the 2025 CBCA Shortlist 2025 CBCA Shortlist 2025 CBCA Notable Books Freya Blackwood is one of our most accomplished and highly regarded picture book creators. Two of her books are shortlisted in the 2025 CBCA Picture Book of the Year category: The Garden of […]

Country Town by Isolde Martyn & Robyn Ridgeway, illustrated by Louise Hogan

Country Town by Isolde Martyn & Robyn Ridgeway, illustrated by Louise Hogan Published by Ford St Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2024 CBCA Winners Inside the 2024 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2024 Notable Books Country Town is the WINNER of the CBCA 2024 Eve Pownall Award. At the time of writing it is also […]

Inside the CBCA 2024 Winners

Inside the CBCA 2024 Winners As I have done every year for almost thirty years now, this year I’m again actively, and in depth where possible, writing about and promoting the CBCA Shortlist and Winners. Inside the 2024 CBCA Shortlist 2024 CBCA Winners & Honour Books CBCA Winner, Honour & Shadow Judging announcement The winners […]

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 […]

Bear and Duck are Friends by Sue deGennaro

Bear and Duck are Friends by Sue deGennaro (Published by Little Hare an imprint of Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing) Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2024 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2024 Notable Books Bear and Duck are Friends is an HONOUR BOOK in the CBCA 2024 Book of the Year Early Childhood category. “Duck loved trying […]

Timeless by Kelly Canby

Timeless by Kelly Canby (Fremantle Press) Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2024 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2024 Notable Books Timeless is the WINNER of the CBCA 2024 Picture Book of the Year category. “ ‘If only we had more hours in the day,’ Emit (whose parents turned back time to name him) was told […]