A is for Australian Reefs by Frané Lessac

A is for Australian Reefs by Frané Lessac Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2023 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2023 Notable Books A is for Australian Reefs by Frané Lessac (published Walker Books Australia) A is for Australian Reefs is the latest in Frané Lessac’s impressive body of picture books. Her books are distinctive for […]

Snap! by Anna Walker

Snap! by Anna Walker Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2023 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2023 Notable Books Snap! By Anna Walker (published Scribble Kids’ Books) Snap! is an exuberant gem of a picture book for young readers and will also be relished by those who share it with them. It is the dramatic tale […]

inside the cbca 2023 shortlist

INSIDE THE CBCA 2023 SHORTLIST The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Shortlisted Books for 2023 has been announced. Follow the links to those books I have already reviewed, or interviewed the author or illustrator, on the blog. I will add to this list until the winners are announced in August. Also see the 2023 […]

Iceberg by Claire Saxby, illustrated by Jess Racklyeft

Iceberg by Claire Saxby, illustrated by Jess Racklyeft Inside the CBCA Shortlist Author & Illustrator Interview Inside the 2022 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Notable Books “In the pale morning an iceberg calves – shears from a glacier and plunges to the ocean in a haze of sparkle-frost. The iceberg is flat-topped, sharp and […]

Walking in Gagudju Country by Diane Lucas & Ben Tyler, illustrated by Emma Long

Walking in Gagudju Country by Diane Lucas & Ben Tyler, illustrated by Emma Long Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Notable Books Walking in Gagudju Country: Exploring the Monsoon Forest Walking in Gagudju Country is an informed and warm invitation to walk into Gagadju (Kakadu). The authors, Diane […]

Florence & Fox by Zanni Louise, illustrated by Anna Pignataro

Florence & Fox by Zanni Louise, illustrated by Anna Pignataro Inside the 2022 CBCA Notable Books Author & Illustrator Interview Congratulations on your picture book Florence & Fox (Walker Books Australia) being recognised as a Notable Book in the 2022 CBCA Early Childhood category, Zanni and Anna. Thank you both for speaking to Joy in […]

Book of Curious Birds by Jennifer Cossins

Book of Curious Birds by Jennifer Cossins Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Notable Books Interview extract by Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog (adapted from an interview in Magpies magazine) & how to use the book with children. I interviewed Jennifer Cossins while she was creating Book […]

Walk of the Whales by Nick Bland

Walk of the Whales by Nick Bland Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Notable Books Book Review by Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog Nick Bland is very well known and loved for his picture books, The Very Cranky Bear and sequels, The Wrong Book, The Runaway Hug […]

When the Waterhole Dries Up by Kaye Baillie, illustrated by Max Hamilton

When the Waterhole Dries Up by Kaye Baillie, illustrated by Max Hamilton Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Notable Books Author & Illustrator Interview When the Waterhole Dries Up by Kaye Baillie, illustrated by Max Hamilton (Windy Hollow Books) is a cumulative, riotous tale about a small dusty […]

Heroes, Rebels and Innovators by Karen Wyld, illustrated by Jaelyn Biumaiwai

Heroes, Rebels and Innovators: Inspiring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People from History by Karen Wyld, illustrated by Jaelyn Biumaiwai Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2022 CBCA Notable Books Book review and ideas on how to use Heroes, Rebels and Innovators by Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog Heroes, Rebels and Innovators (Lothian Children’s Books) […]