Samantha Wheeler & The Lost Island

Samantha Wheeler & The Lost Island Author Interview: Samantha Wheeler Samantha shares her thoughts about nature and her new middle-fiction novel, The Lost Island, with Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog Wonder Before Worry. How books can help children develop closer connections with nature by Samantha Wheeler A connection with nature goes beyond simply being outdoors. We sometimes talk about […]

The Extraordinarily Wonderful Cassandra Golds

The Extraordinarily Wonderful Cassandra Golds: Life, Love and Books Cassandra shares her life, love and books with Joy in Books at Paperbark Words blog The story of my books is really the story of my life—or at least, the story of my inner life. And that’s why my books are about brave mice and romantic […]

Skipping to Sammy’s Beat by Coral Vass, ill. Blithe Fielden

Skipping to Sammy’s Beat by Coral Vass ill. Blithe Fielden New Frontier Publishing Coral Vass speaks to Paperbark Words blog about her life, career and Skipping to Sammy’s Beat, her new picture book for children aged 3-6 years. I’m Coral. I love writing for children. I also love books, chocolate, good coffee, the theatre and the beach. […]

Myra in the Middle by Seetha Dodd

Myra in the Middle by Seetha Dodd, illustrated by Peter Cheong Published by UQP Seetha Dodd writes a guest author post about her impressive debut children’s novel, Myra in the Middle for ‘Joy in Books’ at Paperbark Words. When my sister was born, I was exactly three years and eleven months old. I had been […]

Between by Anna Walker

Between, written & illustrated by Anna Walker Published by Scribble “Between day and night Between near and far …” (Between by Anna Walker) Interview with Anna Walker about Between Between is a poetic, artistic picture book for all ages. It evokes the imaginative, the intangible, the profound… Thank you for speaking about your powerful, contemplative picture […]

Another Year Around the Sun by Katrina Germein, ill. Alice Lindstrom

Another Year Around the Sun by Katrina Germein, illustrated by Alice Lindstrom Affirm Press, Simon & Schuster Another Year Around the Sun – Creators’ Inspiration Katrina Germein In thinking about the inspiration for Another Year Around the Sun, I can’t pinpoint one moment; even revisiting my drafts doesn’t help. It’s just there. A story about […]

When the Mountain Wakes by Matt Shanks

When the Mountain Wakes by Matt Shanks Affirm Press, Simon & Schuster “Somewhere, towards the beginning of time … a mountain rose from the ocean and came to rest above the clouds. Life sang a lullaby, and the mountain slept for many millions of years. Until one day … ” (When the Mountain Wakes) When […]

No Dancing in the Lift: A Memoir by Mandy Sayer

No Dancing in the Lift: A Memoir by Mandy Sayer Published by Transit Lounge, 2025 An edited extract: Mandy Sayer on the enduring legacy of her father’s humour Dad was forever joking, even in the most inappropriate settings. Once, on the way to radiotherapy, he leaned heavily against the lift’s handrail, winked at me and […]

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, […]

TO and FRO by Anton Clifford-Motopi

TO and FRO by Anton Clifford-Motopi Allen & Unwin To and Fro by Anton Clifford-Motopi is shortlisted for the 2025 CBCA Book of the Year: Younger Readers. Congratulations on To and Fro being shortlisted by the CBCA, Anton. I was laughing out loud most of the way through. It also has important themes that you share aptly and originally. […]