The Emperor’s Egg by Rae Tan

The Emperor’s Egg written & illustrated by Rae Tan Published by Lothian Children’s Books, Hachette Australia Picture Book review & how to use the book by Joy Lawn (Joy in Books) at Paperbark Words blog “ ‘All the creatures are out except mine.’ ‘It’s all right, Ren,’ Papa says, ‘You’ve given Bao Bao all your love and […]

EIGHTY-NINE QUESTIONS FOR AFTER by Ashleigh Barton

EIGHTY-NINE QUESTIONS FOR AFTER by Ashleigh Barton Lothian Children’s Books Ashleigh Barton writes about her wise, compassionate middle-grade novel, Eighty-nine Questions for After for Joy in Books at Paperbark Words blog Eighty-nine Questions After – Unanswerable Questions Guest author post by Ashleigh Barton Eighty-nine Questions for After centres around Ester Star’s list of unanswerable questions. […]

My Dreamtime Match by Jacinta Daniher & Taylor Hampton, ill. Janelle Burger

My Dreamtime Match by Jacinta Daniher & Taylor Hampton, ill. Janelle Burger (Lothian Children’s Books, Hachette Australia) “AFL is my number one, I play until the day is done. Today with every kick and bound, We celebrate the Indigenous Round. With every goal, I cheer with glee, An AFL star I hope to be. Footy […]

The Peach King by Inga Simpson, ill. Tannya Harricks

The Peach King: A contemporary fable about the resilience of nature written by Inga Simpson, illustrated by Tannya Harricks Lothian Children’s Books, Hachette Australia Interview with Inga Simpson & Tannya Harricks about The Peach King “When Little Peach Tree was just a sapling, not much more than a stick bending in the breeze, all they could […]

Our Dance by Jacinta Daniher and Taylor Hampton, ill. Janelle Burger

Our Dance by Jacinta Daniher and Taylor Hampton, ill. Janelle Burger Lothian Books, Hachette Australia Finding Our Rhythm: The Journey of Writing ‘Our Dance’ Jacinta Daniher and Taylor Hampton write about creating their exuberant interactive picture book, Our Dance with Janelle Burger for PaperbarkWords blog: Taylor Hampton is a proud Ngiyampaa/Wiradjuri man and Jacinta Daniher is an early […]

How to Sail to Somewhere by Ashleigh Barton

How to Sail to Somewhere by Ashleigh Barton Lothian Children’s Books (Hachette Australia) Author Interview with Ashleigh Barton about How to Sail to Somewhere ‘I have used to go there with my mum. She loved books. She said they were the adventure you could have when you couldn’t have an adventure. Whatever that means.’ (How […]

From Middle Grade to Picture Books by Pip Harry

From Middle Grade to Picture Books by Pip Harry On the occasion of multi-awarded Pip Harry’s Over and Under? picture book being announced as a CBCA 2025 Notable Book and the publication of The Inside Dog, Pip writes about moving from middle-fiction to picture books. Guest Author Post by Pip Harry for Paperbark Words blog […]

Brightest Wild by Tania Crampton-Larking

Brightest Wild by Tania Crampton-Larking Published by Lothian Children’s Books, Hachette Australia “It’s so quiet here. Even though Art has a large yard, it feels better to be here in the bushland. Yellow, brown and green shades glow mysteriously. My heart skips a beat or three with overwhelming awe and wonder. This place is deeply […]

Six Summers of Tash and Leopold by Danielle Binks

Six Summers of Tash and Leopold by Danielle Binks Author Interview at PaperbarkWords “And I stayed on the bridge, watching as she walked back to where she’d dumped her helmet and board outside my house. She gathered her things back up to ride home. By then I’d gone back to leaning over the railing, looking […]

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 […]