Christopher Cheng & Dragon Folding

Christopher Cheng: a career in books featuring Dragon Folding Author Interview at PaperbarkWords Dragon Folding is Christopher Cheng’s most recent picture book (2024), illustrated by Lucia Masciullo & published by Puffin. ****** Thank you for speaking to ‘Joy in Books’ at PaperbarkWords, Christopher. This interview forms a companion piece to our interview in Magpies magazine […]

Pamela Allen

My interview with Pamela Allen to celebrate her 90th year and the publication of her new book, Mr McGee and his Hat is in the Weekend Australian newspaper Saturday 20 July 2024 https://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/review/pamela-allen-still-drawing-for-kids-at-90/news-story/d4a365a71a38c8199bf0153bbb14bbfa Interview with Pamela Allen reproduced in full at the end of this review. More about Pamela Allen and my review of Mr […]

Scar Town by Tristan Bancks

Scar Town by Tristan Bancks Published by Puffin (AU) an imprint of Penguin Random House Australia Inside the CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2024 CBCA Shortlist Inside the 2024 Notable Books Scar Town is the winner of the prestigious CBCA Book of the Year: Younger Reader category and is also declared the winner by children, who […]

Listen, Hippo! Written and illustrated by Gabriel Evans

Listen, Hippo! Written and illustrated by Gabriel Evans Published by Puffin “’I’m feeling sad,’ said Billy. My thoughts are whirling and twirling like a pinwheel. I think what I need is – ’ ‘Aha! As your best friend I know exactly what you need,’ said Hippo.’” (Listen, Hippo!) I jumped at the offer of an […]

Being Jimmy Baxter by Fiona Lloyd

Being Jimmy Baxter by Fiona Lloyd (a Puffin Book from Penguin Random House) Guest author post about Being Jimmy Baxter by Fiona Lloyd for Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog: Uncertainty. It’s an all too familiar word in the wake of the covid pandemic. It’s also the story for my gentle protagonist, 12-year-old Jimmy Branthwaite. […]

Mr Bambuckle’s Remarkables Join Forces by Tim Harris

Mr Bambuckle’s Remarkables Join Forces by Tim Harris “The truth was, Blue Valley School was hurtling so quickly towards dramatic change that it was near impossible to stop. Knowing full well how devastating an impact the change would have on his students, Mr Bambuckle chose carefully to allow his young learners to do the investigating […]

Robin Klein in Letters

Letters from Robin: a voyage around my author by Jon Appleton “I do hope you continue to write when you have a spare moment – I look forward to hearing about your life in the UK. Take care and God bless – love Robin K.” (Robin Klein to Jon Appleton in Letters from Robin) Many […]

Round the Twist with Paul Jennings

Round the Twist with Paul Jennings (and my review of The Lorikeet Tree by Paul Jennings after the interview) It’s time for some nostalgia with much-loved, iconic Australian writer Paul Jennings taking us Round the Twist. Thanks for speaking with Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords, Paul. Round the Twist was originally a children’s TV series […]

Bancks’ Ginger Meggs by Tristan Bancks & Jason Chatfield

Bancks’ Ginger Meggs is a quality hard-cover publication written by Tristan Bancks and illustrated by Jason Chatfield (published by Puffin Books) to celebrate 100 years of the iconic Australian and internationally loved comic strip character Ginger Meggs. Readers will be caught up in the fast-paced, funny adventures of billycart racing and Father’s Day camping shenanigans; […]

The Golden Tower by Belinda Murrell

Belinda Murrell is the author of highly popular children’s series fiction and historical and time-slip novels. Her series include ‘Pippa’s Island’, ‘Lulu Bell’, ‘The Sun Sword’ trilogy and ‘The Timeslip’ series. Her books are warm and rich with appealing characters and entrancing storylines. Thank you for speaking to PaperbarkWords, Belinda. I was captivated by your […]