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 shortlisted in the CBCA 2024 Book of the Year Younger Readers category. Book review and suggested activities by Joy Lawn (Joy in […]

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 […]

The Tree by Graeme Base

Graeme Base is one of Australia and the world’s foremost picture book creators, renowned for Animalia and The Waterhole, amongst other treasures. His new book, The Tree (Puffin Books) is a fable. It begins timelessly, “This is the story of …” The tale is perfectly formed and elegantly illustrated to show the tree as a […]

Fly & The Lost Library by Jess McGeachin

Fly, written and illustrated by Jess McGeachin (published by Puffin Books) has been shortlisted for the 2020 CBCA Awards for New Illustrator. This award aims to recognise and encourage emerging Australian book illustrators. Jess’s second picture book, The Lost Library has also recently been published. Thank you for speaking to PaperbarkWords, Jess. You’re very welcome! […]