Make Them Say Poo: a gross book perfect for giggles by Stephen (Steve MinOn), illustrated by Rudi de Wet

Make Them Say Poo: a gross book perfect for giggles by Stephen (Steve MinOn), illustrated by Rudi de Wet (Affirm Press, Simon & Schuster) Make Them Say Poo: a gross book perfect for giggles is a subversively funny picture book filled with hidden surprises. It delights in trickery, wordplay and fun. Thank you for speaking to PaperbarkWords, […]

Spotlight on Jo Dabrowski Inside the CBCA Shortlist

Spotlight on Jo Dabrowski Inside the CBCA Shortlist Dear Broccoli Shortlisted 2026 CBCA Picture Book of the Year Written by Jo Dabrowski, Illustrated by Cate James (Affirm Press) The Thing About Christmas Shortlisted 2026 CBCA Early Childhood Written by Jo Dabrowski, illustrated by Briony Stewart (Little Book Press) The Making of Martha Mayfield Notable Book […]

The Embarrassing Confessions of Gracie Sparks by Fiona Harris

The Embarrassing Confessions of Gracie Sparks by Fiona Harris Affirm Press, Simon & Schuster Extract from Gracie’s diary in The Embarrassing Confessions of Gracie Sparks at PaperbarkWords blog 4 pm After a very average start, I’m happy to report that today turned into one of my top five birthdays of all time. My best friends, […]

Tom Jellett & Will Fin Win, The Train at the End of My Street …

Interview with Tom Jellett, featuring Will Fin Win? from the ‘Your Next Read’ series & The Train at the End of My Street – Joy Lawn interviews Tom Jellett at Paperbark Words blog about Your Next Read, The Train at the End of My Street and his books and cartoons – Thank you for speaking to […]

Integrity (Handbooks for Little Humans) by Zanni Louise

Integrity (Handbooks for Little Humans) by Zanni Louise (Simon & Schuster) Zanni Louise writes about ‘Integrity’, the new book in her ‘Handbooks for Little Humans’ series for 4-8 year-olds, for PaperbarkWords blog. Written by Zanni Louise Illustrated by Jingting Wang Guest Author: Zanni Louise What is Integrity and why is it important when building relationships? Zanni Louise, author of Handbooks […]

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 […]

Gail Jones, Hannah Kent, Sophie Laguna & Book Reviews for ArtsHub

My book reviews for ArtsHub The Name of the Sister by Gail Jones (Text Publishing) https://www.artshub.com.au/news/reviews/book-review-the-name-of-the-sister-gail-jones-2801217/ My other book reviews for ArtsHub Always Home, Always Homesick by Hannah Kent Hannah Kent’s new book is Always Home, Always Homesick. It a memoir about her time living in Iceland and the writing of Burial Rites. (Pan Macmillan […]

How to Survive 1985 by Tegan Bennett Daylight

How to Survive 1985 by Tegan Bennett Daylight (Simon & Schuster) “ ‘There’s a lot more buildings in 2025,’ I said to Julia as we walked along the Quay to the bottom of George Street. It was such a weird feeling, like the twenty-first century was a kind of hologram hanging over the 1980s.” (How […]

Brave in Every Which Way by Maddy Mara

Brave in Every Which Way by Maddy Mara ill. Lauren Degraaf Published by Affirm Press Author Interview with Maddy Mara Congratulations on the publication of your important, affirming picture book, Brave in Every Which Way, Maddy Mara, and thank you for speaking with Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords. Guest Author Post by Maddy Mara about Brave Every Which Way Maddy […]