Running in Circles by Shivaun Plozza

Running in Circles by Shivaun Plozza (UQP) Running in Circles Guest Blog by Shivaun Plozza for Paperbark Words blog While researching a different book I stumbled across an article on unsolved mysteries in Australia, which included an entry on something called the ‘Tully Saucer Nest.’ When I visit schools for author talks and the kids […]

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 […]

The Boy and the Dog Tree by Fiona Wood

The Boy and the Dog Tree Written by Fiona Wood Illustrated by Judy Watson Published by University of Queensland Press Interview with Fiona Wood Argos had said, ‘Quests do not always announce themselves.’ There was no dragon or treasure or lost kingdom but Mitch had discovered the world anew with Argos. Quests were […]

Music Camp by Penny Tangey

Music Camp by Penny Tangey UQP Guest author post by Penny Tangey for ‘Joy in Books’ at Paperbark Words In Grade 5 I attended an interschool music camp and had the time of my life. I made new friends, laughed, broke rules and played music. Later, I went to other music camps and had intense, […]

Odder by Katherine Applegate, ill. Charles Santoso

Odder: An Otter’s Story by Katherine Applegate & Charles Santoso Long months pass, and it is finally time, Odder knows, for the pup to move on. From her rooftop perch, she watches the cage open, hears the leap into sweet waves, feels the joy of a loved one set free.’ (Odder, words by Katherine Applegate, […]

My Mum is a Bird by Angie Cui, ill. Evie Barrow

My Mum is a Bird by Angie Cui, ill. Evie Barrow Guest Author Post by Angie Cui Thank you for speaking to Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog about your imaginative, affirming picture book My Mum is a Bird, Angie. As a debut author, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect when I first began writing My Mum is a Bird. […]

Little Bones by Sandy Bigna

Little Bones by Sandy Bigna UQP Author Interview with Sandy Bigna about Little Bones “Keep going, Nico whispers as I get higher and higher. My legs are shaking so hard I don’t know how they’re even Supporting me. ‘Keep going,’ Bird echos Nico from inside my bag. My chest wants to explode from the thrashing […]

Leo and Ralph by Peter Carnavas

Leo and Ralph by Peter Carnavas (University of Queensland Press) Winner of the Children’s Book category of the 2025 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards Author/illustrator Interview at PaperbarkWords “Leo dropped the telescope and rolled over, laughing. Ralph always cracked him up like that. They had … dreamt of planets with funny names, imagined the creatures that lived […]

Summer of Shipwrecks by Shivaun Plozza

Summer of Shipwrecks by Shivaun Plozza Published by UQP “How to Stop My Holiday Sucking: A Plan by Sidney Sackbridge. Step one: do something about Hailey. Maybe Hailey really is the absolute coolest person for real but do the math. When it’s just me and Lou, I get one hundred per cent Lou-time, which equals the […]

How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade Five by Carla Fitzgerald

How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade Five by Carla Fitzgerald (published by UQP) Guest Author post about How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade Five by Carla Fitzgerald for Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog I have always loved the Guinness Book of Records: it was a source of utter fascination for me as a […]