A Weekend With Oscar by Robyn Bavati

ROBYN BAVATI WRITES: ON A WEEKEND WITH OSCAR Several years ago, I joined a local Toastmasters club and met Jacqui, a friendly and outgoing young woman with Down syndrome who attends our meetings with her dad. I have three adult children myself, and two of them had considerable difficulties at school. One of the ongoing […]

How to Make a Bird by Meg McKinlay & Matt Ottley

Inside the CBCA Shortlist “So you will gather it into your hands and cast it gently upon the air.” (How to Make a Bird) How to Make a Bird written by Meg McKinlay, illustrated by Matt Ottley (Walker Books Australia) is shortlisted for the CBCA 2021 Picture Book of the Year. It is an exceptional, […]

Ellie’s Dragon by Bob Graham

Inside the CBCA Shortlist Ellie’s Dragon by Bob Graham (Walker Books Australia) is shortlisted for the CBCA 2021 Picture Book of the Year. It is an exceptional work. Bob Graham is, of course, one of Australia and the world’s best picture book creators for young children. His work is gentle yet piercingly observant, humorous yet […]

INTRODUCING D’LILA LARUE

Introducing D’Lila LaRue by Nette Hilton and illustrated by A. Yi, published by Walker Books Australia The wonderful Nette Hilton has sent this message about her new book for 5-8 year-olds. My newest book is called ‘Introducing D’Lila LaRue’ and I thought, as I discovered her one day when I was on a book idea […]

Counting, Kindness & Courage in Picture Books

Picture Books from Walker Books Australia Ten Little Figs by Rhian Williams & Nathaniel Eckstrom Bear in Space by Deborah Abela & Marjorie Crosby-Fairall The Biscuit Maker by Sue Lawson & Liz Anelli To the Bridge: The Journey of Lennie and Ginger Mick by Corinne Fenton & Andrew McLean Ten Little Figs by Rhian Williams […]

Where Snow Angels Go by Maggie O’Farrell

Where Snow Angels Go by Maggie O’Farrell, illustrated by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini Where Snow Angels Go is a sumptuous Christmas gift book by Maggie O’Farrell, Edinburgh-based author of the acclaimed novel for adults, Hamnet, a tale of William Shakespeare’s son. Where Snow Angels Go is an illustrated work in picture book form. It is an […]

Nature Storybooks

Reviews of Natural History Picture Books from Walker Books Australia Kookaburra by Claire Saxby, illustrated by Tannya Harricks Inside the CBCA Shortlist Dry to Dry: The Seasons of Kakadu by Pamela Freeman, illustrated by Liz Anelli Two new outstanding picture books in Walker Books (Australia) Nature Storybooks series are Kookaburra and Dry to Dry. Like […]

Tribal Lores by Archimede Fusillo

“But you’re from different tribes, Frankie. Us and them, we’re from different places mentally, historically, geographically, you know. It courses in our blood, all that stuff our parents brought over with them from the old country, even if we were born here. It’s part of who we are, good or bad.” (Tribal Lores) Archimede Fusillo […]

The Secrets of Magnolia Moon by Edwina Wyatt

Inside the CBCA Shortlist The Secrets of Magnolia Moon by Edwina Wyatt, illustrated by Katherine Quinn (Walker Books Australia) is shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council of Australia in the Book of the Year: Younger Readers category. The Secrets of Magnolia Moon is an appealing story about Magnolia Moon told in lyrical, engaging writing. Congratulations […]

Lisa Kennedy’s Artwork in Wilam: A Birrarung Story

Inside the CBCA Shortlist Wilam: A Birrarung Story is shortlisted for the 2020 CBCA Eve Pownall Award. In this review, I will focus on the illustrations by Lisa Kennedy. The illustrations in Wilam: A Birrarung Story (written by Aunty Joy Murphy & Andrew Kelly, published by Black Dog Books, Walker Books Australia) are by emerging […]