Poem: Know a River by Gregory Day

‘Know a River’ Poem by Gregory Day from Southsightedness Published by Transit Lounge, 2025 Southsightedness is a beautiful book and artefact. Know A River Know a river any river but know a river. Know that life passes at the river’s pace that staunch limbs get snagged till they twist and easy lissome fronds go floating […]

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 […]

Inside The CBCA 2025 Shortlist & Winners

INSIDE THE CBCA 2025 SHORTLIST & WINNERS The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Shortlisted Books for 2025 have been announced. Follow the links to those books I have already reviewed, or interviewed the author or illustrator, at PaperbarkWords blog. I will add to this list until the winners are announced in August. Congratulations to those creators who […]

The Garden of Broken Things by Freya Blackwood

The Garden of Broken Things by Freya Blackwood (HarperCollins Australia) Inside the 2025 CBCA Shortlist 2025 CBCA Shortlist 2025 CBCA Notable Books Freya Blackwood is one of our most accomplished and highly regarded picture book creators. Two of her books are shortlisted in the 2025 CBCA Picture Book of the Year category: The Garden of […]

From Middle Grade to Picture Books by Pip Harry

From Middle Grade to Picture Books by Pip Harry On the occasion of multi-awarded Pip Harry’s Over and Under? picture book being announced as a CBCA 2025 Notable Book and the publication of The Inside Dog, Pip writes about moving from middle-fiction to picture books. Guest Author Post by Pip Harry for Paperbark Words blog […]

Seedlings Poetry Collection by Tatum Lawn

Seedlings Poetry Collection by Tatum Lawn Illustrated by Shannon Wauchope Foreword by Tess Guinery Guest Author Post by Tatum Lawn ‘Seedlings Poetry Collection’ is a ‘collection of poems for the creatives and dreamers – artists, wordsmiths, designers and makers.’ 🌱 The book is exquisite – and easy to dip in and out of. ‘It is […]

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 […]

Lexie Moon & The Word Burgling Bungle by Melissa Garside

Lexie Moon & The Word Burgling Bungle by Melissa Garside Illustrated by Lauren Mullinder Published by Riveted Press Guest Author Post by Melissa Garside about Lexie Moon & The Word Burgling Bungle Thank you for speaking to Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog about your debut junior novel Lexie Moon & The Word Burgling Bungle, Melissa. In my review of the book […]

Brightest Wild by Tania Crampton-Larking

Brightest Wild by Tania Crampton-Larking Published by Lothian Children’s Books, Hachette Australia “It’s so quiet here. Even though Art has a large yard, it feels better to be here in the bushland. Yellow, brown and green shades glow mysteriously. My heart skips a beat or three with overwhelming awe and wonder. This place is deeply […]