Aussie Kids Books

Book Reviews

Welcome to my blog! This blog is a celebration of Australian children's fiction - including young adult, middle grade, junior fiction, and picture books.

Read on for my reviews!

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PD McPem's Agency for Mysterious Mysteries: The Recorder Racket, by Anna Battese

Sandy

4 days ago
1 min

PD McPem's Agency for Mysterious Mysteries: The Recorder Racket, by Anna Battese

Illustrations by Ruth-Mary Smith I love kids books that celebrate inter-generational relationships, and this one does so beautifully. In...

1 view0 comments

Ghostie, by Stephanie Owen Reeder, illustrated by Mel Armstrong

Sandy

4 days ago
2 min

Ghostie, by Stephanie Owen Reeder, illustrated by Mel Armstrong

Did you have an imaginary friend when you were little? I did for a while - he was a mischievous elf (although I can't remember his name!)...

22 views0 comments

Sandy

May 11
2 min

The Way of Dog by Zana Fraillon

This stunning verse novel for middlegrade readers is such a joy to read - lyrical, moving and unique. The story is told from the...

16 views0 comments

Sandy

May 10
2 min

My Shadow is Purple, by Scott Stuart

I'm always on the lookout for kids books that challenge gender stereotypes and empower kids to embrace their true selves, and this book...

11 views0 comments

Get Ready, Mama! by Sharon Giltrow; illustrated by Arielle Li

Sandy

Apr 30
2 min

Get Ready, Mama! by Sharon Giltrow; illustrated by Arielle Li

It's my stop on the book campaign for this humorous and heartwarming picturebook. 'Get Ready, Mama!' When you have young children, it can...

3 views0 comments

The Calling of Jackdaw Hollow, by Kate Gordon

Sandy

Apr 30
2 min

The Calling of Jackdaw Hollow, by Kate Gordon

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of the first two books in this beautifully lyrical series (The Heartsong of Wonder Quinn and The...

9 views0 comments

Little Wombat's Easter Surprise, by Charles Fuge

Sandy

Apr 14
1 min

Little Wombat's Easter Surprise, by Charles Fuge

Easter eggs are always popular in our household in the leadup to Easter. If you're looking for an Easter read for your littlies with an...

10 views0 comments

Ming & Flo Fight for the Future, by Jackie French

Sandy

Apr 14
2 min

Ming & Flo Fight for the Future, by Jackie French

This story for middlegrade readers is empowering and captivating, showing young readers that girls can do anything! The author, Jackie...

23 views0 comments

Amma's Sari, by Sandhya Parappukkaran; Illustrated by Michele Pereira

Sandy

Apr 4
2 min

Amma's Sari, by Sandhya Parappukkaran; Illustrated by Michele Pereira

This gorgeous picture book about parent-child connection, culture and identity, and learning to take pride in who you are, is just...

9 views0 comments

Sandy

Apr 1
3 min

The Bravest Word, by Kate Foster

This is such a beautifully written and powerful read which shines a light on mental health in kids (particularly young boys). As the...

29 views0 comments

Eric the Awkward Orc, by Alex Dyson, Art by Laura Wood

Sandy

Mar 20
2 min

Eric the Awkward Orc, by Alex Dyson, Art by Laura Wood

I love picture books that celebrate having the courage to be true to yourself, and this picture book written by Alex Dyson does so with...

9 views0 comments

Sandy

Mar 12
2 min

Anything But Fine, by Tobias Madden

This story starts with a life changing incident, with ballet dancer Luca missing a step on a flight of stairs and shattering his foot,...

4 views0 comments

Wednesday Weeks series, by Cristy Burne & Denis Knight

Sandy

Mar 12
1 min

Wednesday Weeks series, by Cristy Burne & Denis Knight

Magic meets science in this wildly entertaining and gripping series from Cristy Burne and Denis Knight. Wednesday Weeks doesn't mean to...

24 views0 comments

Sandy

Mar 1
1 min

CBCA 2022 Notables

The 2022 Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Notable books have been announced. These are a big deal in the Australian children's...

17 views0 comments

Sandy

Feb 28
2 min

What Snail Knows, by Kathryn Apel

Illustrations by Mandy Foot. This beautifully constructed verse novel for younger readers gently illuminates themes of loneliness,...

80 views0 comments

From My Head to my Toes, I Say What Goes, by Charlotte Barkla & Jacqui Lee

Sandy

Feb 15
2 min

From My Head to my Toes, I Say What Goes, by Charlotte Barkla & Jacqui Lee

It's so important that we as parents and carers are able to open up discussion - or answer questions from children - in relation to...

30 views0 comments

Sandy

Feb 15
1 min

Pawcasso, by Remi Lai

Pawcasso is a heartwarming graphic novel about the bond between humans and animals, loneliness and belonging, new friendships and family...

14 views0 comments

Frankie Goes to Kindergarten, by Peta Baxter & Connie Hemmens; illustrated by Marjory Gardner

Sandy

Feb 15
2 min

Frankie Goes to Kindergarten, by Peta Baxter & Connie Hemmens; illustrated by Marjory Gardner

This book arrived in our household at the perfect time, as Mr 5 started kindy this year! While he was excited to join his brothers at...

12 views1 comment

Sandy

Jan 25
1 min

Hey Jack! 10 Year Anniversary editions

We are all huge fans of the Hey Jack! series of books, so when these three new books arrived in our household they were immediately...

13 views0 comments

Sandy

Jan 25
2 min

Four Picture Books We Loved in 2021

Poppy the Punk Turtle, by Aleesah Darlison & Mel Matthews This fun and informative picture book shines a light on the endangered Mary...

24 views0 comments

Aussie Kids Books

PD McPem's Agency for Mysterious Mysteries: The Recorder Racket, by Anna Battese

Ghostie, by Stephanie Owen Reeder, illustrated by Mel Armstrong

The Way of Dog by Zana Fraillon

My Shadow is Purple, by Scott Stuart

Get Ready, Mama! by Sharon Giltrow; illustrated by Arielle Li

The Calling of Jackdaw Hollow, by Kate Gordon

Little Wombat's Easter Surprise, by Charles Fuge

Ming & Flo Fight for the Future, by Jackie French

Amma's Sari, by Sandhya Parappukkaran; Illustrated by Michele Pereira

The Bravest Word, by Kate Foster

Eric the Awkward Orc, by Alex Dyson, Art by Laura Wood

Anything But Fine, by Tobias Madden

Wednesday Weeks series, by Cristy Burne & Denis Knight

CBCA 2022 Notables

What Snail Knows, by Kathryn Apel

From My Head to my Toes, I Say What Goes, by Charlotte Barkla & Jacqui Lee

Pawcasso, by Remi Lai

Frankie Goes to Kindergarten, by Peta Baxter & Connie Hemmens; illustrated by Marjory Gardner

Hey Jack! 10 Year Anniversary editions

Four Picture Books We Loved in 2021

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