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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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NCACL launches new Picture Books for Older Readers (PBOR) Database
I'm so excited that the Picture Books for Older Readers (PBOR) Database has just been launched by the National Centre for Australian...
Sandy
Jul 1, 20232 min read
Completely Normal (and other lies), by Biffy James
This is a young adult novel you won't want to put down! I was immediately invested in the protagonist, 16-year-old Stella, whose...
Sandy
Sep 28, 20222 min read
Real Pigeons: Duck Trouble (#9); by Andrew McDonald & Ben Woods
Real Pigeons is a fabulously fun series about a worldwide network of pigeons that fight crime. The boys and I have been big fans since...
Sandy
Sep 28, 20221 min read
Solomon Macaroni and the Cousin Catastrophe; by Ashleigh Barton
I adored this fabulously funny and delightfully creepy story about family, old magic, and courage. Solomon Macaroni is not like other...
Sandy
Aug 13, 20222 min read
My Extraordinary Mum; by Dani Vee, illustrated by Alexandra Colombo
My Extraordinary Mum is a joyful celebration of all the ways in which mums can be free-spirited, creative, kind and adventurous! A young...
Sandy
Aug 13, 20222 min read
The Super Adventures of Ollie & Bea, by Renee Treml
When two new books in this fun graphic novel series for younger readers were recently released Wise Quackers and Bats What Friends Are...
Sandy
Aug 7, 20221 min read
Arabella's Alphabet, by Suzy Zail & illustrated by Christopher Nielsen
Arabella's Alphabet is a wonderous celebration of books, reading and libraries. As a former children's librarian, this book captured my...
Sandy
Aug 7, 20222 min read
Hello Every Body! by Samantha Curcio
Hello Every Body! is such a joyous celebration of the way our bodies are all unique, and encourages us to embrace our differences....
Sandy
Jul 2, 20222 min read
School of Monsters: Bug's First Day and Jem's Big Idea, by Sally Rippin, art by Chris Kennett
It's no secret that we are a little bit obsessed with the School of Monsters books in our household (I have previously reviewed the...
Sandy
Jul 2, 20222 min read
Big Magic, by Sarah Armstrong
If you love a circus setting and magic and a strong female protagonist, then this middlegrade novel might just be the story for you....
Sandy
Jun 24, 20222 min read
Moth in a Fancy Cardigan, by Charlotte Lance; art by David Booth
This delightfully quirky and heart-warming book for middlegrade readers tells the story from the unique perspectives of Gary Grey Moth,...
Sandy
Jun 9, 20221 min read
Stellarphant, by James Foley
In this engaging picture book written and illustrated by James Foley, Stella the elephant refuses to give up on her dream of becoming an...
Sandy
Jun 4, 20222 min read
A Sprinkle of Sadie, by Lana Spasevski, art by Joanie Stone
This super sweet junior fiction series will have you wanting to whip up a batch of cupcakes even if (like me) you aren't a baker! This...
Sandy
Jun 4, 20221 min read
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...
Sandy
May 21, 20221 min read
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!)...
Sandy
May 21, 20222 min read
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...
Sandy
May 11, 20222 min read
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...
Sandy
May 10, 20222 min read
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...
Sandy
Apr 30, 20222 min read
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...
Sandy
Apr 30, 20222 min read
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...
Sandy
Apr 14, 20221 min read
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