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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Real Pigeons: Duck Trouble (#9); by Andrew McDonald & Ben Woods

Sandy

Sep 28, 2022
1 min

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 book one was released back in 2018. We love that these books are fast-paced - with large text font and engaging illustrations on every page to break up the text. We also love that the stories are full of humour and mystery. The seamless combination of text and illustrations are cleverly designed to hook kids into reading. In this latest book i

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The Super Adventures of Ollie & Bea, by Renee Treml

Sandy

Aug 7, 2022
1 min

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 For), I rushed out to add them to our collection! Ollie is an owl who wears glasses and Bea is a bunny who is self-conscious about her big feet. But when they meet each other and become friends, they find that their differences no longer seem to matter. Together Ollie and Bea find their inner superhero, learn that looking silly doesn't matter

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School of Monsters: Bug's First Day and Jem's Big Idea, by Sally Rippin, art by Chris Kennett

Sandy

Jul 2, 2022
2 min

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 series on my page here) - so you can imagine our excitement when we heard there were new books coming out in the series about a whole new class of monsters! Wheeee! Mr 5 and I have read the first two books in the new series on repeat. In Bug's First Day, all the monsters are busily engaged in learning - but poor little Bug just wants to hide hims

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Moth in a Fancy Cardigan, by Charlotte Lance; art by David Booth

Sandy

Jun 9, 2022
1 min

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, who just wants to be seen, and Florence the colourful butterfly, who longs to fade into the background. But their outward appearances mean there are certain expectations placed on them in regard to how they should behave, and how others see them. So what happens when the two accidentally switch cardigans at school one day? This book is a work

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A Sprinkle of Sadie, by Lana Spasevski, art by Joanie Stone

Sandy

Jun 4, 2022
1 min

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 first book in the series includes three stories in which Sadie Le the superstar baker endeavours to throw a surprise party for her mum, bake cupcakes for a fundraising day, and welcome a new teacher to her class. But sometimes things don't go to plan...throw in the occasional cooking disaster and some escaped chickens, and things can get a lit

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

Sandy

May 21, 2022
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 this charming and humorous junior fiction book, Penelope Delores McPem (aka PD McPem) and her puppy Scooter have a mystery to solve - her mum's old recorder (which PD has been using to play Christmas carols) has gone missing at her grandparent's house! Who could have taken it? Luckily PD has Grandpa's old coat, hat and magnifying glass to en

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Sandy

Mar 1, 2022
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 book industry, and I feel like we all wait with bated breath for the announcement each year. The awards are a wonderful way to celebrate some of our amazing children's books (which of course is what I aim to do via this blog!) Here are just a selection of the books that were included in the Notables list. These have all been reviewed/featur

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Sandy

Feb 28, 2022
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, belonging, kindness, friendship and family. It will both break your heart and make you smile. Lucy and her Dad are always on the move, packing all their belongings into the old brown car and moving on to the next place. Lucy's Dad says they don't need anyone else - but Lucy's not so sure - what would happen if they needed help, or dad got sick - w

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The Underdogs (books 1 & 2), by Kate & Jol Temple; illustrated by Shiloh Gordon

Sandy

Nov 15, 2021
2 min

The Underdogs (books 1 & 2), by Kate & Jol Temple; illustrated by Shiloh Gordon

"I really like these books because they make me laugh. I like that there is a mystery to solve, it keeps me interested in the story. The pictures are really cool too. If you like dogs and a mystery story that's also funny then you'll like these books." (Max, 7). We are huge fans of the Underdog series. We loved the suspense, the humour, and the engaging illustrations. These books are suitable for such a large age range - perfect read aloud books for younger readers who aren't

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Sass and Traz Save the Library, by Michelle Worthington; illustrated by Naomi Greaves

Sandy

Nov 12, 2021
1 min

Sass and Traz Save the Library, by Michelle Worthington; illustrated by Naomi Greaves

If you love libraries and books, then you'll love this fun action-packed adventure story. Sass and Traz are twins who don't always agree on everything - but what they do have in common is a love of their local library. It provides a safe space and refuge for them when the outside world feels too big and noisy. The librarian, Ms Burns, always has a selection of books ready for them when they visit. So when Ms Burns breaks the bad news that the library is going to be shut down,

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You Are the Magic, by Jordana Borensztajn; illustrated by Paul Gorn

Sandy

Jul 16, 2021
2 min

You Are the Magic, by Jordana Borensztajn; illustrated by Paul Gorn

This beautiful collection of inspiring and empowering rhymes for children will make your heart sing. Each rhyme is a sparkling celebration of the magic and joy of childhood. I love that these poems encourage children to practise kindness and compassion, to themselves and each other. I also love that young readers are empowered through this book to allow themselves to dream and wonder and create. It is true that, while children don't have a lot of power or control in their ext

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Sandy

Jul 4, 2021
2 min

Mina and the Whole Wide World

I absolutely adore verse novels and have been eagerly anticipating this new verse novel by Sherryl Clark. Mina and the Whole Wide World is a gentle and touching story which illuminates the enduring power of kindness and friendship. Mina can't wait to move into her very own bedroom - she even has a box of special stuff to put in her new room, including the globe of the world she found at a garage sale. But her dream of having her own space is shattered when her parents make th

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School of Fish: Fintastic Four, by Louis Shea

Sandy

Jun 1, 2021
2 min

School of Fish: Fintastic Four, by Louis Shea

My kids love reading about underwater adventures - there is something mysterious and engaging about this whole other world that exists, often unseen, beneath the sea. When I came across this book in the Scholastic Bookclub catalogue I knew we had to have it - and it did not disappoint. We were immediately drawn into the cool watery world of Finn the shark and his friends, who are intent on solving the mystery of why the new kid - Philippa - keeps mysteriously disappearing fro

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Mini Book Review: Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories, by Jeff Kinney

Sandy

Apr 26, 2021
1 min

Mini Book Review: Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories, by Jeff Kinney

Mr 8 loved this book and wanted to share a quick review, so here it is: "I loved this book because the author had some very creative ideas. The stories were a little bit scary but mostly funny. They made me laugh and also kept me interested. The pictures were great as they added humour. My favourite story was The Scanner, about a security scanner at the airport which turned people into skeletons! Kids who like funny, spooky stories with cool pictures and lots of creative idea

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The Nerd Herd, by Nathan Luff and Chris Kennett

Sandy

Mar 23, 2021
2 min

The Nerd Herd, by Nathan Luff and Chris Kennett

Mr 6 and I loved reading this book together. Here are Mr 6's thoughts on The Nerd Herd: "This was a good story and very funny. I liked how Baarnabus and his friends tried to work together to stop the fox stealing the chickens. It kept me interested to see what was going to happen. There were funny jokes in this book. I liked the drawings, they are cool and also made me laugh. I think if you like the Hotdog books you will like this book too." (Max, 6) This is a fun well-crafte

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Danger Versus the Ranger, and Danger & The Good Book, written and illustrated by Lindsay Holliday

Sandy

Dec 22, 2020
2 min

Danger Versus the Ranger, and Danger & The Good Book, written and illustrated by Lindsay Holliday

Mr 8 and I loved having the opportunity to read the first and second books in the ‘Danger’ series, which follow the adventures of eleven-year-old Danger, who’s just moved to a new town and is ready to explore his new surroundings. In Danger Versus the Ranger (book 1 of the series), Danger devises a plan to buy a boat so he can sail across to Kookaburra Island. He has no money, but plenty of determination and resilience, and quickly lands a job walking dogs. What Danger doesn’

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Sandy

Dec 6, 2020
2 min

Rockhopping, by Trace Bella

This picture book, in the style of a graphic novel, is an engrossing account of young Clancy’s adventure with Uncle Egg, around Gariwerd (the Grampian mountains in Victoria) to find the source of the Glenelg River. The story flows in a meandering way, much as a river might – at times reflective and gentle, at other times rushing ahead. At first Clancy is distracted by external discomforts, such as his heavy backpack, and sore feet – but eventually, as he adjusts to the physic

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The Quest Diaries of Max Crack, by Jules Faber

Sandy

Dec 5, 2020
2 min

The Quest Diaries of Max Crack, by Jules Faber

The Quest Diaries of Max Crack bristles with energy, action and adventure. As the story opens, our young protagonist, Max Crack, has moved with his family to a new town. In order to help with his adjustment to being the new kid, Max sets himself a series of quests, including making a new friend, winning a trophy and solving a mystery. The reader is immediately launched into the action as Max starts to explore his new surroundings. The town has flooded, so what else is there t

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Billie B Brown & Hey Jack: The Book Buddies, by Sally Rippin, illustrated by Ari Fukuoka

Sandy

Oct 18, 2020
2 min

Billie B Brown & Hey Jack: The Book Buddies, by Sally Rippin, illustrated by Ari Fukuoka

Australian Reading Hour Special Edition This special edition 'Billie B Brown & Hey Jack!' book is a joy to read. We are big fans of the 'Hey Jack!' books in my household. Mr 6 is particularly loving these books as he can now read them by himself, which gives him a sense of accomplishment. The short sentences are manageable for emerging readers and the use of some more difficult words add additional challenge for those kids keen to expand upon their vocabulary. Jack and Billie

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Wombat, Mudlark & other stories, by Helen Milroy

Sandy

Oct 17, 2020
2 min

Wombat, Mudlark & other stories, by Helen Milroy

The enduring power of friendship, and being kind and helpful to others, are themes that link the eight stories in this book together. The animal protagonists in these stories show kindness, creativity, connection with community, and courage. Dingo and Moon help each other find their way in the darkness of night; Mudlark helps the Sun grieve the loss of his grandmother; the Sky and the Penguin help the Whale find his family. The animals and nature rely on each other, illuminat

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