Aussie Kids Books

This collection of 13 stories was developed during a series of writing and illustrating workshops with children from remote communities across the Northern Territory and Western Australia. The workshops were run by children’s author Andy Griffiths. Children at the workshops were given the freedom to create stories based on their own life experiences. The stories included in this collection are at turns humorous, dramatic, playful and scary! Each story reflects, in some way, l

This book has been creating quite a stir across the Bookstagram community and with good reason. The engaging young narrator of this picture book introduces her new sibling to the wonders of the world around her. These wonders encompass both broader observations of the world, in relation to the planets and stars and nature, and also more intimate reflections, with the narrator sharing her favourite desserts and creative activities. The illustrations are exquisite, with the you

This delightfully creepy picture book is Mr 3’s new bedtime favourite – he often asks for it to be read twice in one sitting! Luckily this book is a joy to read aloud, with its playful flowing rhymes and smattering of alliteration, ensuring this is a satisfying read for adults and children alike. Young listeners will delight in the story of Vlad, whose lack of tooth brushing has led to unbearably bad breath - bad enough to scare away the undead! Poor Vlad starts to feel a lit

Say Cheese is another picture book that is read regularly in my household (Mr 3 chooses it as his bedtime read almost every night!) If you take a look at this gorgeous book you will see why - the text and illustrations work together seamlessly to create a story full of fun, humour and mayhem, as photographer Maxwell Mouse - and his mice side-kicks - try to take photos of the students at Souths Furriest Public School. This is no easy task, as the unruly animals refuse to coope

This beautiful picture book was read every night to Mr 3 when we had it on loan from the library and he didn't want to return it! It is of course important that we, as adults, love the picture books we are reading to our children (especially if we are reading it every single night!) - but it is even more important that our children love the books we are reading to them, because if they aren't interested in the content there's not much point reading it to them. From my point o

Found is a beautifully written and illustrated picture book which on one level can be read as the story of a young calf left alone when his family is taken away in the back of a truck. On another level, this book is a gentle introduction for the very young to the story of the Stolen Generation, when First Nations children were taken by force from their families. The reader feels the fear and loneliness felt by the young calf when his family is ‘stolen’ by the man with the tru

Illustrated by Balarinji ‘Bush Tracks’ takes its young readers on a meandering journey along the creek, through the mangroves, past the windswept dunes by the salty sea, and finally to the safety of a cave as a wild storm strikes. This beautiful picture book highlights our symbiotic relationship with the environment – there is fresh water to drink near the sand dunes, sticks with which to make spears to hunt for fish, plants to feed us, and caves to seek shelter in. We are re

Admittedly, when I first came across this book I wasn’t sure how I was going to respond to it – I’m never convinced that books based on popular TV shows are going to be a quality read. But of course the kids and I love Bluey (who doesn’t!) so I was open to giving the book a chance. Turns out I really like this cute board book which is easy for small hands to hold, and to flip through the sturdy pages (without tearing!) The Creek is a sweet story about the simple joys of playi

Published by : Magabala Books This exquisite picture book takes us on a journey of the heart as it illuminates the various ways in which family is our ‘heart and home.’ This is a gentle book with a powerful message about the ways in which family keeps us connected – to the people we love, and to the place we live. We are reminded of the importance of being attuned with nature, and of having respect for family and country. It is through our deep connections with family and pla

Illustrated by Karen Briggs This delightful picture book gives voice to kids living in a remote community in the Roper River region of the Northern Territory. The children joyfully share stories about the activities they enjoy, many of which young children reading this book will relate to – such as riding bikes, dancing, and fishing. We hear about other activities too, that may be less familiar - such as lighting fires to clean up country, hunting bush turkey, and coming face

Illustrated by Judy Richards. My three boys and I love A Day at the Zoo, both for the engaging storyline about being brave and trying new things, and for the fun and vivid illustrations. Young readers will delight in following Rose and William’s day of adventure at the zoo, as they observe the zoo animals performing all sorts of tricks. But this is a zoo with a difference – we encounter a tiger on rollerskates, a zebra climbing a rope, and a bike-riding elephant! The animals