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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Hachette Kids Readalong: A Crocodile in the Family, by Kitty Black, illustrated by Daron Parton

Sandy

Apr 26, 2021
1 min

Hachette Kids Readalong: A Crocodile in the Family, by Kitty Black, illustrated by Daron Parton

The boys and I were very lucky to be gifted a copy of this fun and heart-warming book as part of the Hachette Kids Readalong. A family of...

1 view0 comments

Hachette Kids Readalong: Dugong Magic, by Deborah Kelly; illustrated by Lisa Stewart

Sandy

Apr 21, 2021
1 min

Hachette Kids Readalong: Dugong Magic, by Deborah Kelly; illustrated by Lisa Stewart

The boys and I were very excited to be joining in a readalong of quality picture books, hosted by Hachette Kids Australia/New Zealand and...

4 views0 comments

Sandy

Apr 10, 2021
2 min

Metal Fish Falling Snow, by Cath Moore

This is a beautifully articulated #loveozya own voices story about grief, family and identity. There are so many reasons why I love this...

5 views0 comments

Easter Hat-Astrophe, by Rory H Mather; illustrated by James Hart

Sandy

Apr 10, 2021
1 min

Easter Hat-Astrophe, by Rory H Mather; illustrated by James Hart

The Easter bunny delivered this fun and colourful picture book to our household much to the delight of my kids - they love Easter-themed...

6 views0 comments

Sandy

Apr 2, 2021
3 min

Sunburnt Veils, by Sara Haghdoosti

This young adult own voices novel by debut author Sara Haghdoosti is compelling reading - smart, funny and edgy, with a feminist and...

24 views0 comments

Sandy

Apr 2, 2021
3 min

Loner, by Georgina Young

Loner won the 2019 Text YA fiction prize and I can absolutely see why. I will start by saying that it took me a few chapters to feel...

7 views0 comments

Claire Malone Changes the World, by Nadia L. King & Alisa Knatko

Sandy

Mar 26, 2021
2 min

Claire Malone Changes the World, by Nadia L. King & Alisa Knatko

I really love this unique and beautifully crafted picture book – particularly for its strong and innovative protagonist Claire, who...

8 views0 comments

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...

26 views0 comments

Mo and Crow, by Jo Kasch and Jonathan Bentley

Sandy

Mar 15, 2021
2 min

Mo and Crow, by Jo Kasch and Jonathan Bentley

This is one of those beautifully heart-warming picture books where the words and the illustrations work together in perfect harmony, the...

12 views0 comments

The End of the World is Bigger Than Love, by Davina Bell

Sandy

Mar 12, 2021
3 min

The End of the World is Bigger Than Love, by Davina Bell

Wow. This book left me breathless with the sheer scope and depth and beauty of it. It is a powerful and emotive read set in a dystopian...

9 views0 comments

Just Peachy by Michaela Skilney, illustrated by Vikki Chiu

Sandy

Mar 5, 2021
2 min

Just Peachy by Michaela Skilney, illustrated by Vikki Chiu

There is much humour and heart in this gorgeous story of a little burlesque dancing peach named Dita, whose dream is to dance on the...

6 views0 comments

Sandy

Mar 4, 2021
2 min

A Glasshouse of Stars by Shirley Marr

This is a beautifully crafted magical story for middle grade readers which made my heart feel like bursting with all the sadness and...

7 views0 comments

My Girragundji, by Meme McDonald & Boori Monty Pryor

Sandy

Mar 1, 2021
2 min

My Girragundji, by Meme McDonald & Boori Monty Pryor

This beautiful little book was awarded the CBCA Book of the Year for Younger Readers in 1999, and this is the 20th anniversary edition of...

1 view0 comments

Sandy

Feb 28, 2021
1 min

Raw Blue, by Kirsty Eager

This powerful, moving young adult novel has a backdrop of surfing and the ocean weaving through the narrative, making it the perfect...

0 views0 comments

You Were Made For Me, by Jenna Guillaume

Sandy

Feb 16, 2021
1 min

You Were Made For Me, by Jenna Guillaume

You Were Made for Me is a fun and addictive story for young adults, which I devoured over the Christmas break. I loved the voice of the...

12 views0 comments

Stupid Carrots, by David Campbell; illustrated by Daron Parton

Sandy

Feb 15, 2021
2 min

Stupid Carrots, by David Campbell; illustrated by Daron Parton

This book has become a huge favourite in our household and is chosen regularly by Mr 4 as his bedtime read. We love this book for its...

9 views0 comments

Girl of the Southern Sea, by Michelle Kadarusman

Sandy

Jan 30, 2021
2 min

Girl of the Southern Sea, by Michelle Kadarusman

This is an empowering, moving and beautifully articulated story of loss and grief and family love, of finding your inner strength against...

11 views0 comments

The Heartsong of Wonder Quinn, by Kate Gordon

Sandy

Jan 27, 2021
2 min

The Heartsong of Wonder Quinn, by Kate Gordon

This enchanting story for middlegrade readers is at once both uplifting and heartbreaking. It has the dreamy flow and rhythm of a...

15 views0 comments

Living on Stolen Land, by Ambelin Kwaymullina

Sandy

Jan 27, 2021
2 min

Living on Stolen Land, by Ambelin Kwaymullina

'You are living on stolen land what can you do about it?’ (p.6). This book is a poignant, empowering call for action, which exposes the...

6 views0 comments

A Day at the Beach, by Cassie Roberts; illustrated by Judy Richards

Sandy

Jan 18, 2021
1 min

A Day at the Beach, by Cassie Roberts; illustrated by Judy Richards

Not only does this picture book have perfect summer vibes, with its beach setting and bright sun-drenched illustrations, but it also...

29 views0 comments

Aussie Kids Books

Hachette Kids Readalong: A Crocodile in the Family, by Kitty Black, illustrated by Daron Parton

Hachette Kids Readalong: Dugong Magic, by Deborah Kelly; illustrated by Lisa Stewart

Metal Fish Falling Snow, by Cath Moore

Easter Hat-Astrophe, by Rory H Mather; illustrated by James Hart

Sunburnt Veils, by Sara Haghdoosti

Loner, by Georgina Young

Claire Malone Changes the World, by Nadia L. King & Alisa Knatko

The Nerd Herd, by Nathan Luff and Chris Kennett

Mo and Crow, by Jo Kasch and Jonathan Bentley

The End of the World is Bigger Than Love, by Davina Bell

Just Peachy by Michaela Skilney, illustrated by Vikki Chiu

A Glasshouse of Stars by Shirley Marr

My Girragundji, by Meme McDonald & Boori Monty Pryor

Raw Blue, by Kirsty Eager

You Were Made For Me, by Jenna Guillaume

Stupid Carrots, by David Campbell; illustrated by Daron Parton

Girl of the Southern Sea, by Michelle Kadarusman

The Heartsong of Wonder Quinn, by Kate Gordon

Living on Stolen Land, by Ambelin Kwaymullina

A Day at the Beach, by Cassie Roberts; illustrated by Judy Richards

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