Title: ‘The Ghost Locket’Author: Allison RushbyCover and internal design: Rovina Cai  Publisher: Walker BooksAge Range: middle primary, upper primary, middle gradeThemes: mystery, ghosts, haunted house, London Click on ‘Buy from Booktopia’ when shopping online in Australia to #supportaustralian. Apple and […]

Tony Flowers is one of my favourite illustrators in the Australian children’s book industry and I eargerly anticipate each new project with his name on in it. His latest work is ‘Advance Australia Fair’ and I was so intrigued about […]

I laughed, teared up (several times) and applauded enthusiastically from the first note to the final bow of ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) last night. We could all do with being transported to a […]

Dr Sam Lloyd is entirely the correct person to review this book as not only is she a fabulous neighbour (oh the baked goods, chats and gin) but her yard is a wonderful riot of native plants, chooks, hedges of […]

Title: ‘Elsewhere Girls’Author: Emily Gale & Nova WeetmanPublisher: Text PublishingAge Range: from 10+, upper primary, lower secondary.Themes: friendship, family, courage, pressure, sport, elite sport, academics, timeslip, history, feminism, women, women in history, equality. Teachers’ Notes: Publisher Website Click on ‘Buy […]

I am a Book Week tragic from way back. As a child I have vivid memories of planning my Book Week costumes with my teacher librarian mum, my favourite being the year my sister and I went as gumnut babies from […]

Title: ‘Enough Love?’ Author: Maggie HutchingsIllustrator: Evie Barrow Publisher: Affirm PressAge Range: lower primary, middle primary.Themes: family, family changes, family love, blended families, relationships, identity, step parenting, same sex relationships, siblings, step siblings, parenting. Teacher’s Notes by Affirm Press can […]

Many moons ago, when I was a young classroom teacher and still bopping around at raves and weekend music festivals, I lived for Book Week costume planning. My love for over the top rave and festival outfits was poured into […]

National NAIDOC Week is a celebration of 65,000 years of history, culture and achievements and an opportunity to discuss and action a just future. Story has the power to educate and to heal and below you will find some of […]

Title: ‘The Surprising Power Of A Good Dumpling’Author: Wai ChimPublisher: Allen & Unwin (2019)Awards: Shortlisted Best Young Adult Literature, Prime Minister’s Literary Awards 2020 AU; Shortlisted Readings Young Adult Book Prize 2020 AU; Shortlisted Book of the Year for Older […]