Review: Animalia 40th Anniversary Edition

Some picture books are read. Others are explored, investigated and returned to again and again. Animalia is definitely the latter.

This book has been a favourite in every one of my classrooms. It was always well loved, and I can still remember the excitement as children discovered something new hiding in the illustrations each time, we opened the book.

Created by the brilliant Graeme Base, Animalia takes readers on an alphabetic adventure, with every page packed with extraordinary detail. From the very first glance at the front cover, there is an invitation to look closely. What can you spot? What might you have missed? What will you discover next time?

And then there is the language!

Alliteration is one of the standout features of this book. Each letter introduces a playful collection of words beginning with the same sound, creating phrases that are delicious to say aloud. Animalia makes playing with language feel like fun rather than work, and there is something wonderfully satisfying about hearing children repeat those tongue-twisting phrases with enormous smiles.

Of course, the illustrations are where the real treasure hunt begins. Every spread is filled with fascinating details, tiny characters and clever visual surprises. It is the perfect book for curious minds, keen observers and anyone who loves art.

In the classroom

There are so many ways to turn Animalia into a springboard for learning.

Lucky dip a letter and challenge learners to generate as many powerful or interesting words as they can. Can they find words they have never used before?

Invite learners to choose an animal they adore and create their own Animalia-style page using alliteration. An animal, a collection of carefully chosen words and a whole lot of imagination can result in some fabulous writing.

Publish writing into individual posters, create colourful bunting for the classroom or collate the pages into a class book for everyone to enjoy.

And at home? Simply choose a page and look closely together. Ask, “What can you see?” then “What else?” You might be surprised by how long one page can keep a child talking, laughing and searching.

I was also delighted to see the beautiful 40th anniversary collector’s edition, complete with foiling. It is a gorgeous celebration of an Australian picture book classic. I particularly adore the genuine message from Graeme Base on the title page. It feels like a lovely little connection between the creator and the readers who have loved Animalia across generations.

And now there is even more Animalia fun with the release of a colouring book, giving young artists another opportunity to step inside Graeme Base’s wonderfully detailed world.

Forty years on, Animalia still has the magic. It encourages children to look closely, listen carefully, play with language and notice the extraordinary in the ordinary.

If you have an old classroom favourite that still has children gathering around the pages, pull it off the shelf and share it again. And if Animalia is new to your family or classroom, prepare to lose yourself in the details!


Title: Animalia 40th Anniversary Edition
Author /Illustrator: Graeme Base
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Date: 1st of  September 2026
Format: Hard Back
ISBN: 9781761622311
For ages: 5+
Type: Picture Book

Review: Emma Memma: Auslan Alphabet

Learn the Auslan alphabet from A-Z with Emma Memma and Elvin Melvin in this beautifully presented fingerspelling picture book. 

On each page you will find a clear photo of Emma or Elvin signing a letter of the Auslan alphabet, along with an illustration of the correct finger position. 

In addition, there is a helpful guide to some everyday Auslan words and phrases such as Hello, My Name and Thank You. At the back of the book is a QR code linking to the Auslan videos for all of Emma Memma’s books. 

Sunday Shelfie - Starfish Can't Ride Bikes!

Happy #sundayshelfie day! It is my pleasure to welcome Jess Horn and Mo Davey.

This week we are celebrating Jess and Mo’s delightful picture book Starfish Can’t Ride Bikes!

When the animals say starfish can’t ride bikes, Starfish has news for them: it’s the bike that can’t be ridden. Can they make the perfect bike, and will it be enough to get Starfish pedalling?

A bold and original take on accessibility with a twist you won’t see coming

Written by Jess Horn
Illustrated by Mo Davey
Published by Larrikin House 

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Review: We Did It Anyway

What starts as a week of camping, beaches and hanging out with friends takes a very unexpected turn in We Did It Anyway when Alex, Otto and Jasper discover a fortune in gold bars. Unfortunately, they’re not the only ones interested in the treasure.

Carla Salmon’s follow-up to We Saw What You Started brings back many of the elements that made the first book such an enjoyable read: short, fast-paced chapters, plenty of friendship, a touch of romance and just enough danger to keep the pages turning. When the boys find themselves on the run from armed smugglers, their holiday takes a decidedly more dangerous direction. Meanwhile, Luna and Milly are left wondering what has happened when the boys fail to show up at their designated rendezvous.

Review: John Farnham

“You’re the voice, try and understand it…”

Do you remember taking the time to bravely write your name inside the front cover of your Little Golden Book? There is something rather special about seeing that familiar golden spine and knowing you are about to open a book that might become a favourite.

This Little Golden Book biography celebrates an Australian music legend, John Farnham, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. In fact, I found myself singing along as I read!

The realistic image of John on the front cover immediately sets the scene for this non-fiction text. And of course, there is that wonderfully traditional Little Golden Book size and binding that makes these books instantly recognisable. This biography is part of a series introducing young readers to the lives and achievements of well-known people.

Review: To All The Boys I've Loved Before: Graphic Novel

If you’re looking for a quick, sweet read with all the charm of a teen rom-com, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before in graphic novel form is a fun place to start.

Based on Jenny Han’s hugely popular novel, this adaptation follows Lara Jean, whose secret love letters — carefully written for every boy she has ever loved but never intended to send — suddenly make their way into the real world. Cue misunderstandings, unexpected relationships and plenty of romantic complications.

Review: Monsters

It’s that time of year again when the market is flooded with themed books about Halloween that generally have a very short window of readability. Once the holiday is over, the books are usually shelved to hopefully make a reappearance next year. But sometimes a book comes along that is perfect to be read at this time of year and will also continue to be a favourite throughout the following months.

Review: Funcles

Imagine having a family so large that you have a ‘gazillion uncles’. 

If you had to make a family tree poster for school, how big would it need to be? 

Ginormous - that's how big!

This is exactly what happens in Funcles when a child is tasked with creating a family tree for a school project and excitedly tells his teacher that he’ll need more than one worksheet.

Review: Otis Ottley and the School in the Sky

Otis Ottley and the School in the Sky by Will Kostakis is an engaging and enjoyable read that combines magic with some surprisingly meaningful themes.

Otis lives in the shadow of the Manor School for Magic, a mysterious school floating above his town. Like many children, he dreams of visiting it, but Otis has a very personal reason for wanting to get inside. Determined to find a way in, he is willing to bend a few rules along the way.

The story has a simple storyline that quickly draws readers in. It is easy to follow without feeling dull, making it a good choice for readers who are just beginning to explore chapter books or who prefer a shorter, more accessible read. There is enough magic, mystery and possibility to keep the story moving, while Otis himself is an appealing character to follow.

Review: Oceanforged 3: The Sinking Ruins

Two Oceanforged Armour pieces located – three to go. Cori’s quest is far from over.

In Oceanforged 3: The Sinking Ruins, Cori and her friends, Jem and Tarn, are on the hunt for the third Oceanforged piece, having already located the gauntlet and hauberk tunic; this time finding themselves on the secretive island of Halycon.

Cori is the 26th Champion and is tasked with finding all five pieces of armour to save her world. But it’s a task that, in true epic adventure style, is proving tricky and treacherous.

When the trio arrives on the island, the danger they are in is immediately obvious. 

Sunday Shelfie - Sunny Gets to Work

Happy #sundayshelfie day! It is my pleasure to welcome Zanni Louise and Susie Oh. This week we are celebrating Zanni and Susie’s gorgeous picture book Sunny Gets to Work.

Sunny’s home has always been chaotic, but recently it’s gotten OUT OF HAND!

When Mama tries to order pizza using the remote and Dad falls asleep in the baby’s bed, Sunny decides it’s time to step in. After all, even grown-ups need help sometimes.
But as Sunny takes over running the household, he learns that it’s A LOT HARDER than he thought. 

Perfect for busy families, this heartwarming and humorous picture book shows that no matter how messy life gets, it’s okay to make mistakes, as long as you stick together.

Written by Zanni Louise
Illustrated by Susie Oh
Published by Penguin Books Australia 

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12 Curly Questions with Lucy Robertson

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.

I can only listen to my car radio if the volume is at an even number. I don’t know why.

2. What is your nickname?
Loopy

3. What is your greatest fear?
Long division and heights. Being stuck on a roof with math homework would be the scariest day ever.

Review: Sagittarius Rising

Every kid wants a pet. Some will go to great lengths to get one, not realising, perhaps, that owning a pet is not always fun and games. (Although, mostly it is.)

Tip is desperate for a dog. Her parents are cautious, though.

Undeterred, Tip tries one tactic after another until – BINGO! – a tiny puppy is left abandoned at the markets. Tip and her parents can’t just leave it there, can they?

As expected, and despite her parents’ insistence that they need to find a home for it, this puppy worms its way first into Mum’s heart and then Dad’s.

Lo and behold, the puppy has a home. Let the fun begin!

Review: Some Dads- 15th Anniversary Edition

Some books make you smile. Some books make you giggle. And then there are books that have you grinning before you have even turned the first page!

I did smile when I opened the 15th Anniversary Edition of Some Dads by Nick Bland. I remembered reading the first edition with learners in classrooms and enjoying every minute. And that front cover? It made me giggle straight away. You just know you are in for some fun!

The excitement begins on the title page where we meet a very excited monkey. That energy carries right through the story as Nick introduces us to a wonderfully entertaining cast of animal dads.

Nick’s clever use of human traits in his animal characters creates a fun, imaginative world. It also gives young writers a wonderful opportunity to explore big ideas without always needing to write about real people. What might happen if a gorilla, penguin or crocodile became the star of your story?

There is plenty here for young readers too. The rhyming structure invites children to predict what might come next, build fluency and experiment with reading with expression. I can already hear homes and classrooms filled with children joining in!

And the illustrations are superb. Spend some time looking closely at the pictures and hunting for the clues that help us understand each character. Then make connections with your own family. Which animal reminds you of someone you know?

I also love the possibilities for creating with this book. Learners could borrow Nick’s cloud-shaped lettering from the heading and experiment with creating their own eye-catching title. After sharing their favourite page, they could choose their favourite animal, write their own page about a dad and publish the pages together as a class book.

And that ending? It filled me with joy!

Whether you are sharing Some Dads at home or in your classroom, this book invites laughter, conversation, prediction, and creativity.

And if you know a new dad or an experienced dad who deserves a little bookish fun, this will make a perfect gift!

Grab a copy, find someone to read it with and see which dad makes you smile the most!

Title: Some Dads- 15th Anniversary Edition
Author/Illustrator: Nick Bland
Publisher: Scholastic Australia / Scholastic Press
Publication Date: 1st July 2026
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781761723841
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book

Review: Once Upon a Harbour

The first thing that may strike you about Once Upon a Harbour is David Elliot’s artwork.

The illustrations are not bright, bold and colourful as we may have come to expect in picture books – and therein lies their charm. 

For comparison, maybe think of Maurice Sendak's illustrations in Where the Wild Things Are. In the same way, David Elliot gives us detailed images you can lose yourself in for hours – long after you’ve finished reading.

Review: There's a Chicken in the House

It’s a question we often ask ourselves. If the wind blew open your door and a chicken walked in what would you do? Well lucky for us There’s a Chicken in the House answers that exact question.

Perfect for young readers, Sonya Hartnett has written a sweet humorous tale about a curious chicken who comes for a visit and doesn’t want to leave. There is flapping, pooing and egg laying and a whole lot of strutting. Everything you would expect from a chicken.