Review: What's that Splat?

‘Sometimes a splat is just a splat
but sometimes a splat is
much more than that!’

From the creators of the Children’s Book Council Notable, What is a Dot? Comes, What’s that Splat? The perfect companion book, that once again challenges the imagination and encourages creativity in both the reader and the child being read to.

Review: Your Feelings Matter

Your Feelings Matter is an empowering and accessible book for young children. It encourages them to recognise, name and understand their feelings, as well as providing helpful strategies for moving through them.

At the book’s heart is the idea that feelings are never wrong or shameful, they are simply messages our brains and bodies are telling us about what is important.

‘Your feelings are never wrong.

 Your feelings are made to be felt.

Your feelings matter.’

Review: Don't Forget to Smile

Behind the elegance, discipline and applause of the ballet world lies a demanding culture of perfection, and Ariane Beeston's Don't Forget to Smile offers an honest and compelling glimpse behind the curtain.

Told through the alternating perspectives of Clara, Elle and Ben, three talented young dancers competing for a coveted place at the International Ballet Grand Prix, the novel explores what it truly costs to pursue excellence. Each protagonist faces their own personal battle: Clara struggles with the expectations of fitting the traditional ballet mould, while Elle and Ben challenge outdated attitudes and entrenched power structures within the dance world. As their individual journeys unfold, an unexpected scandal draws the trio together in surprising ways.

Review:Max and the Haircut

Meet Max, who is just about to experience his very first visit to the hairdresser.

Before we even begin reading, Samareh Azadi invites us into Max's world through the adorable front cover. I loved the way hairdressing tools are cleverly woven into the title design and continue throughout the endpapers. These thoughtful details immediately set the scene and encourage readers to look closely.

This relatable story is told from Max's point of view, allowing readers to step into his shoes and experience the world through his eyes. One of my favourite moments appears on the very first page when Max proudly introduces himself: "I look like a lion! Roar!" It is a delightful opening that instantly captures Max's personality and draws readers into the story.

As Max arrives at the hair salon, he quickly discovers that it is much brighter, noisier and busier than he expected. For many children, this experience will feel very familiar. What makes this story particularly special is the way it gently shows how Wendy, the caring hairdresser, takes the time to understand Max and support him through the experience. Rather than expecting Max to simply cope, Wendy adapts and innovates, helping to reduce his anxiety and build his confidence. The result is a positive experience where Max leaves feeling proud of both himself and his new haircut.

The illustrations are engaging and full of meaning. Throughout the story, Samareh uses animals to represent Max's emotions. This visual technique helps readers understand what Max is experiencing internally and opens the door for rich conversations about emotions.

At home and at school, this sensitive and thoughtful story provides many opportunities for discussion. Readers can explore the powerful message that we are all different, and sometimes we simply need to discover what works best for us. It also encourages conversations about the wide range of feelings we experience, making connections to past experiences, preparing for new experiences, and celebrating the strategies we can use when we feel anxious or overwhelmed.

Max and the Haircut is a warm, reassuring story that offers comfort when we face something new, uncertain, or challenging. It reminds readers that understanding, patience and flexibility can make all the difference. A wonderful book for families, classrooms and anyone supporting children as they navigate new experiences.

Title: Max and the Haircut
Author/Illustrator: Samareh Azadi
Publisher: Otter-Barry Books
Publication Date: 7 May 2026
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781915659798
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book

Review: Detective Beans and the Map of Mystery

Detective Beans is back in another full length graphic novel and no doubt his fans will be rejoicing. 

If you haven’t met Detective Beans yet it is time to join him and his sidekick, Biscuits, in their quest to solve a tricky mystery.

Decked out in his trench coat and using his newly acquired walkie talkie, this loveable kitten once again stumbles upon clues that will take him on an exciting treasure hunt and distract him from cleaning his room! 

Beans visits Captain Scuttlebeard, the reluctant pirate, to return a letter mistakenly delivered to his house. Whilst aboard his ship, Captain Scuttlebeard gives him a treasure map and Beans decides to put his detective skills into action. He begins to unravel each clue in the hope of finding a real treasure. 

Review: Benny's Bad Day (Choose Your Ending Book #1)

Have you ever been reading a book where the character does something and you think, ‘No! Why did you do that? You should have done …’? 

It can be so frustrating when the author sends their character off in the ‘wrong’ direction.

Or when the ending is not the ending you would have chosen.

If you find yourself wishing that you had more control over what your favourite characters were doing, then Nathan Luff’s new Choose Your Ending series is probably what you’re looking for.

Review: I am Brown

'I am brown. 

I am beautiful 

I am perfect’ 

I am Brown is an inviting and poetic picture book that celebrates pride, culture and diversity.

The colour palette is rich and warm, highlighting the children and their beautiful brown skin tones, hair types and eye colours.

Hear from kids all over the world about what they like to eat and what they wear. Learn about the languages they speak and the places they go to pray. 

See their hopes for the future, their passions and gifts, and that no two children are exactly the same.

Review: Wanted: The Cutest Baby in the World

Sometimes, it is worth reading the author’s dedication first: 

‘For tired parents everywhere – your tiny master criminals are lucky to have you’.

Davina Bell’s dedication sums up the entire premise of Wanted: The Cutest Baby in the World better than any blurb could.

When the detective arrives at Mum and Dad’s house, it's very late at night, which is okay because everyone’s awake anyway. 

Meet the Illustrator: Brenton E. McKenna

Name, title, location
Brenton E. McKenna, Author/Illustrator, Broome, Western Australia

Describe your illustration style in ten words or fewer.
Manga, Marvel and Disney meet Kimberley kid bush graffiti.

What items are an essential part of your creative space?
My blue graphite pen, an empty scrapbook and heaps of random reference material.

Review: Sketch

Sketch is an impactful story, a picture book for older readers, created by Canadian illustrator and political cartoonist Jacques Goldstyn. 

It shares a message of hope for anyone who feels alone, out of place or misunderstood. 

Right from when Sketch was born, there was something different about him, both in looks and actions. 

In his home town, which is neat and picture perfect, and everything and everyone have their place, Sketch just doesn’t seem to fit in. 

Review: Australian Geographic - World's Most Freaky

If you love animals and love being able to wow your friends with random fun facts, then Australian Geographic’s World’s Most Freaky is for you.

 
Sorted by world regions and with plenty of ‘freaky’ animal facts clearly sectioned with a photo and a small amount of text, this book allows readers to either dip in and out or devour the details from cover to cover.

The facts within are not intended to horrify, repulse or make you cringe – as the title word ‘freaky’ may imply – but rather to intrigue, fascinate and elicit the ‘wow – no way!’ factor. The whole point is to open your eyes to the uniqueness and tenacity of nature, with a side dose of awareness, so we can all step towards conserving these beautiful creatures for generations to come.

 

Sunday Shelfie - Valerie: Australia's Bravest Sausage Dog

Happy #sundsyshelfie day! It is my pleasure to welcome Lucinda Gifford. This week we are celebrating Lucinda’s delightful picture book Valerie: Australia’s Bravest Sausage Dog.

Join Valerie on her unforgettable journey and discover just how far a brave little dog can go!

Living the beach life and riding the swells. 
Practising backstroke and digging up shells.
Dining on oysters and fancy ice cream... 
Valerie knew she was living the dream.

All over Australia and all around the world, people fell in love with Valerie - the bold-hearted dachshund who escaped a campground on Kangaroo Island and roamed the wilderness for over 500 days before being reunited with her loving owners.

Written and illustrated by Lucinda Gifford
Published by Allen and Unwin

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12 Curly Questions with children's author Julianne Negri

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.

My natural hair colour is dark brown.

2. What is your nickname?
When I was little, my family called me Fizzgig.

3. What is your greatest fear?
Easy. Vampires. So scared of vampires!

4. Describe your writing style in ten words.
Don’t need ten, just one: chaotic. Although that’s six words...

Review: Learning You By Heart

Some books beg to be read aloud while you’re snuggled up with the ones you love. Sarah Wallace’s newest book, illustrated by Michelle Conn, is one of those books.

A lullaby for a precious child, Learning You By Heart captures a mother’s absolute devotion to her child as she delights in every smile, every touch and every breath.

 
Learning something ‘by heart’ usually refers to the rote memorisation of times tables, spelling words or scientific formulae at school. It involves close observation, repeated actions and intense focus.

Review: The Game of Oaths

It's 1896 in Paris, where the Game of Oaths is held annually underneath the glittering spectacle of the magical Cirque des Ombres. But behind the sparkling spectacle, the circus performers are bound to the ringmaster Enchanteur Jean-Pierre by magical contracts - meaning the performers can never leave. 

Every year, 12 performers are chosen to take part in the Game of Oaths, an underground, brutal tournament watched by the elite - however, only the winner will make it out alive. 

Haunted by the death of her sister in the game the year prior, when seventeen year old Falan is selected to take part, she only has one thing on her mind - revenge. 

As she is thrown into a world of shifting alliances, dangerous magic and blood-thirsty opponents, Falan must decide who she can trust to help her win the game and fulfil her quest for revenge. 

Review: The Not So Quiet Life of Marcel Marceau

Like most people I opened The Not so Quiet Life of Marcel Marceau knowing very little about the man beyond the typical mime gags. After reading, I was actually disappointed in myself that I had never learned more, for Marcel Marceau was a truly exceptional human being. From fleeing his home in Strasburg as a child and watching friends and family being marched off to concentration camps, to joining the French Resistance and being instrumental in saving countless lives. This was all before becoming a world famous performer who was still touring the world, well into his 80’s.