Review: The King's Conservatorium

Garlan and his mute brother Cadell are the leading characters of an exceptional cast of players in this brilliant character-driven novel.

Cadell has a gift. 

He can find things - lost items, answers to questions, or anything else queried by his mind. 

He is extremely bright and kind.

Garlan is not only a brother, but Cadell's friend and protector.

The brothers have a wonderful method of communicating with one another, and the warmth between them is reflected in their every word and action.

While they had their parents, their life was filled with the joy of music and song. But they now have come from a place where the King’s Law restricts pleasures permitted long ago.

Orphaned and living in the worship house, they are allocated a home with a childless couple, in exchange for food, lodging, and labour.

Uncle Barlow and Aunt Sapph (not really related), appear to be warm and accepting. It is when bruises appear on Cadell’s body, that Garlan decides they must run away.

They embark on a great adventure, with countless obstacles to overcome, coming across many good, but also bad people in the places they travelled through. Finding work to survive, they are forced to keep travelling, as the law allowed them to stay for only four days at most, before they have to move on.

They secretly yearn to find the Wall that separates what they have with what they want in life.

Although they have been told this is impossible, nothing is going to stop them searching for a safer and happier future.

An opportunity for this future is within their grasp at the King’s Conservatorium. Voice trials are being undertaken for the selection of the best musicians for the King's entertainment.  The chosen will be given a permanent home.

They have one more day before the trials begin.

Will they make it in time for Garlan to sing his mother’s songs and win for himself and Cadell, a future they dream of?

But the outcomes they imagined and planned for, are not what they encounter.

There are painful decisions to be made. Their travels have taught them a great many things about people and life, resilience, acceptance, sacrifice, and love.

Will these lessons be enough to see them through heartbreaking challenges?

I loved this book! There is a warmth that emanates from the inspiring relationship between the two boys and their attitude to life that touches the reader.

Beautifully constructed as usual, Emma Cameron's work is always a pleasure to read.  

Title: The King's Conservatorium
Author: Emma Cameron   
Publisher: Wombat Rhiza, $ 16.99
Publication Date: 3 September 2025
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781761112720
For ages: 10+
Type: Middle Grade Fiction

Review: The Village Beyond the Mist

It is holiday time for Lina. She is not going to her usual destination, but somewhere different, where her father sends her. 

She is headed for Misty Valley, also known as Absurd Avenue. 

She discovers the reason for this name is due to the unusual occurrences that continuously take place, and the oddest people that come and go in this place. 

It turns out to be exactly what her father called it. Different! 

She ends up at Picotto Hall, owned by the elderly and crusty, Pippity Picotto. A strange and mysterious boarding house where the boarders earn their keep in one form or another. 

Lina is allocated The Clown Room, with the most perfect surroundings and her own bathroom. 

Review: Pocket Potters: Little Guides to the Harry Potter Stories

Especially for Harry Potter fans come a set of books called the Pocket Potters: Little Guides to the harry Potter Stories.

There are three titles in the series out now: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. And they're like a special gift book. Hardcover, full colour, and packed with information. 

Each book is focused on one of the characters (Harry, Hermione, or Ron). 

Working your way through the 32 pages in each book, you're treated to a potted summary of the character's experiences throughout the Harry Potter series.  

The books are highly illustrated, highlighting what's memorable or important about the character and their life at Hogwarts, and at home. 

They progress through the school years with events like being sorted into their houses, playing quidditch, and learning magical spells.

Meet The Illustrator: Sarah Zweck

Name: Sarah Zweck

Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.
Playful, dynamic movement with an emphasis on fun and learning.

What items are an essential part of your creative space?
Space! I’m lucky to have a large, bright studio at home with my materials within easy reach. I also enjoy listening to a podcast or audio book whilst I work.

Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
If I had to choose, it would probably be paint (any kind). As part of my practise, I enjoy experimenting with material play.

Review: Is It Asleep?

The old stump is where Pock and his friend spend quality time watching birds flash by.

Moving further down on the path through beautiful bent and twisted trees, they follow their normal route to the place where the blackbird sings. 

They look everywhere for the bird, but he can’t be found.

They come across it lying under the dark, curving tree trunks on the yellow ground. 

So much life pulses around them, but the bird is still.

They move closer. 

They assume it must be sleeping.  They stand still and quiet, just looking. Waiting for it to awaken.

Review: The Beat I Drum

Connor Bradley is starting High School after moving to a new apartment with his mum. He leaves behind his two best friends and the life-saving support and strong friendship that sustained him. 

His parents divorced because his dad couldn’t come to terms with his condition. 

Connor has Tourette syndrome.

 Dad turns up after two years, changed, and hoping to be a part of his son’s life again. 

His persistence is scoffed at by Connor. 

There is too much anger festering inside him toward his father, as he is unable to forgive his dad for accusing him of being able to control his tics and barks, and won't.

On the first day of school, Connor meets Amanda. 

Guest Post: Emma Cameron on Never Missing the Chance to Share Stories or Knowledge

There’s always the chance for a story. And anyone who knows me, knows I never miss a chance to share one. Or, better still, share a lesson in telling stories.

Last month, I had the most splendid array of bruising on three fingers and half the palm of my left hand. What a fantastic opportunity to have some fun!

‘What happened?’ asked one of my writing students.

‘Wanna hear a story?’ I replied.

She nodded.

‘A boxing match,’ I said. ‘Well … not much of a match, really. He swung, I ducked. I swung, he didn’t.’ I shrugged. ‘He hit the dirt.’

Review: The Poisoned King: Impossible Creatures #2

I have raved over Impossible Creatures since I first ate it up greedily and, trust me, I am not the only one. Evidence of that is in the fact that it was the Children’s Book of the Year in the 2024 British Book Awards, while, at the same time, Katherine was named the Author of the Year – the first children’s author to do so. Is it any wonder? Everything she has written is superlative.

So you can probably imagine my unseemly squeal of excitement when I opened this limited edition proof copy of #2. With great restraint, I finished the last 100 pages of the book I was about to review (at record speed!) and dived straight in. 

Over two nights I was deeply back in the world of the Archipelago. My eyes were getting tired, and I would realise I’d read for an hour in what seemed like mere minutes. Does that tell you something?

It has been a year since Christoper first went to the Archipelago, and he misses it fiercely. He also deeply misses Mal, the Immortal. His heart is full, and though he continues with his ordinary life of school, mates and home, he longs to be back in the realm of glimourie.

Review: Impossible Creatures: Book #1

After waiting for months to have this in my hands, there was never any doubt in my mind that it would be worth that wait. From the first page, it was as if the glimourie was flowing straight off the text and into my fingers, spreading with warmth and delight as I read voraciously.

Christopher Forrester has a strange connection with animals. Ever since he was tiny, animals of all kinds are drawn to him. His father finds this somehow irritating but Christopher secretly enjoys opening his windows at night for the birds to come in, and having foxes nosing his knees.

In a parallel world, Mal is an orphan girl who is able to fly with the aid of a coat given to her, along with her name Malum, by a seer when she was born. Her great-aunt who has raised her, was distrustful of the giver, and sent him away before any more could be known about either coat or child’s destiny.

Guest Post: Jodie McLeod on The Power Of WOW

Birds are an inspiration for books: Jodie McLeod (left) with illustrator Eloise Short

The first time I saw a lyrebird I was completely gobsmacked. I’d just moved to the Blue Mountains, and I’d heard of these strange creatures and their ability to imitate everything from other birds to chainsaws and crying babies, but I hadn’t really considered the outrageousness of that idea.

Then, one misty Mountains morning, a cacophony of birds sounded in my backyard. Well, not birds, but – bird. A lyrebird. Putting on a spectacular show, just for me.

WOW.

Review: The Aussie Twelve Days of Christmas

Author/illustrator Brentos returns for another brilliant exhibition of their unique soft pastel creations with The Aussie12 Days of Christmas. The traditional Christmas song is given an Aussie twist by introducing a different Australian animal on each of the twelve days. 

There are galahs, turtles, goannas, rosellas, wombats and others to discover. 

But who can it be in the gum tree? 

Children will have fun searching for and identifying the list of animals for the day they get up to.

Working through the twelve days of Brentos’ Christmas, the amount of Australian native animals on the page,  increases.

12 Curly Questions with author Tim Winton

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.

 That would be telling. Everyone would know!

2. What is your nickname?
My kids and my grandkids just call me Timmy. Not very special.

3. What is your greatest fear? 

Getting a job where I have to wear a suit and tie – and shoes.

4. Describe your writing style in 10 words. 

It’s about ordinary people in extraordinary situations and amazing places.

Review: Britannica All New Children's Encyclopedia: What We Know & What We Don't

Britannica All New Children's Encyclopedia: What We Know & What We Don't is divided into eight chapters and packed with facts and figures.

Did you know that more than 99.9% of species that have ever existed are not extinct?

Have you ever heard of a quark (part of a proton)?  

This is the perfect browsable encyclopedia, presented with numerous diagrams, timelines, illustrations, and infographics that give it significant visual appeal.

It covers a broad range of subjects, from the endless skies of the universe, and the wonder of the earth, to the human body, ancient history, and the potential of new and emerging technology.

Guest Post: Fiona Dalwood on When Ghosts Hide In Plain Sight

I used to look out of the train during my commutes and notice graffiti in unusual places. 

How did someone manage a giant wheat paste on a wall without being seen? Did a hooded figure dangle someone upside down from the thirty-second floor? Had they taught themselves to draw and write upside down? 

These short glimpses sparked countless questions—moments that felt magical in their mystery or mildly frightening, depending on how tired I was.

Review: Between

Anna Walker is one of those acclaimed and awarded author/illustrators that makes me so very glad to be alive. And I understand she’s from my home-town of Melbourne, so we down south can also take great pleasure in claiming her!

Between is a beautiful offering, recognised and described by Scribble founder and publisher Miriam Rosenbloom thus:

‘It’s a book about difference – but also about empathy, care, the instinct to connect, and the ongoing impact that people have on our lives…

A reminder that beautiful things are still being made with time, heart and intention.’

A cricket and a cabbage moth are living their short lives, doing their daily things, and we the reader are invited into the spaces between them. And also, into their separate worlds and realities, which ultimately collide.

This book is poetry, texture, warmth and heaven all in one. The wording is sparse and definitive. Deliberate, yet expansive.

And the hand-rendered illustrations are extraordinary. Each page brings a new artistic sensibility. A limited colour palette and balance between tight and loose, spatter and stroke, softness and texture, definition and shadow, strength and vulnerability – all contribute to the wonder and delight of this book.

It is absolutely one to become lost in and pore over, whatever your age.

I can see it being the perfect gift for all. For a student setting off into the wider world, a grandparent creating space with less things and more time, a small child with their insatiable curiosity and love of wonder.

Quite simply, it’s sublime.

Title: Between 

Author/Illustrator: Anna Walker
Publisher: Scribble, $24.99
Publication Date: 30 September 2025
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781761381591
For Ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book

Review: Sundays Under The Lemon Tree

Sundays Under The Lemon Tree is a captivating story of togetherness and deliciousness.

It explores traditions around food, cooking, recipes passed down through the generations, the absolute joy of eating and family life – all of which are squished together into a tangle of mouth-watering hope and delight.