We cover news, reviews, interviews, articles, guest posts, events, specialist literacy articles and much more, attracting readers from all over the world including teachers, librarians, industry professionals and parents and kids. We are currently proud to achieve up to 70,000 hits per month and are one of the most respected literary sites on the web.
We receive books from major Australian publishers, indie publishers, international publishers and self-publishers for review (click here to find out how your book could be reviewed), and we use our considerable social networking skills to further promote and enhance any book appearance on KBR.
For more information on our review policy see POLICY. We also have very limited advertising slots available for a reasonable fee. Contact us for more.
The Team
Kids Book Review is run by a literary line-up of seriously book-loving women, with contributions from a number of other book-addicts. Keep reading to learn more about us, and see our CONTACT page for contact/book review details.
Title: Managing Editor
Location: Newcastle
A bit about: Susan is a freelance writer, avid reader and self-confessed lover of big words. She thinks getting lost in a good book is one of life's great pleasures. Susan has written for a number of parenting magazines and review websites as well as contributing to a book on children's creativity due for release in late 2013. She is a passionate advocate for encouraging and supporting creativity in all its forms in children and adults. Susan lives in Newcastle with her husband and three children. She firmly believe that there is no such thing as too many books, although her husband remains unconvinced. See www.readingupsidedown.com for more.
Title: KBR Founder + Editor-At-Large
Location: Canberra
A bit about: Tania is an author of both adult and children’s books, an experienced editor, magazine writer, blogger and publisher. She has an unholy addiction to picture books but also loves travel, photography, and book layout and design, which she has done for several of her books. Her latest titles include Australian Story: An illustrated timeline (NLA Publishing) and Riley and the Grumpy Wombat: a journey around Melbourne (Ford Street), with four new titles due for release in 2013. Tania is an advocate for juvenile literacy and is a past ambassador for the National Year of Reading (2012). She currently lives in Canberra with a very supportive husband, two gorgeous kids and a towering mountain of books. See www.taniamccartney.com for more.
Title: Editor
Location: Hunter Valley
A bit about: Anouska has nearly twenty years' experience in the book publishing industry. She is a publishing consultant and editor and is obsessed by all things to do with words, writing and books. She is also the author of an as yet unpublished children's manuscript, with ideas for many more lurking in her head! Anouska lives with her husband and young daughter on a small acreage where she tries hard to practise sustainable living, but often fails. When she is not reading for work or pleasure, she can be found playing with her three horses, battling the bugs in her vegetable garden, and dreaming of new travel destinations. She firmly believes that one of the best parts of being a mother is discovering all the wonderful kids' books out there.
Title: Editor
Location: Melbourne
A bit about: Peta has always been addicted to books and has never been able to walk out of a bookshop with just one purchase. A love of reading has led to a love of writing. Over the years she has been a Nanowrimo participant, had articles published in magazines and even co-wrote a screenplay. It wasn’t until she started reading books to her young sons that she was reintroduced to the glorious world of children’s books.
When not reviewing, reading or writing children’s books, Peta works part-time as a vet, and is a Mum to two boys. These two jobs give her plenty of inspiration for writing.
Title: Development Editor
Location: Melbourne
A bit about: A paediatric speech pathologist, Jo is passionate about hooking reluctant readers into the world of books. As a reviewer of children’s and YA books and shortlisting judge for Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year, Jo is familiar with effective writing for Upper Primary and Secondary students. She's tackled subjects such as bi-polar disorder, addiction, and more recently, 'Juveniles in Jails'. Her innovative approach to history combines documentary extracts, mini scripts for performance and quirky factional narration to involve younger readers.
Title: Consultant Librarian
Location: Canberra
A bit about: Sarah is a former Children's and Young Adult Librarian with more than 18 years experience working in public libraries. She loves books, architecture, travel, history, art and design, and genealogy. Sarah comes from a family of readers and has shelves full to bursting with books that fall into the categories of 'want to read', 'already read', and 'read again'. She rarely leaves home without her well-stocked eReader, and loves to share books with family and friends. Sarah agrees with Samuel Johnson's view that “Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information upon it.” Quite appropriate for a librarian.
Just some of the wonderful things people say about KBR . . .
The best books, reviewed with insight, charm but without compromise. - author Jackie French
Just wanted to say thank you for the fantastic reviews you post. I utilise your blog as a trusted resource on a regular basis. As a bookseller, bloggers like yourself assist us so much in what we communicate to our customers. Your hard work is appreciated. Thank you for your passion. - Jacqui from Collins Booksellers and ABC Centre
You are doing a wonderful job with Kids Book Review and in a relatively short time have built a rock-solid reputation for excellent reviews and articles. - author Sandy Fussell
One of my favourite blogs, Kids Book Review was started by Canberra author Tania McCartney. It is full of interviews with authors/illustrators/librarians, book reviews, articles on literacy and reading, articles by children on why they like the books they like, profiles, links to other blogs, websites in the children’s literature world, writing tips, you name it! It is very easy to spend hours at this blog and everyone will get something out of it. I still marvel at {this} blog. It must take hours to provide all that content. It’s fabulous. - Buzz Words editor Vicki Stanton
I'm a big fan! - author/illustrator Felice Arena
I'm amazed by your site - there's a LOT of content on there. I've barely skimmed the surface, but I've already found so many interesting pieces and interviews. - author/illustrator Andrew Joyner
I really appreciate the obvious love and care you have for books and with which you put your website together. - British author/illustrator Grahame Baker-Smith
You have a really wonderful site and I have referred it to many friends with little people to buy for. - Karen Peace, mum
