Review: Reach For The Sky

Stories that quietly set your soul soaring are not always abundant. 

To relay a tale based on true life with the perfect balance of sensitivity and fact without sinking into a mire of sentimentality requires a deft narrative voice and strong will, attributes Singaporean author, Evelyn Sue Wong has in spades.

Reach For the Sky records the story of her father and his big sky dream; to fly. 

I am not unfamiliar with notions of ‘dreaming big and flying high’, being well acquainted with a plucky little pigeon (aka Pippa) with similar aspirations. The major difference between Robert Shun Wong and afore mentioned pigeon however is that one has wings and one had to build his own. And build them, he does.

Review: Leo and Ralph

Just because you couldn’t see something, didn’t mean it wasn’t there.

This is the noteworthy phrase in Peter Carnavas’ latest multi awarded middle grade novel, Leo and Ralph. It sums up a multitude of wisdoms and ironically my theory that the more brilliant the writing, the more difficult it is to articulate an appraisal of it.  

Carnavas has created another one of those conundrums for me as this story is suffused with so many fine and memorable moving moments, I hardly know where to begin. 

Leo and Ralph possess a little more clarity. They both know exactly how it all started. With a white balloon, a shift in time and space, a shimmer of imagination and the realisation of a wish come true.

Ralph’s arrival is less perturbing for Leo than one might imagine for despite his alien appearance and raspy voice, his penchant for play matches Leo’s own. 

Review: Wombat Dreaming

What a gorgeous book this is. As well as a purring rhythmic narrative from master crafter Caz Goodwin, the illustrations from emerging artist Zoe Bennett are to die for. 

Well, maybe we don’t need to be that dramatic but you know what I mean.

Lil desperately wanted

to join in the class.

But each time she tried,

She’d land PLONK on the grass.

Review: Rosie's Garden

Rosie’s favourite thing in the world to do, is to dig. She finds all manner of mysteries deep in the ground, and forges new friendships when she’s in the community garden, next door to her little stoop and green front door.

There’s Mr Delagatti who collects seeds, Annika who plays the violin, and even Esmerelda the chicken, who likes worms for breakfast!
But then, things change for Rosie. 

A large company with noisy, powerful machines takes over the precious little garden and builds a towering skyscraper in its place. Where will the friends go? 

Review: I Am Not An Owl

A wonderful collaboration between Rhonda Ooi and Mel Corrigan, this delightful book contains layers of narrative and information depicted through both words and illustrations.

‘He can hum like a cricket and tell you all about Tasmanian devils.’

Our curious narrator Alexander is working very hard to NOT have a daytime sleep, and nocturnal animals are his go-to rationale (what is mummy actually talking about?, I’m not a nocturnal animal who needs to sleep in the daytime!).

And so begins a cheerful and mischievous adventure.

Review: Higher Ground

A unique and stunning graphic novel, Higher Ground presents the issue of floods, the destruction caused by Nature, and the abandoned places flooding creates. 

It focuses entirely on a family - a grandmother, two children, and a rabbit, and the choices they make. 

Survival is utmost. As they move to the top of their apartment building, a shed becomes their refuge. 

The entire building is transformed into an immovable object in the flooded waters.

Their wait for help proves futile and after many days, they realise that help isn’t coming.

Guest Posts: Rebecca Fung on Creating A New Children's Press

After I'd written two children's chapter books, I wanted to publish a middle grade novel. 

Everyone talks about how wearying pitching is so I thought - how about publishing it myself? And how about starting our very own new children's press?

I've worked in publishing before so this didn't seem too far-fetched. My last foray in the publishing world though was very different - I worked in legal publishing. There, books often have pages more dedicated to footnotes than the main text! As an editor, you fuss about, ensuring all those Latin legal terms are spelled correctly.

Review: Tilly In A Tangle

This multi-layered book is sheer delight and well deserving of its CBCA 2025 notable listing.

What do we do when things get in a tangle?
Do we tussle and struggle? Or do we try something different?

We all have a little bit of Tilly inside us - an adventurer who is happy, headstrong and independent.

We all need to push our own boundaries now and then, for interest’s sake if nothing else. And we’ve all experienced being in a tangle, a tight spot or a pickle, because we wouldn’t be human if we hadn’t.

Guest Post: Romi Sharp on Getting Lost In The Pages

When it comes to kids and reading, it’s natural that we’d love for them to get lost in a good book on a regular basis. To get lost in the pages. To get lost in the words. To get lost in the moment and of course, in imagination. 

Children’s books allow us to get lost in different worlds, in alternate realities, or even just a thought about a notion that hadn’t been considered before. 

They are the pinnacle of where wonder, dreams, truths and make-believes can take us. 

And picture books? They add that extra cherry on top with their ability to invite viewers to get lost in the art. But why is this important?

Review: Hairbrain Saves The Ocean

If you’ve ever lived with an inventor you’ll know that they can talk themselves (and you) into anything. That’s what Hairbrain does - talks himself into being the inventor that saves the ocean, singlehandedly (apart from when he enlists the unwavering help of his very patient and rather ingenious little sister, Zammy).

This is a story about how I came with a MASSIVELY brainy plan to CELAN up all the disgusting pollution on the beach to help save the whole WORLD!!!!!!

(And also save my own school holidays)

(Which is not so important as saving the world, I know)

(But I thought I’d mention it anyway)

(In case you guys are interested)

This book from beloved duo Danny Katz and Mitch Vane (think ‘Little Lunch!’) bears all their hallmark signatures – chaotic, messy words and word-play, with wacky illustrations that make you laugh out loud and spit drink out your nose.

Review: Fly, Mama, Fly!

This divine board book celebrates award-winning author/illustrator Anna McGregors’ fresh and fun style.

It offers captivating characters, a tiny voice with big eyes that you want to just reach into the book and cuddle, and a very, very special and different presentation: 

This book sits on a shelf like all other books, but when you open it up, the world tilts sideways.  

Review: Neville's Great Escape

This story begins when Neville the penguin is eaten by a rather large whale. 

But if you think this is the also the end of the story, think again. Because brave, daring Neville actually goes on to do all sorts of clever things inside the whale, and as the title of the book suggests, he will also quite possibly escape!

An hilarious, absurd and laugh-out-loud picture book from beloved creater Sean E Avery (Frank’s Red Hat among others), this work will have people of all sizes and shapes giggling with glee.

Review: Tomato Sandwich

Every now and then, a little something comes along and turns you upside down. A little something, that just shows up to warp your mind and make your heart sing.

Tomato Sandwich is this little something.
Everything about this book is squishily delicious.

A small, twirly girl called Ottliy with magic fairy wings, a tiny little dog with carefree boldness, and a great big kind dad whose pants stay up I-don’t-know-how, all somehow just wiggle their respective ways into your heart.

Review: Searching For Treasure

Searching for treasure on the high tide line.

One step, two steps, what can you find?

This book, with its sumptuous illustrations and specially cut-out pages, celebrates all of the good things about a walk on the beach.

From two award-winning creators and told from the visual point of view of a small child, the book takes us on an adventure through the high tide line, finding treasures large and small from both under and out of the water.

Review: Croc Candy

This is the amazing success story of Angus Copelin-Walters, who at seven years old, started his own business. 

Now, at fifteen, he is an inspiration to all those - young and older, who dare to dream even when they are a little different.

Angus loves Crocs and loves candy. But he finds reading and spelling hard. 

He decides to do something that excites him and that he is interested in. Making Candy!

This is no easy feat. If at first you don’t succeed, then try, try again!

Review: Little Love List

This book is absolutely divine – it’s like a perfect, illustrated love letter to all the children of the world.

I love you when you’re brave.

I love you when you’re done.

I love you when you won’t wear pants.

I love you when you’re fun.

Little Love List brings us the very best of what is on offer in picture books today. 

From the sweet idea of writing a ‘love list’ for a child to the playful, fresh and joyful illustrations, it’s easy to feel good about everything about this book – even the bad stuff! 

Review: Hugs Still Feel The Same

What a beautiful, gentle yet powerful book this is.

Told with a strong sense of peace and comfort, this story is perfect for young children needing to make sense of trauma or life challenges – from a natural disaster event through to things like moving house or changing schools.

It is also perfect for curious children who are not living through such challenges. The clever construction means that it offers a variety of insights and messages, depending on the need and perspective of the reader.

Review: Taronga Presents - Bk #3, Baby Boom & Bk #4, Night Owls

It is baby birth time at the Taronga Zoo. Sophia and best friend Ollie now have official volunteer status, so they spend most of their free time at the Zoo.

While helping with the wildlife, Sophia realises that due to the different type of interests they have, a rift could easily occur between them. 

This fear surfaces when Ollie’s little sister is left in his care for a few hours and Sophia begins to feel cheated of time with her friend.

When it happens again, Sophia is further disgruntled with Ollie, without understanding why.  She must accept and adjust to situations that can change suddenly, to retain Ollie's friendship.

It is a busy week for the volunteers. There are the usual emergencies that call for attention at the Wildlife Hospital. Some are humorous incidents concerning animals.

Review: Australia's Baby Animals

If I had to choose just one word out of all the words in the world to describe this Non-Fiction Picture-Book, I think I’d have to go with ‘phenomenal.’ 

Oh sure, the scope and quality of information and artwork is wonderful, clever, wholesome, uplifting and any manner of others, but still my one-word description stands.

Published in a large format which best showcases its many beautiful artworks, this is a collectible companion book to Australia: Country of Colour!

Award-winning author/illustrator Jess Racklyeft takes us on an incredible journey across earth, sky tree, river and sea, to explore and celebrate the baby animals found within Australia.

Review: The Hullabaloo About Elephant Poo

Somewhere, in the recesses of my memory, I recall the ancient use of animal poo for building dwellings and being burnt as fuel for heat. 

But I don’t ever remember there being such a hullabaloo about its multitude of uses. Until The Hullabaloo About Elephant Poo kersplatted onto my desk.

If you are in any doubt as to the sensationally sustainable qualities of elephant poo, look no further than this humorous homage to an elephant’s busy behind.

Renowned author, Dee White escorts readers through a giddy roundup all things great and glorious about the waste product of the largest mammal on earth. Facts and figures come fast and furious. Faster in fact than it takes for elephant poo to hit the ground! From how much they deposit daily to the number of times they need to do so.