Sunday Shelfie - The Frumpling

Happy #sundayshelfie day! It is my pleasure to welcome Jo Vanderborgh and Jo Beasley.

This week we are celebrating their delightful picture book The Frumpling. 

The Frumpling lived a lonely life, this book will tell you why.

He smelled and looked so squaffy, every beast just walked on by.

Except for one . . .

An endearing tale of help from unlikely friends . . . and the transformative power of a good wash!

Written by Jo Vanderborgh

Illustrated by Jo Beasley

Published by Walker Books Australia 

Visit Picture Book Book Club  @picturebookbc on Instagram. 

Review: Fearless Finn

Finn is a young modern day knight in shining armour. He is on a hero quest to defeat a dragon that has caused chaos in his village. Donning his home made armour of a cardboard breastplate, saucepan helmet, saucepan lid for a shield and a broom for a sword, he sets off on his mission to find and conquer the fire-breathing dragon that has left a path of destruction.

But when he finally meets the foe, he discovers that this dragon is not as dangerous or fierce as he first thought. Can Finn be the hero perhaps in a completely different way?

Review: The Wild Unknown

With the rapid escalation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in recent years, it’s not so hard to imagine a world – twenty years from now – where each human has a personal AI bot and most jobs are performed by bots.

This is exactly the world Emily Gale has imagined in her middle-grade tech adventure novel, The Wild Unknown.

Set in 2045, Year 6 student Eddie lives in a world where bots keep tabs on everything he does. They’re useful, yes, but also a little intrusive at times and not everyone fully embraces these tech advances.

Sometimes, Eddie takes his mica earbud out so its not aware of what he’s up to.

Eddie’s dad refuses to use the Goodbot delivery service.

Review: The House That Walked Away

I have heard over the years that when coming up with a title for a picture book one should avoid being too clever. Just say what the book is about without giving too much away. There is definitely no confusion when it comes to Simon Howe’s new release The House that Walked Away. If indeed you do need a little more assistance, the little house casually strolling down the path will help you out.

A lot can be said about that little house, even before you open the book. Instantly recognisable is the one door, two windows and a chimney, (well two actually) construction that is the go-to design when a child draws a house for the first time. It has a face of sorts, making it ‘alive’ and with its almost scale like shimmering tiled arms and legs, there is no doubt that this little house has character and a unique personality. All of this combined make for the perfect book cover that children will pick up wanting desperately to know what the story is all about. Well done Simon.

And what about that story? It begins, ‘Once there was a house that didn’t feel at home.’ What a great opening line. I’m sure many of us can completely relate to that sentence. What I love is that this little house decided to do something about it.

The House that Walked Away follows the little house as it searches for somewhere that ‘feels right’. Somewhere that feels like home. Discontent, It never stays in one place for long as nowhere seems to fit, or perhaps it feels that it, doesn’t fit anywhere. One day a family notices this little house and begins to follow it. That’s when everything changes.

With under 200 words this may come across as a picture book with a simple story, but I can assure you it is not. Those words have been perfectly chosen and combined with the illustrations create something unexpectantly emotional.

Let me just take a moment to give credit to those illustrations as they rightly deserve. To begin Simon has created a house full of hope and yearning. A house…. with emotions…. that is a marvel in itself, but it just gets better from there.

Composition wise, the book changes from full spreads to an almost graphic novel approach, perfectly enabling the story to flow without the overuse of text. Then the colour is added, and what glorious colour it is. Simon has chosen the perfect colour palette and uses it expertly to show emotion throughout the narrative. There is a deep sadness felt in the grey ocean and uplifting hope in the fire red clouds, which also happens to be my favourite page. The painterly texture throughout just adds to the appeal. In short the artwork, and it is art, is stunning. I must also give credit to the choice to print on matt paper instead of gloss.

This may be a book written for children, but the story has such a wider reach. Even as adults we are constantly searching for our tribe. Many of us spend years being restless in jobs or moving and changing friends as we look for a place where we are appreciated just being ourselves. We are always looking for somewhere where we can relax at the end of the day and feel safe. Ultimately we are all looking for somewhere to feel like home. 

Title: The House that Walked Away
Author/Illustrator: Simon Howe
Publisher: Little Hare
Publication Date: May 2026
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781761218309
For ages: 5+
Type: Picture book

Review: The Lost Defenders

An eclipse only happens every so often.

Normally an event worth anticipating, this particular eclipse has been long-awaited for a more sinister reason.

Jace can see monsters. He wishes he couldn’t because they get him in trouble when all he’s doing is trying to save people from them. Clearly, though, he has no idea what he’s doing because right now, he’s on the brink of expulsion.

Despite having resolved to lay low and ignore what’s in front of him, he realises now is not the time to do that. In fact, he’s just found out that he’s a ‘seer’ – a rare human who can see and communicate with monsters from the other side of the ‘veil’.

Thankfully, he’s not the only one with these skills.

Review: A House Divided

A House Divided by Clare Hallifax, is the second book in the Our History series, and an entertaining and informative window into history. 

It covers a year in Juliet’s life and the year is 1975. Colour television was introduced in Australia, flared jeans were fashionable, and the landmark National Library of Australia building opened. It was also a time of political upheaval. 

1975 brings lots of changes for Juliet, her family, and the whole country. 

Juliet lives with her parents and grandmother, and has an older sister at university interstate. Her dad works in a quite senior position in the federal government. 

She's entering her final year of primary school, and is expected to complete a year-long, individual project, one that she needs to choose for herself. 

Juliet decides to compare her life growing up in the seventies, with her Gran’s at the end of the First World War and afterwards.

Sunday Shelfie - The Boy and the Shark

Happy #sundayshelfie day! It is my pleasure to welcome the wonderful Cate James. This week we are celebrating Cate’s delightful picture book The Boy and the Shark.

William is stuck at his little sister’s noisy birthday party.

William does not like parties. William likes sharks.

He wonders if sharks do not like parties either. Perhaps he should find one and ask ...

From Cate James comes a timeless adventure full of curiosity, surprises and friendship.

Written and illustrated by Cate James

Published by Affirm Press 

Visit Picture Book Book Club @picturebookbc on Instagram

Review: Oceanforged 2: The Silent Island

Book 2 in Amelia Mellor’s five-book fantasy adventure series begins in a sea of calm. But don’t be fooled because once we’re reacquainted with Cori, Jem and Tarn, the action moves into top gear.

The three teens, thrown together in Book 1 when Cori stole a magical gauntlet and was unwittingly thrown into the role of Champion, are now tasked with locating the other pieces of Oceanforged Armour and saving their nation from destruction.

Thinking that the Loyalists will help them, Cori is shocked to discover they’re on their own. 

What’s more, they have less than six months to find the hauberk tunic – the second piece of armour – and push back the Great Dark Tide that is on its way and will destroy the nation of Aquinta and everything they know.

With no other choice, Cori, Jem and Tarn set off in Jem’s houseboat, Lucky, to try and find Mutemont, the mysterious island thought to be the hiding place of the hauberk. 

Review: Whose House is This?

Come with Peter as he spends the day visiting his friends. 

Lucy’s house has ears, just like the cats who live there. Georgina’s house looks and smells like a cupcake, because her father is a baker. And Sam’s house looks like a peculiar contraption because… yes, you guessed it, his father is an inventor. There are treehouses, cloudhouses, and even houses on wheels! 

Each occupant joins Peter on the walk to the next house, and by the end of the day there is a joyful procession marching down the street. 

Review: The Embarrassing Confessions of Gracie Sparks

Starting high school is nerve-wracking enough for most kids. Different teachers. New subjects. A maze of corridors and classrooms to navigate. More homework. That’s all bad enough but when your dad insists on sending you to a school where you don’t know anyone except your aloof big sister and one weirdo from your primary school … well, that’s next level.

Enter Gracie Sparks.

The transition from being the popular and cool student who wows everyone with her electric guitar skills to being a friendless nobody does not sit well with Gracie and she’s determined to do something about it. But what?

All the other Year 7s at Middleton Grammar are already in tight friendship groups so Gracie is initially stuck with boring-girl Margot. 

Review: Hafsa’s Way

Hafsa will not take no for an answer. She intends to be a doctor but her parents do not hold the same dream for her. Her parents don't support the idea of girls being doctors and believe she should follow a more traditional path and seek marriage.

As a companion novel to the Amal Unbound and Omar Rising, we are once more transported to a small Pakistani village, hours away from the big city of Lahore. 

Hafsa Imtiaz discovers a flyer advertising the Bukhara Summer Science Camp, in Lahore, that teaches kids about medicine. She applies without her parents’ permission and is excited to be accepted. Her parents believe the camp is expensive and will not let her go to Lahore unsupervised. Hafsa persuades her father to let her go after her sister, Shabnam and her husband, Sohail, who live near the camp, offer to pay for the camp and let her stay with them.

Review: The Prime Minister Problem

Brenton Cullen's debut novel is a terrific read for middle-grade. This young man has been a keen writer since childhood and is now making his dream of writing professionally come true. And what a great start this is!

It's very definitely a sweet and engaging read and, a word I use very deliberately for books of this ilk - wholesome. It's that feel-good, warm-fuzzy uplifting narrative to which young readers always respond with alacrity. Actually, it puts me in mind of some of our great middle-grade authors such as the wonderful Robin Klein and Morris Gleitzman.

We've likely all known a kid like Wren, or maybe even been that kid ourselves. He's the outsider. The one who's friendless and never seems to fit in anywhere. He's quiet and his anxiety often causes him to be tongue-tied. His mum is caring and loving but, as a single mother lacking any support from the ex-husband, she's always super busy and very tired, working two part-time jobs. His older brother works too.

Sunday Shelfie - Trickshot Harri

Happy #sundayshelfie day! It is my pleasure to welcome the wonderful Jake Minton.This week we are celebrating the fun and engaging picture book Jake has created with Adrian Lloyd and Adam Jackson, Trickshot Harri.

Roar for Trickshot Harri as he learns that scoring the most goals isn’t everything – it’s teamwork that makes the dream work!

Book two in the bestselling Animal World Cup series, Trickshot Harri the Cheetah World Beater, is packed with insider jokes and pitch-perfect details, and captures all the intense excitement of the game while exploring the importance of sharing and being part of something bigger.

Written by Adrian Lloyd and Adam Jackson

Illustrated by Jake Minton
Published by Little Book Press

Visit Picture Book Book Club @picturebookbc on Instagram

Review: Drawing Nudes While Making Other Plans

Zoe Gaetjen’s Drawing Nudes While Making Other Plans is a warm-hearted and funny young adult novel. 

It explores grief, friendship and first love in a way that feels truly authentic and genuine. 

When seventeen-year-old Cleo Markson arrives at the Australian Art School for a summer life drawing program, she is nervous and anxious. In the past, Cleo has had older sister Emmy and her detailed plans to help prepare for change and new experiences. 

Review: Monkeypig

Molly has been happily living in the jungle with all the other monkeys. But Molly has a secret. She is in fact a pig. No one had ever noticed, but after a non-monkey scent is discovered, suspicion begins to rise that an impostor has infiltrated the group. Can Molly manage to go undetected or will she get found out and banished from the group forever?

Review: The Last Word

Friendship, first crushes and finding your voice all come together in the delightful middle grade novel The Last Word by A.L. Tait. The third book in the Two Hearts series is a light-hearted yet thoughtful story that captures the emotional landscape of early adolescence with warmth, humour and authenticity.

Matilda Bell begins the school year without her best friend by her side and soon finds herself constantly clashing with a new classmate. When they’re forced to work together on the school debating team, their rivalry slowly shifts into something more complicated. Along the way, Matilda must navigate changing friendships, growing confidence and the tentative beginnings of first love.

Review: You'll Always Be My Baby

This is a glorious rhyming picture book based on a much-loved poem by best-selling author Jessica Urlichs and illustrated by Jedda Robaard.

Indeed, there has been great appetite for these words to be brought to life in a picture book – and now here we are!

A heart-tugging picture book celebrating the deep forever love of family.

With a deceptively simple and limited colour palette, You’ll Always Be My Baby is intricately beautiful. 

Gentle, whimsical and tender ideas unfold through the recurring theme – you’ll always be my baby, just heavier to hold – and are truly universal.

Review: Swearwolves

Do not let the title of this book turn you off straight away. Hear me out first because the subject matter is treated in an exceptionally mature way and, let’s be honest, those words are out there and being used by our children (but not by Steve Worland in this book).

Luna Wilkinson has not long started at her new school and she’s having trouble fitting in. Everyone has their friendship groups and little cliques and there doesn’t seem to be space for the new kid who is rapidly getting a reputation for being a bit weird.

As Luna sees it, her one chance to stand out – and fit in – lies in wowing the crowds at the upcoming audition for Bite Me – The Musical. Luna doesn’t just want to be given a part; she wants to be cast in the lead role. 

Review: My Super Uncle

A striking cover and dazzling end papers promote the joy that fills this gorgeous picture book that speaks of love in its many forms.

Imaginative rhyming text accompanies vibrant colour illustrations which spill over every page, always focusing on the two characters - the girl and her super interesting uncle, with backgrounds of family scenes and the natural world.

Review: The Dream Keeper

This masterful, dreamy and tender book is both penned and illustrated by celebrated creator, Anna Walker.

What if there lives a Dream Keeper…
… and when you’re scared of shadows,
the Dream Keeper sees.

A small child who’s afraid of the dark. A darling turtle with a teeny-weeny lantern on a wooden stick, rowing a boat, carrying a jar full of light-dreams…

After the sublime endpapers, two single pages filled with intricate detail of each life – the child’s and the Dream Keeper’s - make up the first double spread.