Review: Tiki and Jill and the Great Australian Camel Race

Some picture books are so much more than a simple story. Tiki and Jill and the Great Australian Camel Race is one of those books.

On one level, this is a recount of the real-life Great Australian Camel Race. Held from April to July 1988, this race saw camel riders race from Uluru in the Northern Territory to the Gold Coast in Queensland – a distance of over 3,000 km.

Review: Hill End Gold

With a glint of gold fever in his eye and gold lust running through his veins, since he was 18, Alfie Wilson’s dad decides to sell their Bathurst family farm and head to the goldfields at Hill End, where the latest gold strikes have been reported.

Alfie and his younger brother are immediately swept up by their father’s optimistic enthusiasm and firmly believe their father’s motto, ‘Fortune favours the bold’ will inevitably lead them to become the Wealthy Wilsons. Their mother and older sister are far more cautious and prefer the safety and security they have on their farm, even though it may not be so profitable. But as a family they begin their journey to Hill End to claim their stake purchased by their father at a gold mine near where big finds have been unearthed.

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.

 

Review: Australian Geographic - World's Most Extreme

Would you rather be a capybara and stay underwater for up to five minutes or a bee hummingbird and fly backwards with incredible precision?

From the moment I picked up Australian Geographic: World's Most Extreme, I was hooked. This is the kind of non-fiction title that invites readers to dive straight in and explore.

Several features immediately caught my attention. The title sparked my curiosity, the textured cover added another layer of appeal, and the animal-print endpapers had me smiling before I even turned the first page.

The format makes this book highly accessible for readers of all ages. Each continent is explored, allowing readers to travel the world and discover fascinating creatures. Clear headings help readers navigate the text, while intriguing subheadings encourage them to keep reading. Fast fact inserts provide bite-sized information, and the stunning photographs bring every page to life.

For educators, this book offers countless opportunities for classroom learning. It provides a wonderful springboard for geographical investigations as learners explore where animals live around the world and compare continents, environments and ecosystems. The fascinating facts and measurements throughout the book create authentic opportunities for mathematical thinking as learners compare, estimate and order sizes, speeds and weights.

Science lessons can be enriched through investigations into living things, adaptations, habitats and the remarkable features that help animals survive in their environments. The stunning photographs also make this a valuable resource for art, encouraging learners to examine colour, texture, scale, composition and the power of photography to tell a story.

One of the strengths of this title is its ability to spark wonder. Readers will find themselves sharing facts, asking questions and making connections long after they close the book.

This is one title in a series, and I can confidently say I need every single one on my shelf.

Highly recommended for classrooms, libraries and curious readers who love discovering the incredible world around them.

Title: Australian Geographic -World's Most Extreme
Creator: Australian Geographic
Publisher: Hardie Grant Children's Publishing
Publication Date: 28 April, 2026
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781761218064
For ages: 6+
Type: Junior Non-fiction

Review: The Dust Bowl, 1935: I Survived series

My introduction to the work of John Steinbeck was watching the movie adaptation of The Grapes of Wrath aged around 11/12 and thereafter, reading my father’s copy of the book plus all his other Steinbecks, including my all-time favourite book Of Mice and Men, also set in this period (what a writer that man was!). Both these books underlined the gravity of both the Depression and the Dust Bowl as well as the desperation of the poor, especially the farming people.

Now, Lauren Tarshis, chooses the same scenario for her 25th I Survived historical novel, bringing this terrible and desperate period of American history to a young audience. While it is true the Great Depression affected many around the world and created unimaginable hardships, those in America and Canada affected by the Dust Bowl had double the misfortune. 

Review: False versus Facts

In a world where misinformation is rife, False versus Facts is an excellent reminder that we should look for the evidence behind statements to understand what’s factual and what’s false. 

This book is packed with facts and myths. Do you know which is which?

From facts about the earth, humans and science, to animals, history and food, False versus Facts puts the spotlight on information and confirms what’s real and what’s not. 

False versus Facts is carefully designed with succinct information, bright ‘fact’ and ‘false’ embellishments, and simple, stylised illustrations.

Review: An A-Z of Ocean Creatures

How many ocean creatures can you name? How many could you recognise?

Your knowledge will increase exponentially when you read An A-Z of Ocean Creatures.

This is another beautiful creation by Myke Mollard, packed with stunning, detailed illustrations in full colour.  

A different letter of the alphabet features across pages, each with a list of creatures, and an underwater picture featuring them. 

The names of some of the creatures may surprise or amuse you.

Review: The Stuff That Stuff Is Made Of

The Stuff that Stuff is made of - Things we make with Plants, is an extraordinary book full of valuable and surprising information about plants and their incredible contribution to humanity.

The cover illustrations draw readers into a beautiful world full of wonder and knowledge. 

The artwork by Raxenne Maniquiz and Jiatong Liu, is stunning. So is their innovative design and use of colour. 

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.

Review: Edie Tells A Lie

Edie Tells A Lie is a tender, compelling story about family, friendship, loneliness, starting over, and the layered consequences of making a mistake.

Told from Edie’s point of view (but not in the first person), Edie Tells A Lie feels very intimate because the reader is privy to her raw thought processes and dreams. 

Like the story itself, the character of Edie is both vulnerable and strong. Ten-year old Edie and her bestie, Bowie, have grown up living next door to each other. 

Each knows the other so well, that even when life throws up challenges their bond cannot be broken. That’s how it has always been.

Until now.

Because Bowie has left town. She’s moved far, far away, and is not responding to any of Edie’s messages. She is obviously having the best time without Edie.

Review: The Bee Squad: Boosting biodiversity in your neighbourhood

Biodiversity meets citizen science, right in your backyard!

The Bee Squad is great for both children and adults. With almost 200 pages packed with information and ideas, it's the perfect resource for inter-generational activities.

Each of the nine chapters have a different focus. The first encourages learning about nature in your neighbourhood and being aware of the plants and animals around you. 

You never know what you might find right under your nose. 

This first chapter includes a nature quest to record what you find, plus tips and trivia about some of the environments you might be exploring

Other chapters build on information from the first.

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: Wonders Under the Moon

Tai Snaith is an author and artist based in Melbourne. Her impressive, Wonders Under the Moon, is a collection of 216 nocturnal creatures. 

Illustrated for maximum effect against a dark background, they fill the pages with their beauty and abilities between the Introduction and About the Artist.

This book is as much loved by the author as are the creatures featured inside. 

There is passion and warmth in its creation, which is reflected in each word and image that can be felt.

This is a reference and educational book,

Review: Every Rock Has a Story - An A to Z of Australian Geology

How well do we know our country? 

We set out on a journey of adventure and discovery through Australia’s landscapes to test our knowledge.

Every Rock Has a Story - An A to Z of Australian Geology, goes through the alphabet, answering that question with a plethora of valuable information encompassed between its stunning covers and end pages.

Beneath each letter has a subject title. A Fact box at the bottom contains historical and educational information that will amaze.

Review: Searching for Treasure

When you’re at the beach, do you head straight for the water, or do you wander along the sand? How much notice do you take of where you walk? 

Searching for Treasure by Johanna Bell and Emma Long is a beautiful walk along the high tide line of a beach. 

The perspective throughout most of the book is looking down from a child’s height. With each step there are new things to discover. Look out for bluebottles though! 

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: Taronga Big Book Of Animals

This sumptuous book contains over 200 fabulous and fascinating wildlife facts, along with more than 140 glorious illustrations of animals. It is indeed a feast for the eyes and the senses.

Did you know that pandas can do hand-stands?

That some penguins make their very own poo bombs?

Or that tigers have spikes on their tongues?

Well now you do. You’re welcome.

The world-class wildlife experts at Taronga zoo have captured some of the most exciting and crazy information for us to laugh at, marvel over and wonder about. AND they remind us that although this is the current leading-edge science, it may not always be – so it’s important to remain open and curious about the world around you.

Four artists and a designer (who we meet at the back end of the book) have brought the animals to life visually in the most beautiful ways. The layout, colour, line, space, movement, flow and vibrance of the information and illustrations are very special – alive and engaging.
There is so much to love about this book, not least that it’s divided into segments with easy to read maps - which help us to navigate our way through chapters organised by habitats that feature land animals, mountain dwellers, sea creatures, and the like.

Coloured side tabs indicate where in the book you are, and each page is chock full to the brim with text boxes, fun facts, vibrant colour or engaging double spreads with dreamy colour and gorgeous design.

This lush, friendly book contains much to pore over and marvel at. It’s perfect for dipping into at leisure, and a wonderful bonus – it also shares the Taronga Conservation Society’s important work with endangered and critical species.

It will no doubt adorn coffee tables, perhaps become the centrepiece for family games, and be a frequent visitor on bedside book piles.

Perfect for Christmas! Or as a gift for any special occasion. 

Title: Taronga Big Book Of Animals
Author: Taronga Conservation Society Australia
Illustrators: Various
Publisher: Penguin, $39.99
Publication Date: 29 October 2024
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781761347467
For Ages: 4+
Type: Non Fiction

Are We There Yet? 20th Anniversary Edition

This 2005 CBCA Picture Book of the year, encapsulates all that we love about Alison Lester’s stratospheric journey as a children’s book creator. 

It was pure delight to unwrap this brand new, sparkling, coppery-golden foiled 20th anniversary version of the book for review. Told through the voice of eight-year-old Grace, this new incarnation of the book has not aged a jot.

Lester is a national treasure and it is easy to see why. Two decades on, this book is still delightfully fresh, funny and relevant. Timeless family dynamics and developmental stages are chaotically and tenderly rendered in both words and pictures.

Review: Mr Santa

Mr Santa, want to hear me play?

Do the reindeer talk?

And can I ride your sleigh?

Even before you open the cover, this book makes you love it just a little bit.

It has raised lettering, slightly glittering stars, a crescent moon and a cloud upon which sits Santa (with the kindest, warmest face you’ll ever see). 

Review: Our World Full of Wonder

There is a Place…. That’s how each stunning entry is introduced as we set out on our journey to explore the wonders of our world.

All this beauty has been made accessible to children through the brilliance of Jess Racklyeft’s illustrations.

Jevita Nilsen’s alliteration intensifies the poetic prose and draws attention to the referred images of the twelve locations addressed.

As readers tour our wonderful world, each There is a Place… takes your breath away. 

It begins with aurora borealis.