Review: Making Picture Books

Have you ever thought about writing a picture book? Perhaps Illustrating one? Or maybe both?

Making Picture Books by award winning children’s author Libby Gleeson can walk you step-by-step through the entire process from idea to publication, and beyond.

Part 1 is for writers. Libby shares her experience in working from an initial idea, through the writing and revising stages, all the way to submission and publication.

There is loads of useful information including sections on plot, characterisation, language and tense.

Libby helpfully includes examples of early drafts, followed by the final drafts, so the reader can see the changes that have occurred via the editing process.

Review: Creative Writing Magic

A follow up to Unleash Your Creative Monster, Creative Writing Magic is full of even more tips and tricks to get young writers writing.

Children can tap into their inner Creative Monster and come on a journey to learn all about writing great stories and creating magical characters. 

Creative Writing Magic is packed with information all about different writing techniques, plotting, and character development, but because of the fun and engaging way it is presented, it never feels overwhelming or difficult. 

Andy Jones speaks directly to the reader in his short conversational chapters, while Olaf Falafel’s cute and hilarious illustrations help to illuminate the ideas.

Review: The Epically Awesome Odyssey, as told by Nanny Piggins

The Epically Awesome Odyssey, as told by Nanny Piggins is an hilarious and illuminating introduction to Greek mythology for children.

When the school bus driver mentions the word ‘odyssey’, Nanny Piggins finds herself explaining the origin of the word, a brave and clever female pig called Odysseus.

Over many days, the Green children, Derrick, Michael and Samantha, hear the account of The Odyssey as written down by Homer and retold by Nanny Piggins in a series of episodes.

Each episode introduces readers to a key event or character in The Odyssey. Readers will meet the Cyclops, giants, along with Scylla the terrifying six-headed giant lizard. They will travel with Odysseus and her men through deadly whirlpools, wild storms, and past the bewitching Sirens.

Review: Your Feelings Matter

Your Feelings Matter is an empowering and accessible book for young children. It encourages them to recognise, name and understand their feelings, as well as providing helpful strategies for moving through them.

At the book’s heart is the idea that feelings are never wrong or shameful, they are simply messages our brains and bodies are telling us about what is important.

‘Your feelings are never wrong.

 Your feelings are made to be felt.

Your feelings matter.’

Review: I am Brown

'I am brown. 

I am beautiful 

I am perfect’ 

I am Brown is an inviting and poetic picture book that celebrates pride, culture and diversity.

The colour palette is rich and warm, highlighting the children and their beautiful brown skin tones, hair types and eye colours.

Hear from kids all over the world about what they like to eat and what they wear. Learn about the languages they speak and the places they go to pray. 

See their hopes for the future, their passions and gifts, and that no two children are exactly the same.

Review: My Dreamtime Match

My Dreamtime Match is written by husband and wife duo Jacinta Daniher and Taylor Hampton and follows their earlier titles, Our Mob and Our Dance. 

    Gulpa gaka! Welcome! Let’s play and run!

    My name is Jahleel. Come join the fun!

Follow Jahleel and his team as they play in the annual AFL Indigenous Round. Learn about how Indigenous culture and AFL come together in this important event named after Yorta Yorta player, Sir Doug Nicholls. 

Review: Again! said Rabbit

Again! said Rabbit is book number three in Marjoke Henrichs’ series exploring first experiences and emotions for young children. 

Rabbit, with his Mum and Dad, have arrived at the beach for a day of fun and relaxation. There is sandcastle building, football, and kite flying. ‘Again!’ Rabbit demands after each activity until his exhausted parents suggest a swim. 

When the sun disappears behind a cloud and Rabbit is dumped by a big wave, it feels like the fun is over. 

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: 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: Dresses are for Messes

'Why can’t I wear a dress to fight a dragon or lead a pirate crew?' asks Tess in this dynamic picture book about being yourself.

Tess’s dad says that dresses are only for tea parties and fancy occasions. Tess believes that dresses are for any time. 

Elizabeth Pulsford’s well-written rhyming text shows us all the things that Tess can do while wearing her dresses that are adorned with flounces, frills and floofy sleeves. In fact, she says there’s nothing she can’t do. 

Tess’s self-confidence combined with her epic imagination is an inspiration for readers to be themselves.  

Review: A Farm by the Sea

Would you rather live on a farm or by the sea? 

In A Farm by the Sea, Jillian Packer uses simple lyrical text and exquisite illustrations to reveal life on a farm and by the sea.

The story is narrated by the youngest member of the family, and we experience life through her daily rhythms. 

The day begins with the farm chores and saying ‘Good Morning’ to all the animals. 

One-Minute Review: We’re Going on a Teddy Hunt

We’re Going on a Teddy Hunt is the latest book in the charming series The Bunnies of Hoppity Hill, written by Martha Mumford and illustrated by Cherie Zamazing.

Follow along with four sweet bunnies as they set off to find their bedtime teddies. Along the way they meet other sweet animals preparing for bed.

There are flaps to search behind and lots of delightful details in every spread for children to discover.

Review: Here Come the Cousins

Here Come the Cousins is a joyful and exuberant celebration of family and summer holidays by the beach. There is love, laughter, and nostalgia by the bucket and spadeful.

Written by Maggie Hutchings and illustrated by Sarah Zweck, Here Come the Cousins tells the story of a pack of boisterous cousins who descend on Pop’s beach house for a summer of fun.

Bunk beds are allotted, heights are measured, and then it’s on with the swimmers and off to the beach!

Review: One Word and a Bird

Have you ever gone searching for a word?

A big word. An important word. A word like gargantuan, auspicious, or magnanimous?

While those words are impressive, sometimes the words you are looking for are simple. Love. Family. Home. 

Stephen Michael King’s glorious picture book One Word and a Bird follows a young boy as he searches the world for a word that will lift him up, make him feel important, and comfort him. 

NEW TEAM MEMBER: Introducing Jo Staker

KBR welcomes new team member, Jo Staker! What better way to get to know Jo than with our infamous 12 Curly Questions.

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
I wrote love songs for Boy George when I was in Primary School – and sent them to him.

2. What is your nickname?
My name is so short – I don’t really have one.

3. What is your greatest fear?
Moths. When I was a child, that giant moth at the end of the original Dr Dolittle movie really freaked me out.

4. Describe your writing style in ten words.
Frequently forgetting that an idea is not an actual story.

Review: Going Fishing with Nana

Going Fishing with Nana is another superb Magabala Books publication written by Frances and Lindsay Haji-Ali and illustrated by Karen Briggs. It is an adventurous follow-up to On the Way to Nana’s, published in 2017.

The day has finally arrived to pick up Nana and go fishing.

It will be a long drive, but luckily there are many interesting things to look at along the way. 

Waterholes, boab trees, and the peeping, squinting, glaring eyes of many Australian animals, birds and insects.