Review: Lamington Left Behind

In her stunning graphic novel debut, Lamington Left Behind, Andrea Innocent invites readers into a haunting post-apocalyptic world where nature has all but disappeared and bots dominate the landscape. But amid the rubbish and rusting remains, Andrea shows us that hope can be found in small places.

Young Lamington, separated from her mother, fends for herself, living in her abandoned car with a new spider friend, Ulysses. When Lamington discovers the world’s precious seeds are in danger, she sets out with Ulysses and an endearing band of koalas on a courageous quest to save them, find her mother and restore the planet. Racing to beat a deadly storm and a group of troublemakers who want the seeds for themselves, Lamington's journey becomes one of unexpected twists and friendship. 

Review: Possum Tragic

The jury is out when it comes to Halloween and Australia’s fairly recent embrace of the ancient Celtic festival. 

Some families have welcomed the spooky fun with open arms, while others remain less enchanted by the parade of plastic pumpkins cobwebs and American-style excess.

For MelbourneStyle creator Maree Coote, however, the bigger concern is what all that excess leaves behind.

The award-winning illustrator, author and designer is renowned for her quirky and ingenious typographic picture books, including Spellbound: Making Pictures with the A-B-C, Animology and Alphabeasts. 

Ella and the Sleepover Safari

In this delightful second instalment of the Ella series, Cassy Polimeni and Hykie Breeze once again capture the emotional challenges and natural curiosity of childhood with warmth and flair. 

Ella and the Sleepover Safari brings readers back into Ella’s world — this time for an unforgettable birthday sleepover at the zoo. What should be a dream night of adventure quickly becomes complicated when Ella’s old friend, Viv, and new friend, Mai, struggle to get along. 

Polimeni sensitively explores a familiar childhood tension: How do you balance different friendships without anyone feeling left out? It's a situation many young readers will recognise, handled with empathy, humour and just the right amount of wild animal mayhem.

The backdrop of the zoo adds an extra layer of magic and the story is bought to life with Hykie Breeze’s vibrant and expressive illustrations.

Review: The Secret of Sapling Green

Sapling Green has a secret, one she hides away in pockets. This sweet and whimsical story slowly reveals the secret of Sapling Green, a quiet girl who hides in the library and 'wishes for someone to play with'. 

Only at home does Sapling remove her hands from her pockets to reveal her verdant secret — green thumbs. Literally. Sapling's magical gift surrounds her with lush greenery and here she feels confident and free to be her true self.

Review: Anemone is Not the Enemy

Clever and quirky, this is a picture book to delight and inform children of all ages. 

From the witty play on words in the title and the fluorescent-pink endpapers, to the minimal text and quirky sub-plot of a crab looking for a shell to call home, Anna McGregor is proving herself a picture-book creator to watch.

Anemone lives a lonely existence in his little rockpool. He's desperate to make a friend and whenever the tide comes in, he's hopeful it will bring a special buddy. But each time anyone tries to get close to him in the rockpool, he stings them.

Review: Azaria: A True History

This year, 2020, is the 40th anniversary of the death of Azaria Chamberlain at Uluru.

When this little baby disappeared during a family camping trip, the entire nation was instantly caught up in a frenzy of gossip, prejudice and judgement.

It's a story so many of us grew up with. I can still remember it: Every grown-up had an opinion on whether Azaria was taken by a dingo or murdered by her mother. And every child in the school yard echoed their parents' opinions.

Review: Izzy and Frank

Izzy and Frank is one of those enchanting picture books, bursting with nostalgia and the freedom of childhood.

Izzy and her best buddy, Frank the seagull, do everything together on their island home, from drawing pictures in the sand to fighting off pirates.

But, one day, everything changes and Izzy leaves her dreamy haven for a life in the city.

Review: Incredible Journeys

Here's an incredible book to ignite the imaginations of young adventurers and explorers.

Real-life explorer Levison Wood takes readers on some of history's most famous expeditions, tracing the routes of ancient explorers, such as Marco Polo and David Livingstone.

There are 20 different expeditions to study, each complete with bold and colourful illustrated maps and fascinating snippets of information to peruse.

Review: Nop

Caroline Magerl creates the most extraordinary, whimsical worlds in her picture books. Each one is like a treasure box, just waiting to share its wondrous gifts.

Nop is another heartwarming story with Caroline's trademark melding of warmth and melancholy, friendship and longing.

Nop is a scruffy old bear, living among the 'heaping heaps of goods' at Oddmint's Dumporeum.

Review: The Girl and the Dinosaur

Whimsical and enchanting, The Girl and the Dinosaur is a rhyming picture book that will stay with readers long after the lights have been switched off.

Told in delightful, jaunty rhyme, the story introduces us to Marianne, who's digging for a dinosaur on the beach. The fisherfolk of the town worry about Marianne and want to see her find some friends, but Marianne (not unlike 19th century paleontologist Mary Anning) slowly pieces together a dinosaur, which she names Bony.

Review: Liarbird

Have you ever told a lie? A little white lie, or a big porky-pie? Well, the lyrebird learns how to lie from the day it hatches. And this lyrebird loves it.

From impersonations to big fat whoppers, he soon becomes 'the best in the bush at fibbing, faking, fabricating and fake-news creating'.

Adults and children alike will get plenty of giggles out of this modern-day Australian fable, which is more a commentary on social etiquette than simply just telling the truth.

Of course, the lyrebird eventually takes his lying too far and learns that terrible things can happen when you stray from the truth.

Review: The Night Flower

A rare miracle of nature is captured in this exquisite non-fiction picture book from acclaimed artist Lara Hawthorne.

It's a unique and true tale of a spectacular annual event in the Sonoran desert, in Arizona, where wildlife gather to witness the saguaro cactus as it blooms for just one night each year.

Written in lyrical and informative rhyming text, the story sets the scene of the vibrant desert, which becomes a haven for wildlife in the spring.

Review: The Secrets of Magnolia Moon

As soon as I heard the title of this debut junior fiction novel, from award-winning picture book author Edwina Wyatt, I was hooked. Then came the exquisite cover, from New Zealand illustrator Katherine Quinn. And, from the very first page, I was enchanted.

Magnolia Moon is a quirky nine-year-old girl, with a love of Greek mythology, her best friend, Imogen Mae, and the moon.

She is the kind of girl who would be a grape, if she were a fruit — because you would never be lonely, sitting there in a bunch — and has a wonderful way of measuring time — There's a whole year to go, which is a lifetime if you are a giant jellyfish.

Review: Every Child a Song

Lyrical and poignant, this glorious celebration of children has been published for the 30th Anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

It reminds us that every child must be protected by the articles laid out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and that every one of us must play a part.

Every Child A Song tells of the song that begins when every child is born — A melody the world had never heard before.

Review: Ollie & Augustus

Starting school can be a nerve-racking experience for most. But what if you're also worried about your best friend and how they'll cope without you?

Gabriel Evans has created a delightful picture book for pet lovers with the perfect blend of sweetness and humour.

Review: Queen Celine

Who knew one little picture book could pack so much punch. In this seemingly ordinary story about an ordinary girl who becomes queen of the most beautiful rock pool, Matt Shanks manages to convey a powerful environmental, political and social message, without being didactic.

Queen Celine thinks her seaside kingdom is so perfect, she decides to build a wall around it, to keep intruders out and make sure nothing will ever change.

Review: Animology

Author and illustrator Maree Coote has done it again with an extraordinary collection of illustrations made entirely from letters.

This time, Maree turns her attention to an exotic range of animals, with everything from tigers and flamingos, to whales and owls, showing off her striking use of colour and typography.

Each animal is created from the letters of its name and is accompanied by a playful and quirky rhyme that's so much fun to read out loud. The rhyme includes a fact about the animal featured, along with a clever reference to letters and words.

Review: Leonard the Lyrebird

The dramatic scenery of Australia's iconic Blue Mountains provides a stunning backdrop for this beautiful tale of Leonard the lyrebird.

Leonard is a truly wondrous creature who loves to perform, singing the sounds of all the animals in the bush. He has plenty of friends among the other animals, but longs for a lyrebird friend.

Hoping to befriend the lyrebird Lilah, Leonard goes searching for the most impressive song of all.

Review: A Year in the Wild

If you're looking for a book with serious wow factor, you have to check out this treasure from UK artist Helen Ahpornsiri.

Helen takes us through each season, introducing us to the cycle of nature. We meet the animals and plants that follow the pattern of the seasons, from the butterflies and blossoms of spring, to the winter berries and birds of winter.

Review: Wilam — A Birrarung Story

The Yarra River, or Birrarung, holds a special place in many Australian hearts and we're pretty sure this book will too.

Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy and illustrator Lisa Kennedy, a Trawlwoolway descendant, collaborated on the cherished and highly lauded picture book Welcome to Country. Here, they join forces with author and Yarra Riverkeeper Andrew Kelly.