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Book review: Meet the Mubbles
Meet the Mubbles by Liz Pichon, Macmillan Children's Books, ISBN 9781035068326 REVIEWED BY EDITH, 9, WA The publisher provided a review copy of this book. Meet the Mubbles is a vibrant comic book adventure for younger readers aged between 6–8. I had lots of fun reading this book because of the detail, colour and interesting concepts on…
Julia Lawrinson on Trapped!
A sudden rain deluge, a flooded gold mine, and a father trapped underground. Today we're excited to be talking to Julia Lawrinson about her latest book: Trapped! The Entombed Miner of Bonnie Vale. Julia is an award-winning author of more than a dozen books for children and young adults. Her books are often about friendship,…
Book review: Lexie Moon and the Word Burgling Bungle
Lexie Moon and the Word Burgling Bungle by Melissa Garside, illustrated by Lauren Mullinder, Riveted Press, ISBN 9781763526037 REVIEWED BY EDITH, 9, WA The publisher provided a review copy of this book. This book centres around the main character, Lexie Moon, who builds a contraption that takes someone's words and gives them to someone else…
Book review: Little Bones
Little Bones by Sandy Bigna, illustrations by Tamlyn Teow, UQP, ISBN 9780702268878 REVIEWED BY MARLEY, 9, WA The publisher provided a review copy of this book. Little Bones is about a girl called Bones and she loves collecting animal bones for her collection. She doesn't have many friends at school and people think she's a…
Rachel Jackson on Escape from Marigold Manor
Rachel Jackson draws on her extensive experience as an intelligence specialist to create twisty branching plotlines. She’s also a sucker for good puzzles and bad jokes – subject matter that she shares generously with her readers in the Solve It Your Way series published by Riveted Press. Today we're chatting to Rachel about her latest…
Book review: Ella and the Amazing Frog Orchestra
Ella and the Amazing Frog Orchestra by Cassy Polimeni, illustrated by Hykie Breeze, UWA Publishing, ISBN 9781760802899 REVIEWED BY ELLA, 9, WA The publisher provided a review copy of this book. Ella and the Amazing Frog Orchestra is a fiction book with lots of facts about frogs. The story is about Ella, who moves house…
Kitty Black on Rise of the Witch
Funny, scary, a dash of magic – Rise of the Witch is the first book in the new Everglade series by Kitty Black, with illustrations by Rebecca Crane. Kitty is already the author of numerous picture books and today we're chatting about the creation of her first novel. The publisher provided Alphabet Soup with a…
Renée Treml on The Thylacine and the Time Machine
Renée Treml is an award-winning writer and illustrator based in Fremantle, WA. She has written and illustrated several picture books including the award-winning Once I Heard a Little Wombat, and Wombat Big, Puggle Small, which was read on ABC’s Play School. Renée is also the creator of the hilarious graphic novels featuring Sherlock Bones and Ollie and Bea. Today we're…
Book review: Crunch
Crunch by Kayla Miller, Walker Books Australia, ISBN 9781760655181 REVIEWED BY AASHI, 10, VIC Aashi reviewed her own copy of this book. I recently read Crunch and I LOVED it! It is a must read for any avid readers from the age 8 to 12. This graphic novel is part of the Click series. The…
Tull Suwannakit on Higher Ground
Tull Suwannakit is an award-winning illustrator and author with a background in animation and fine art. When Tull is not writing and illustrating, he runs art classes and workshops for children and adults at his art school in Melbourne. Today we're excited to hear from Tull about his latest book: Higher Ground. The publisher provided…
Melissa Garside on Lexie Moon and the Word Burling Bungle
Melissa Garside lives south of Sydney with her family, their hilarious golden retriever and some entertaining free-ranging chooks. When she’s not writing or teaching, she enjoys getting her hands dirty in the garden, immersing herself in nature and using her family as guinea pigs for her recipe-free kitchen experiments. Today we're chatting to Melissa about…
Book review: Act
Act by Kayla Miller, Walker Books Australia, ISBN 9781760654931 REVIEWED BY AASHI, 10, VIC Aashi reviewed her own copy of this title. You should always stand up for what you believe, right? Olive thinks that it is unfair that kids have to miss out on field trips just because they are expensive. She knows she…
Deb Fitzpatrick on Tawny Trouble
Deb Fitzpatrick writes for adults, young adults and children. She loves using stories from real life in her novels and regularly teaches creative writing to people of all ages. Deb loves bushwalking with her family. When she can, she sneaks away to a shack in the karri forest of the south-west of Western Australia. Today we're…
Book review: Funny Kid Belly Flop
Funny Kid: Belly Flop by Matt Stanton, HarperCollins Publishers, ISBN 9780733340604 REVIEWED BY AASHI, 10, VIC Aashi reviewed her own copy of this book. Meet Max, a professional prankster. He is always trying to make people laugh and have a blast. This means he gets in trouble a lot. Max is on another adventure where…
Angie Cui on My Mum is a Bird
Angie Cui was born in Harbin, China and now lives in Melbourne with her husband and two children, whom she calls the ‘ABC Family’ – four people, three cultures – Australian, Bangladeshi and Chinese (her kids are Australian-born, and her husband is originally from Bangladesh). She loves the rich culture of her family’s languages and enjoys using them…
Book review: Thea Stilton and the Chocolate Sabotage
Thea Stilton and the Chocolate Sabotage by Elisabetta Dami, Scholastic, ISBN 9780545646567 REVIEWED BY AASHI, 10 VIC Aashi reviewed her own copy of this book. The Thea Sisters set off on an adventure to Ecuador. They are visiting Paulina's old friend, Antonio, who runs a chocolate factory. He runs Choco Loco with his cousin Hector. …
Sandi Parsons on Salty
Sandi Parsons is an avid reader, writer and storyteller. She lives in Western Australia with some problem puppies and many teetering stacks of books. Today we're chatting to Sandi about her latest book: Salty. The publisher provided Alphabet Soup with a reading copy of Salty. From the publisher: Dara longs to have a best friend, someone she…
Book review: The Secret of the Stone
The Secret of the Stone by Kathryn Lefroy, Fremantle Press, ISBN 9781760994648 REVIEWED BY AASHI, 10, VIC The publisher provided a review copy of this book. The Secret of the Stone is an exciting book about adventure and loyalty, packed with surprises. When Olive and her friends discover a mysterious stone, they realise it has…
Dianne Wolfer on Soaring with the Sugarbird Lady
Dianne Wolfer is the award-winning author of 26 books, including the acclaimed ‘Light’ series, adapted for stage, street theatre, and choirs! She lives on the southwest coast with her husband, Pete, and dog, Harry. Today we're thrilled to be talking to Dianne about her latest book, a biography of Robin Miller, Soaring with the Sugarbird Lady.…
Sandy Bigna on Little Bones
Sandy Bigna is a reader, a book reviewer and a writer. Today we're excited to be chatting to her about her debut book – a verse novel called Little Bones. From the publisher: Since the accident, eleven-year-old Bones spends her time drawing animal skeletons and scavenging for dead things to add to her collection. One…
Book review: Bigfoot vs Yeti
Bigfoot vs Yeti by James Foley, Fremantle Press, ISBN 9781760994983 REVIEWED BY MARLEY, 9, PALMYRA PRIMARY SCHOOL, WA The publisher provided a review copy of this book. Bigfoot vs Yeti is about a Yeti and a Bigfoot and how there was a great big mist and rift between their two colonies. The two colonies always hated each…
Book review, 11 Ruby Road: 1900
11 Ruby Road: 1900 by Charlotte Barkla, Walker Books Australia, ISBN 9781760657949 REVIEWED BY ELIZABETH, 12, NSW Elizabeth received a review copy of this book. Dorothy raised the key to the lock, but the door creaked open before she could insert it. When ten-year-old Dorothy opened the door to her new home, she also opened…
James Foley on Bigfoot vs Yeti
James Foley makes picture books, novels and graphic novels for kids. He creates with pen and ink, pencil, charcoal, and watercolour and also uses digital tools for his work. Today we're excited to be chatting with James about his latest picture book: Bigfoot vs Yeti. From the publisher: The Bigfoots say it started when a…
Book review: The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage
The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage by Charlie Archbold, Text Publishing, ISBN 9781922790996 REVIEWED BY AASHI, 10, VIC The publisher provided a review copy of this book. The Sugarcane Kids face a crisis: animals are mysteriously disappearing all over town, including Gloria, a beloved pet. Although the kids have their suspicions, the adults refuse…
Book review: The Vanishing
The Vanishing by Mark Greenwood, Fremantle Press, ISBN 9781760993962 REVIEWED BY MARLEY, 9, PALMYRA PRIMARY SCHOOL, WA The publisher provided a review copy of this book. The Vanishing is a non fiction mystery book about Frederick Valentich going missing in his aircraft. He was a very kind person and his life was going very well…
Book review: Penny Draws a Class Trip
Penny Draws a Class Trip by Sara Shepard, Text Publishing, ISBN 9781922790712 REVIEWED BY AASHI, 10, VIC The publisher provided a review copy of this book. Sara Shepard has written a great story about Penny Lowry, a girl who loves drawing and writing. Penny is 11 years old and in 5th Grade. She was delighted…
Book review: The Journey
The Journey by James Norbury, Penguin Books Ltd., ISBN 9780241585382 REVIEWED BY AASHI, 10, VIC Aashi reviewed her own copy of this book. James Norbury has written a fantastic story about Big Panda and Tiny Dragon. These best friends are always there for each other and help each other every day by being themselves. Tiny…
Book review: Camp Crypt
Twisted Trails: Camp Crypt by Fionna Cosgrove, published by Fionna Cosgrove, ISBN 9780645723342 REVIEWED BY AASHI, 10, VIC Aashi received a review copy of this title. You pull off a prank, only meant to teach a boy a lesson, when the boy almost dies. The next thing you know, you are on a bus to…
Sally Murphy on The Riding Gallery
Sally Murphy is an author, poet, speaker and educator based in the South West of Western Australia. Sally has published more than 40 books, and we’re thrilled to be chatting to Sally about her verse novel: The Riding Gallery, illustrated by Martina Heiduczek. From the publisher: In Melbourne's St Kilda, as World War 1 begins, Anton (a German…
Book review: Leo and Ralph
Leo and Ralph by Peter Carnavas, UQP, ISBN 9780702266218 REVIEWED BY ANWEN, 10, WA The publisher provided a review copy of this book. Leo and Ralph is a wonderful book to read if you’re looking for a story about best buds doing whatever they can to be with each other. This book contains lots of…
Charlie Archbold on The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage
Charlie Archbold has been a teacher in Australia, the UK, and Indonesia, which has given her a trove of experiences to infuse into her stories. Charlie's books often explore themes of curiosity, community, and justice. Today we're chatting to Charlie about the second book in her adventure series: The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage.…
Book review: Into the Blue
Into the Blue by Cristy Burne, Fremantle Press, ISBN 9781760993870 REVIEWED BY ELIZABETH, 11, NSW The publisher provided a review copy of this book. For his school holiday, Blair went snorkelling at the beach with his cousin. Blair walked into the ocean slowly as he spat into his snorkelling mask. He and his cousin, Drew,…
Amy Freund on Amigo the Capybara
Amy Freund's debut picture book is Amigo the Capybara, illustrated by Kooky Chooky. Today we're thrilled to be chatting with Amy about capybaras, writing in rhyme, and how she came to write the book. From the publisher: Amigo the capybara loves to party! But his neighbour, Mila the chinchilla, definitely does not. Will Amigo's biggest…
Book review: Real Friends
Real Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham, Roaring Brook Press, ISBN 9781626727854 Aashi reviewed her own copy of this graphic novel memoir. REVIEWED BY AASHI, AGE 10, VIC Meet Shannon, a girl who has four siblings and lives in a squishy, noisy house. She wants her best friend, Adrienne, all to herself. She has…
Book review: Remarkably Ruby
Remarkably Ruby by Terri Libenson, HarperCollins US, ISBN 9780063139183 Aashi reviewed her own copy of this graphic novel. REVIEWED BY AASHI, AGE 10, VIC Remarkably Ruby is a book about Ruby and Mia, two girls who used to be friends. Ruby is a kind and shy girl who loves poetry. Ruby has irritable bowel syndrome,…
Book review: A Pinch of Magic
A Pinch of Magic by Michelle Harrison, Simon and Schuster, ISBN 9781471124297 Aashi reviewed her own copy of this book. REVIEWED BY AASHI, AGE 10, VIC Meet the Winddershin sisters, Betty, Fliss and Charlie, girls who have a taste for adventure. Betty is an adventurist and wants to explore the world. Fliss is very pretty but…
2024 Young Readers Day Out at State Library of WA!
If you live near Perth, WA, make sure you're at the State Library of WA on 17 November for the 2024 Young Readers Day Out! Meet some of WA’s most well-known children’s book authors and illustrators for a morning packed with activities, including:• Helping illustrators compete in an interactive illustration duel• Learning how to draw…
Book review: Paws
REVIEWED BY OLIVIA, 12, QLD Paws by Kate Foster, Walker Books Australia, ISBN 9781760652661 Olivia's review of this book was longlisted in the 2024 Young Reviewers’ Competition. What do you do when you're trying to make cool friends? This is what 11-year-old autistic Alex thought about a lot. Alex knows the signs of emotions, so…
Book review: How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade Five
The publisher provided a review copy of this book. How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade Five by Carla Fitzgerald, ISBN 9780702268717, University of Queensland Press. REVIEWED BY AASHI, 10, VIC Sam is an eleven-year-old who loves world records. Sam isn’t the smartest and his mum thinks he needs to focus on school…
Book review: I am Rebel
REVIEWED BY REBEKAH, GRADE 5, NSW I am Rebel by Ross Montgomery, Walker Books, ISBN 9781529502909 Rebekah's review of this book was longlisted in the 2024 Young Reviewers’ Competition. This heartachingly tender quest novel is an adventure from the very first page. In Ross Montgomery's I Am Rebel, readers are whisked away into a world…