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Deb Fitzpatrick on Kelpie Chaos
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's own dog is a kelpie, who is absolutely not a failed sheep dog. Today we're talking to Deb about her latest novel, Kelpie Chaos. From…
Cristy Burne on Into the Blue
Cristy Burne writes fiction and nonfiction and her books are bursting with adventure, friendship, family, nature, science and technology. Cristy has worked as a science communicator for nearly 20 years across six countries. She has been a science circus performer, garbage analyst, museum writer, and atom-smashing reporter at CERN, but her all-time favourite job is…
Book Review: Maddy McAllister, Shipwreck Detective
REVIEWED BY ELIZABETH, 11, NSW Maddy McAllister: Shipwreck Detective (Aussie STEM stars series), story told by Deb Fitzpatrick, Wild Dingo Press, ISBN 9781925893823 Elizabeth received a review copy of this book. Six-year-old Maddy McAllister, a shipwreck detective, started her adventure in Wangi Falls – her favourite place to cool down. But then her parents took…
Tracey Dembo on This Book is a Time Machine
Tracey Dembo writes books encouraging big questions, daring dreams and wild imaginations. She's the author of two picture books: An A to Z of Dreaming Differently, illustrated by Lucia Masciullo, and This Book is a Time Machine, illustrated by Lucinda Gifford. Today we're excited to chat to Tracey about This Book is a Time Machine!…
Book review: The First Summer of Callie McGee
REVIEWED BY MIA, 11, WA The First Summer of Callie McGee by A.L. Tait, Scholastic Australia Pty Ltd, ISBN 9781760260163 Mia received a review copy of this book. The First Summer Of Callie McGee is a fantastic book written by A.L Tait. In this book Callie and her family friends go on a traditional trip…
WA school holiday event
Western Australian family-friendly event: Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy a morning of poetry and outdoor activities to celebrate the release of Right Way Down, a brand new children’s poetry collection from WA authors. Poetry readings; games; activities; light snacks; and book sales from Dymocks Subiaco.Some of the contributing authors will be there on the day for…
Emily Gale and Nova Weetman on Outlaw Girls
Emily Gale writes for children and for teenagers – you might know her novels I am out with Lanterns and The Other Side of Summer. Nova Weetman also writes for children and teenagers and you might have read some of her books, such as The Secrets We Keep and Sick Bay. Emily and Nova previously…
Peter Carnavas on Leo and Ralph
Peter Carnavas is the creator of over twenty books, many of which have been shortlisted or won awards. Peter's books have been translated into many languages. He lives on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. Today we're chatting about Leo and Ralph, his latest novel. From the publisher: Leo and Ralph have been best friends ever…
A.L. Tait on The First Summer of Callie McGee
Allison Tait (A.L. Tait) is the internationally published bestselling author of adventure series The Mapmaker Chronicles, the Ateban Cipher novels, and the Maven & Reeve Mysteries. Today we're chatting to A.L. Tait about her latest novel The First Summer of Callie McGee, a cosy mystery novel. From the publisher: It’s the last summer before Callie starts high school and…
Children’s Books at Perth Festival
Rebecca M. Newman, Alphabet Soup's managing editor and the co-editor of Right Way Down and Other Poems, will be at the Perth Festival Writers Weekend on Saturday 24 February 2024. You can catch Rebecca at two sessions. For adults: Presenters on the ‘Telling Tales’ panel at the 2024 Perth Festival Writers Weekend. 'Telling Tales' (panel session,…
Book review: Michelle Simmons, Quantum computing scientist
REVIEWED BY GABRIELLE, 12, NSW Michelle Simmons: Quantum computing scientist, told by Nova Weetman, Wild Dingo Press, ISBN 9781925893496 Gabrielle received a review copy of this book. Michelle Simmons: Quantum Computing Scientist is penned by Nova Weetman, recording the life of the Australian of the Year for 2019. It unfolds the remarkable journey of a young…
Book review: My Strange Shrinking Parents
REVIEWED BY AASHI, 9, VIC My Strange Shrinking Parents by Zeno Sworder, Thames & Hudson Australia Pty Ltd, ISBN 9781760761233 Aashi reviewed her own copy of this book. My Strange Shrinking Parents is a great book by Zeno Sworder. His book Is a fantastic read with an important moral at the end. The moral of…
Book review: Scout and the Rescue Dogs
REVIEWED BY ELIZABETH, 11, NSW Scout and the Rescue Dogs by Dianne Wolfer, illustrated by Tony Flowers, Walker Books Australia, ISBN 9781760655860 Elizabeth received a review copy of this book. Driving in Big Rig – Bill’s truck – Scout, who is in Year 7, and her dad deliver food to the dog shelters in Australia.…
Book Review: Countdown to Yesterday
REVIEWED BY GABRIEL, 13, NSW Countdown to Yesterday by Shirley Marr, Penguin Australia Pty Ltd, ISBN 9781761340598 The publisher provided a review copy of this book. Countdown to Yesterday by Shirley Marr introduces James, a 10–11-year-old boy whose world unravels when his parents suddenly divorce. The narrative unfolds with the aftermath of this disruption, as James…
Book review: Samara Rubin and the Utility Belt
REVIEWED BY AASHI, 9, VIC Samara Rubin and the Utility Belt by Sharon Giltrow, illustrated by Thu Vu, Clear Fork Press, ISBN 9781950169887 Aashi received a review copy of this book. Samara Rubin and The Utility Belt is a heartwarming story about a girl named Samara Rubin who is obsessed with geckos and faces bullying…
Book review: Gangsta Granny
REVIEWED BY AASHI, 9, VIC Gangsta Granny by David Walliams, HarperCollins, ISBN 9780007371440 Aashi reviewed her own copy of this book. Ben’s granny is your typical granny. She knits, loves Murray Mints, has fake teeth, loves Scrabble, has white hair, and is obsessed with cabbage. Ben reckons she’s the most boring person in the whole,…
Sharon Giltrow on Samara Rubin and the Utility Belt
Sharon Giltrow grew up surrounded by pet sheep, sandy beaches, fields of barley, and her seven siblings. Sharon is the author of three picture books – Bedtime, Daddy!, Get Ready, Mama! and Let's Go Shopping, Grandma! – and a chapter book, Samara Rubin and the Utility Belt. Today we're chatting to Sharon about that latest book,…
Book review: Wonder
REVIEWED BY AASHI, 9, VIC Wonder by RJ Palacio, Random House UK, ISBN 9780552565974 Aashi reviewed her own copy of this book. Wonder is a multi-award-winning book by RJ Palacio. It features August Pullman, a boy with a facial deformity. August faces bullies, fake friends, and lots more disastrous, catastrophic events. How will he survive…
Kitty Black on The Starting School List
Kitty Black has a background in psychology and teaching and believes stories are at the heart of who we are. Kitty is the author of many picture books, two of which have been translated into German and Turkish! Today we're chatting to Kitty about her latest picture book: The Starting School List, illustrated by Cate James.…
Book review: Positively Izzy
REVIEWED BY AASHI, 9, VIC Positively Izzy by Terri Libenson, HarperCollins Publishers, ISBN 9780062484963 Aashi reviewed her own copy of this book. Positively Izzy is about two girls – one named Brianna and the other named Izzy. It is a beautiful story that takes you through the ups and downs of two interlinked stories. Izzy…
Kristy Nita Brown on Where’s My Whistle?
MEET THE AUTHOR Kristy Nita Brown is a Western Australian author, writing junior fiction books and delivering creative writing, independent publishing and film making workshops at libraries and schools. Today we're pleased to be chatting to Kristy about the first book in her Mavey and Beth's Double Act series: Where's My Whistle?, illustrated by Alison…
Allison Rushby on The Christmas Wish
MEET THE AUTHOR Allison Rushby made a wish when she was six years old. She wished to be a ballerina with pierced ears. Not long after this, she wrote her very first book (not about a ballerina) and decided to be an author with pierced ears instead. She went on to write many more books,…
Book Review: Secret Agent Mole Book 2
REVIEWED BY REUBEN, 10, WA Secret Agent Mole, Book 2: The Boar Identity by James Foley, Scholastic Australia Pty Ltd, ISBN 9781761200168 Reuben received a review copy of this book. When I found this book in the mail I thought it would be about a secret mission where they had to break into a place…
Book review: The Midnight Manor
REVIEWED BY Ayaan, 12, VIC The Midnight Manor by Fionna Cosgrove, Lightning Source Inc., ISBN 9780645723304 Ayaan received a review copy of this book. The Midnight Manor is the first book in the twisted trails series and was published in 2023. It was written in a ‘choose your own adventure’ style, sharing the story of…
Book review: Indigo in the Storm
REVIEWED BY BELLA, 11, WA Indigo in the Storm by Kate Gordon, Yellow Brick Books, ISBN 9780645218039 Bella received a review copy of this book. Indigo in the Storm is a wonderful book from the award winning Kate Gordon. Kate Gordon has won many awards for this series. One of her unbelievable, award-winning books is…
Book review: Queen Narelle
REVIEWED BY AASHI, 9, VIC Queen Narelle by Sally Murphy, illustrated by Simon O'Carrigan, Walker Books Australia, ISBN 9781760655334 Aashi received a review copy of this book. Meet the Queen, her name is Narelle. Her subjects shall bow to her, whenever they greet her. She’s the keeper of the kingdom, ruler of the domain, and,…
Ashleigh Barton on Solomon Macaroni and the Vampire Vacation
MEET THE AUTHOR Ashleigh Barton lives in Sydney, Australia. As well as writing the Solomon Macaroni novels, Ashleigh is the author of several picture books. Today we’re pleased to have Ashleigh visiting Alphabet Soup to talk about the second book in the Solomon Macaroni series: Solomon Macaroni and the Vampire Vacation, illustrated by Sarah Davis. From…
Book review: Mermedusa
REVIEWED BY RORY, 11, WA Mermedusa by Thomas Taylor, Walker Books Australia, ISBN 9781529502138 Rory received a review copy of this book. Prepare for a wild, mysterious and funny adventure in Mermedusa, the final book in the Eerie-on-Sea book series. Join Herbie and Violet as ghostly things begin happening in the seaside town of Eerie-on-Sea.…
Book review: Ghosts
REVIEWED BY AASHI, 9, VIC Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier, Scholastic Inc, ISBN 9780545540629 Aashi reviewed her own copy of this book. Ghosts is a graphic novel written and illustrated by an outstanding author Raina Telgemeier. The main character is Catrina who doesn’t want to move to the coast of Northern California. They move because of…
Book review: One Wrong Turn
REVIEWED BY HANNAH, 11, WA One Wrong Turn by Chenée Marrapodi, Fremantle Press, ISBN 9781760992439 Hannah received a review copy of this title. Amelia wants to get the lead role in a ballet concert but there’s a new girl (Valentina) who’s really good, so it will be harder for Amelia to get the lead role.…
Book review: The Third Form at St Clare’s
REVIEWED BY AASHI, 9, VIC The Third Form at St Clare's by Enid Blyton, Hachette Children's Books, ISBN 9781444930030 Aashi reviewed her own copy of this book. School days at St. Clare’s are never dull for Patricia and Isabel O’Sullivan. When the mistresses announce that the third form shall be running their production, trouble starts.…
Chenée Marrapodi on One Wrong Turn
MEET THE AUTHOR Chenée Marrapodi is an author and journalist who has danced ballet and jazz her whole life, loving the stories that can be created through movement. Today we're pleased to be talking to Chenée about her debut novel One Wrong Turn. From the publisher: Amelia is a ballerina on the rise — she’s…
Book review: Meet Me at the Moon Tree
REVIEWED BY MILLA, 11, WA Meet Me at the Moon Tree by Shivaun Plozza, UQP, ISBN 9780702266171 The publisher provided a review copy of this book. Carina promised her Dad that they would find a Moon Tree together. Sadly Carina’s Dad passes away before they get to do so, so Carina is more determined than…
Dianne Wolfer on Scout and the Rescue Dogs
MEET THE AUTHOR Dianne Wolfer lives on the south coast of Western Australia, but she grew up in Melbourne, Bangkok and Albury. Dianne writes picture books, novels for children and teenagers, and nonfiction for all ages. Today we’re chatting to Dianne about her latest novel Scout and the Rescue Dogs, illustrated by Tony Flowers. From the…
Book review: It’s the Sound of the Thing
It's the Sound of the Thing by Maxine Beneba Clarke, Hardie Grant Children's Publishing, ISBN 9781761212123 REVIEWED BY NINA, 10, NSW. Nina received a review copy of this book. Maxine Beneba Clarke’s book It's the Sound of the Thing is a stunning collection of 100 poems that features limericks, haikus, sonnets, tongue twisters, funny poems,…
Shivaun Plozza on Meet Me at the Moon Tree
MEET THE AUTHOR Shivaun Plozza is an award-winning writer for children and young adults. She lives in Geelong with her cat, Fenchurch. Today we're thrilled to chat to Shivaun about her latest book Meet Me at the Moon Tree. From the publisher: For Carina Sugden, nothing is more special than a moon tree – a tree…
Book review: Mars Underground
REVIEWED BY GABRIEL, 12, NSW Mars Underground by HM Waugh, A&U Children's, ISBN 9781761067105 Gabriel received a review copy of this book. Mars Underground is a sequel to Mars Awakens written by HM Waugh. The main characters Dee, Holt and Chayse live in the Davinci colony on Mars. The colony will soon die out due to radiation-tainted genetics.…
Book review: Winterkill
REVIEWED BY QIAO, 12, MANITOBA, CANADA Winterkill by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch, Scholastic, ISBN 9781338831412 Qiao reviews her own copy of this book. In 1930 an attack strike on Kharkiv, Ukraine, brings the bitter wind of early winter. It is a battle not only against famine but also against the Soviet Union's dictatorship. Twelve-year-old Nyl, a courageous…
Wendy Orr on Honey and the Valley of Horses
MEET THE AUTHOR Wendy Orr is an award-winning author with 40 books for children, teenagers and adults Her books have been published in 29 languages and her Nim’s Island books were made into movies. We're thrilled to be talking to Wendy about her latest book – Honey and the Valley of Horses. From the publisher: When Honey…
Book review: The Red Pyramid
REVIEWED BY OLIVIA, 9, WINNEPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA The Kane Chronicles: The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan, Penguin UK, ISBN 9780141325507 Olivia reviews her own copy of this title. The Red Pyramid is a fascinating and enchanting book about two siblings who have their lives turned upside down as they embark on an adventure of Egyptian…