Kids' Book Review

Interview: Charlie Archbold

2026-06-13T05:00:00.000+10:00

Charlie Archbold's The Sugarcane Kids series has become a favourite with young readers for its blend of mystery, adventure and authentic Far North Queensland settings.

In her latest instalment, The Sugarcane Kids and the Mystery at Angel Bay, Andy and his friends find themselves investigating a new puzzle that threatens both their community and the natural environment they love. Combining page-turning suspense with themes of friendship, courage and environmental stewardship, the novel offers readers another engaging adventure with the resourceful Sugarcane Kids taking charge.

Kids' Book Review spoke with Charlie about the inspiration behind the story, creating memorable mysteries for young readers, and what lies ahead for the series.

Q: What first inspired the idea for Sugarcane Kids and the Mystery at Angel Bay, and how did the setting of Angel Bay come to life for you?

The idea for Sugarcane Kids and the Mystery at Angel Bay came from a couple of things. Firstly, a greedy Queensland grouper fish that was regularly fed by locals in a place I knew well. Animals are very important characters in the community where the Sugarcane Kids live and I wanted to introduce a fish, so Jerry came to life. Secondly, I have seen how the region has been developed over time and I wanted to explore this threat to habitat.

Q: This book and the first two Sugarcane Kids titles in the series combine mystery, adventure, and friendship so effectively — what drew you to writing in this genre for young readers?

When I was young I loved reading stories that combined mystery, adventure and friendship and I wanted to write books that gave me the same sense of excitement and independence. I love writing stories where the young protagonists need to solve problems and help others without too much adult intervention.

Q: How did you develop the personalities and dynamics of the Sugarcane Kids, and was there one character you connected with most while writing?

The story is told from Andy’s point of view so I do feel very connected to him and his family and friends. I can easily get into Andy’s head when I am writing. The joy of writing a series is that you can expand on the cast of characters you create in the first book and build backstory and relationships. That has been so much fun.

Q: The atmosphere of the story feels vivid and immersive. Did any real places, memories, or experiences influence the world of Angel Bay?

I was lucky to have lived and worked in Far North Queensland so the region is very familiar to me. It is an amazing part of Australia. Every time I visit I discover more and that often leads to new story ideas. The world of Angel Bay is influenced by the Great Barrier Reef. Not only life out on the reef and ocean, but on the beaches and landscape that border it. It is a fragile and interconnected environment.

Q: Mystery stories rely on suspense and clues — what was the most challenging part of balancing twists and reveals for a younger audience?

I think plotting the reveals and solutions is the hardest part in writing mystery stories. You don’t want to give too much away because you want your reader to solve the mystery alongside your characters. It is hard if one character knows something and another doesn’t, so you have to double-check those plot twists.

Q: What do you hope young readers take away from the story beyond solving the mystery itself?

I hope they get the idea that everyone can make a difference in their world and that this is best done with the help of friendship and community.

Q: Are you currently working on another adventure for the Sugarcane Kids, or exploring any new writing projects readers can look forward to?

I don’t have a contract to write another one yet, but I am doing one anyway. It is going to be a ghost adventure that takes place on a school camp called The Sugarcane Kids and the Ghost of Pandora Park. I love writing these stories and characters so I am going to keep going until they have had all the adventures I think they need.

Q: What’s your one golden nugget of advice for other writers hoping to enter the magical world of children’s literature?

Know your readership so you solve the plot as your young readers would. Essentially, think like a child or young adult if you are writing in their world. This helps makes your writer voice more authentic.

Title: The Sugarcane Kids and the Mystery at Angel Bay
Author: Charlie Archbold
Illustrator: R.S. Miller
Publisher: Text Publishing
Publication Date: 31 March 2026
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781923058385
For ages: 8-12 years
Type: Junior Fiction

Review: Possum Tragic

2026-06-13T05:00:00.000+10:00

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.

More recently, Maree has delved into the creation of searing yet sensitive commentaries on Australian culture, such as Azaria: A True History.

In Possum Tragic: A Tale of Pumpkins and Plastic she continues her exploration of culture, this time turning her attention to ideas of invasion and pollution, and the meaningless waste that comes with holidays such as Halloween. It is a ghoulish tale told from the perspective of one of Australia’s much-loved critters, the possum.

Referring to humans simply as 'The Neighbours', the possum tells its own Halloween horror story, exposing our fascination with the holiday and the inevitable commercialism that comes with it. Along the way, Coote touches on issues including copyright, child labour and big business, tracing a trail of plastic waste from the possum’s suburban neighbourhood all the way to the ocean, where it continues to impact wildlife and the environment.

The kids saw the rubbish from down at the beach,
They'd had no idea just how far it could reach.
An iceberg of junk could be seen from the shore
And deep underneath, you just knew there was more.

The heavy-hitting message is deftly balanced with jaunty rhyming text and colourful, richly detailed illustrations for children to pore over. Maree never loses sight of her audience, delivering an important environmental message without tipping into preachiness. Instead, the story invites the opportunity for big discussions about consumption, waste and the impact our celebrations can have on the natural world around us.

Part cautionary tale, part visual feast, Possum Tragic is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Title: Possum Tragic: A Tale of Pumpkins & Plastic
Author/Illustrator: Maree Coote
Publisher: MelbourneStyle Books, $29.99
Publication Date: June 2026
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780645910612
For ages: 6+
Type: Picture Book

Junior Review: Saving Shark Pup

2026-06-12T05:00:00.001+10:00

This is the true story about a shark pup that had to leave its mother and gets stuck on a beach.

But there are always people to help, and help they do.

Little shark pup washed up on Manley Beach, Sydney, in September 2017.

It was only a baby and had no mother. A group of divers found him stuck on the rocks and took care of him until he was ready to be let out into the ocean.

I love this book because even though great white sharks can be dangerous to people, the drivers still helped, showing kindness and love.

Both kids and adults will love this book.

Title: Saving Shark Pup
Author: Sharon Dalgleish
Illustrator: Amandine Thomas
Publisher: Allen and Unwin, $24.99
Publication Date: 3 February 2026
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781761182013
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Books

Review: Drawing Nudes While Making Other Plans

2026-06-11T05:00:00.000+10:00

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.

But now Emmy is gone, and there are no plans for how to arrive late on day one and find yourself seated next to an attractive boy, or for staying calm when drawing your first penis.

When the story begins, Emmy is already gone, but the reader is able to hear her voice through the plans written for Cleo that are scattered throughout the novel. The reader also gets to experience their strong sister bond and Emmy’s desire to help Cleo flourish. Cleo is finding it difficult to move on after the loss of Emmy, and her fear of forgetting her sister has an impact on her daily life.

Cleo describes herself as ‘overly self-conscious and utterly indecisive’, but over the summer of firsts, we witness her growing in self-assurance as both an artist and a person. Through the strong inner monologue, we experience great insight into Cleo’s growth, and particularly her feelings about new friendships with cool Remi, fun and self-confident Lachlan, and reserved, thoughtful Mattias.

Unfolding events give Cleo opportunities to discover her own bravery and conviction as the story touches on issues such as women’s bodies and consent.

The adult characters in the story are supportive, while letting Cleo work things out for herself. Betty the art teacher encourages Cleo to celebrate her mistakes, and while her parents would like to see her move on from the loss of Emmy, they let her process the grief in her own way.

At the art exhibition on the final day, we can see just how far Cleo has come as she writes and enacts her own plan for the future.

The intriguing title and stunning cover design by Hazel Lam will surely have teenagers reaching for this book, and the warm and funny story will not disappoint.

Drawing Nudes While Making Other Plans is a wonderful coming of age novel, suitable for readers 14 plus.

Title: Drawing Nudes While Making Other Plans
Author: Zoe Gaetjens
Publisher: Penguin, $19.99
Publication Date: 5 May 2026
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781761358012
For ages: 14+
Type: Young Adult Fiction

Review - Banjo Paterson : Man From Snowy River / Waltzing Matilda

2026-06-10T05:00:00.042+10:00

Iconic Australian poetry classics in the hands of babies? As they say it’s never too young to start. Two of Banjo Paterson’s famous poems are available as beautiful board books, edited by Kathryn England and illustrated by the talented Cate James.

Banjo Paterson - The Man From Snowy River begins with that most memorable line we all can recite, ‘There was movement at the station for the word had got around that the colt from old Regret had got away’ and off we go.

With the 13 stanza poem reduced down to the key moments in the story, this eye-catching presentation manages to combine Australian poetry with colours and numbers to engage the young reader.

As Kathryn’s words simply retell the poem, Cate has filled the pages with corresponding colours and numbers that pay tribute to our native Australian plants and animals. Each page has a dedicated colour, numbers, both numeral and word, alongside Australian plants or animals. For instance, as the horsemen pass the clump of mimosa, the page is orange with corresponding text and illustrations and the inclusion of 4 (FOUR) orange banksia.

Young readers can interact with the book finding and counting fauna and flora, whilst the rhythm of words wash over them. The older reader can revive memories and perhaps be inspired to revisit the original and longer form of the poem.

Banjo Paterson - Waltzing Matilda repeats this engaging formula with Kathryn’s cleverly edited version and Cate’s bold and perfectly matched illustrations, enticing engagement for the little ones.

Those reading to the younger child will find it difficult not to launch into song and include the well known chorus we hear so often at events.

Again the child can identify colours, numbers and numerals, as well as becoming familiar with animals, plants and landscapes found in the bush and poem.

Keeping true to the text means the child will soon learn some original bush terms such as swagman, jumbuck and troopers and enable them to truly enjoy such classic poetry.

These books will no doubt be fabulous inclusions on shelves in bedrooms and what a wonderful way to begin a child’s love of poetry by exposing them to such classics. Parents will enjoy reading these to their children and the little ones will enjoy learning about Australia and one of its favourite poets through colour, numbers and his iconic poetry.

Title: Banjo Paterson Australian Classics for Little Ones : The Man From Snowy River and Waltzing Matilda.
Author: AB Paterson Edited by Kathryn England
Illustrator: Cate James
Publisher: Penguin, $14.99
Publication Date: 8 April 2026
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781761355110; 9781761355103
For ages: 0 - 5
Type: Board Book

Review: The Escape Game

2026-06-10T05:00:00.000+10:00

Reality TV, escape rooms, quirky characters with a side of murder? Yes please! The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss is an exciting YA novel that follows a group of teenagers selected to compete on the latest season of the renowned TV show, The Escape Game. But the only thing is - the last season didn’t go so well…. Season four ended in tragedy, with a contestant brutally murdered on the day of the grand finale - and the mystery is still unsolved.

As the new group of contestants step into the game, what begins as a high-stakes competition quickly takes a darker turn. Suspicion lingers, tensions rise, and it becomes clear that the danger may not be confined to the puzzles. With secrets lurking beneath the surface and everyone a possible suspect, the contestants must navigate not only the challenges of the game, but the chilling possibility that history could repeat itself if the murder is not solved.

I really, really enjoyed this book! It was great fun, and such a unique concept. I loved that it was a mystery within a mystery - each escape room bringing more clues, and adding more layers to the murder from previous season.

The book featured a diverse suite of characters - most of which were really engaging. I loved that the diversity didn’t feel forced and that each characters identity was seamlessly woven into the story. The story was told through multiple POVs which I appreciated! It added further depth to the characters and I loved that each character had a unique voice.

Honestly - the ending felt a little lacklustre and predictable. The motive for the murder fell a little flat. But all in all, this was a fun read. I’d recommend this to anyone aged 12+ - particularly to any puzzle lovers or escape room enthusiasts. The story sets itself up for a sequel, which I look forward to reading!

Title: The Escape Game
Author: Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss
Publisher: Penguin Books, $22.99
Publication Date: 8 April, 2026
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781761356179
For ages: 12+
Type: Young Adult

Review: Monkeypig

2026-06-09T05:00:00.000+10:00

Molly has been happily living in the jungle with all the other monkeys. But Molly has a secret. She is in fact a pig. No one had ever noticed, but after a non-monkey scent is discovered, suspicion begins to rise that an impostor has infiltrated the group. Can Molly manage to go undetected or will she get found out and banished from the group forever?

Monkeypig is the hilarious tale of a portly yet charming pig that must face a series of challenges to prove that she is actually a monkey. With her short legs, almost non-existent tail and obvious hooves instead of hands situation, this seems to be an impossible task. But somehow against all odds things just seem to work out for her. I won’t spoil the ending but the twist will have kids laughing a and cheering for Molly, as they should.

Author, illustrator and cartoonist Huw Aaron has created a book that includes everything children love. An over the top story full of humour and chaos and illustrations that completely match the situation.

On the first read, Molly is the obvious centre of attention but on subsequent reads (of which there will be many) the personalities of all the background characters begin to stand out. Their hairstyles, body language and facial expressions will bring a smile to the toughest of critics.

Huw’s illustration style has an effortless childlike feel with unpolished edges and scribbly lines. Some may assume this is something easy to achieve but it is in fact the opposite. The flawless compositions and expert use of colour along with layers of texture and movement show that Huw has spent many years perfecting his craft.

Monkeypig is a fun, laugh out loud story that kids will immediately resonate with. They say not to judge a book by its cover but one look at Monkeypig tells you everything you need to know about what goes on inside.

One last note. Knowing kids like I do, make sure you are prepared with an answer when they inevitably ask why Molly was in the jungle in the first place. Good Luck.

Title: Monkeypig
Author/illustrator: Huw Aaron
Publisher: Puffin
Publication Date: 8 April 2026
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780241814789
For ages: 5+
Type: Picture book

Review: Exploring the Elements - A Complete Guide to the Periodic Table

2026-06-08T05:00:00.001+10:00

This book – and its companion books (see below) are like the perfect day for me. With caramel on top. The joy they bring me – I can't even.

The thing about this stunning series is that it is intensely comprehensive yet served in bite-sized pieces... an intellectual smorgasbord that keeps you coming back for more.

In Exploring the Elements, my periodic table fangirl side entered overdrive. Earth's elements are a regular fascination but this deep dive, sans too-boggling jargon, will cram young heads with wows.

Opening with an introduction to the elements (the building blocks of everything), we learn about atoms, the organisation of elements, the periodic table and how it was created (thank you, Dmitri Mendeleev). It also covers where Earth's elements are found (fascinating!) and, of course, how to use the book (lest one's head explodes).

We start with Hydrogen because it is, quite literally, everywhere. The remainder of the book is then divided into several sections, including Alkali Metals, Alkaline Earth Metals, Transition Metals, Metalloids, Non-Metals – all with colour-coded pages.

Each element is then represented on its own double-page spread, with a designated repeat format that draws the eye around curated pockets of information. Even the text is well-thought, with tall line height that both aids comprehension and doesn't overwhelm.

I love how clever iconography on each of these spreads shows us where the element is found on the periodic table, whether it's deadly (radium!), where it might be found in the human body (hopefully not radium!), key properties, where it's found in nature or space, its forms and uses, and more.

Isabel Thomas has a true knack for extracting science in a way that's not only thorough, but fascinating for kids of all ages. Her dedication to this mind blowing topic is impressive; I can't imagine how long this excavation took – all kudos to her for uncovering such treasure.

Super cool illustrations and bright pops of acid colour by Sara Gillingham give the books a timeless, modern edge, and absolutely aid enjoyment and comprehension. Her quirky, graphic design style will appeal to all ages.

The books in this series are relatively sophisticated in terms of language and content, but a clear voice and excellent editing means kids from as young as 8 would enjoy all of part of them. A glossary and book/website suggestions round out the book, and the reverse of the dust jacket features a full periodic table and other info.

A dream tome for wannabe scientists.

Other books in the series:

Exploring the Universe: A Complete Guide to the Cosmos

Full of Life: Exploring Earth's Biodiversity

Seeing Stars: A Complete Guide to the 88 Constellations

Title: Exploring the Elements: A Complete Guide to the Periodic Table
Author: Isabel Thomas
Illustrator: Sara Gillingham
Publisher: Phaidon Press, $34.95
Publication Date: October 2020
Format: Hardcover, comprehensive dust jacket
ISBN: 9781838661601
For ages: 8+
Type: Non-Fiction

Sunday Shelfie - WANTED: The Cutest Baby in the World

2026-06-07T05:00:00.000+10:00

Happy #sundayshelfie day! It is my pleasure to welcome the wonderful Sarah Zweck. This week we are celebrating the gorgeous picture book Sarah has created with Davina Bell, WANTED: The Cutest Baby in the World.

Late one evening, a detective knocks on the door of two exhausted parents. She’s on the hunt for the world’s most devious master criminal: The Cutest Baby in the World...

Should you find yourself in this rogue’s clutches, your entire world will be turned upside-down! But the most villainous bit? You wouldn’t have it any other way.

A delightfully mischievous book for children who were once the cutest baby in the world - and for new babies who are about to be!

Written by Davina Bell
Illustrated by Sarah Zweck
Published by Thames and Hudson Australia

Visit Picture Book Book Club @picturebookbc on Instagram

Meet The Illustrator: Cate James

2026-06-06T05:00:00.000+10:00

Name, title, location:
Cate James, author/illustrator, Northern Beaches, Sydney

Describe your illustration style in ten words or fewer.
Contemporary, with a nod to books I grew up with.

What items are an essential part of your creative space?
Wacom tablet and iMac, light box, one million pencils and two sausage dogs

Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
Drawing and screen printing

Name three artists whose work inspires you.
Quentin Blake, Andy Warhol and Jon Klassen

Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?
As a printmaker, I would have loved to see Warhol in action at The Factory. His screen prints are part of the reason I studied printmaking for my undergrad degree in Edinburgh. They are iconic and timeless. I was 15 when he died, so I just missed out!

Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?
I decided to study for a Master's in Illustration ten years after graduating from my printmaking degree. In between, I travelled a lot and spent time in Sydney and worked in catering and events management, which I really didn’t enjoy at all. After moving into a new house, which had space for a studio, it all kind of fell into place and I started to create again. Illustration seemed like the right fit, so I applied to return to Edinburgh College of Art and the rest is history!

Share a photo of your creative workspace or part of the area where you work most often. Talk us through it.

My studio is at the back of my house, looking onto my jungle of a garden. I’m lucky to have enough space to have a drawing desk and a computer desk, and just about enough room for all the books I’ve collected. I used to be a bit of a hoarder, but having packed up my house in Scotland to emigrate to Sydney, that’ll never happen again!

I still have too much stuff, but I wouldn’t be without it. I recently used pencils that I’d been saving-for-best since childhood and I’m now 54.

What is your favourite part of the illustration process?
I have two favourite parts.

The first is the hardest part of the process – reading the manuscripts and drawing all the images that appear in my head. It’s amazing to look back at the worlds I’ve created for these characters.

The second is the easiest part – colouring in the hours and hours of line work I’ve drawn for each book.

What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
Draw all the time, even if it’s scribbling while you’re watching TV. You never know when you might need some research drawings of the most random thing, and you might just have it in your sketchbook. It also creates and builds confidence in your own style.

Don’t try to draw like anyone else, or compare yourself to others, just do your own thing. There’ll always be other amazing artists whose work you’ll admire (and be jealous of), that never stops, but however you create is right for you.

Cate James has been a full-time illustrator since 2011. When she’s not drawing for children's books, she likes to find different ways to be an artist. She is a lecturer and technician at UNSW, volunteers at the Sydney Children’s Hospital in Westmead, and visits schools to talk about books. Cate has illustrated over fifty books for publishers in Australia, the UK and the US, and was awarded the Penguin Random House Illustrators’ Showcase Award in 2019. Find out what Cate is up to via her Instagram page or check out all her books and get in touch through her website.

Review: Australian Backyard Buddies

2026-06-05T05:00:00.001+10:00

There is something truly delightful about a book that encourages young readers to pause… to look closely… and to notice what has always been there. Australian Backyard Buddies does exactly that.

This engaging text celebrates a range of living creatures that share our everyday spaces. It invites curiosity with its unique contents page, drawing readers into a world that is familiar yet often overlooked.

Each double page offers bite-sized information about backyard creatures - their habits, habitats and behaviours.

There are “Top Tips” that bring both humour and insight. These small details are powerful. They encourage readers to linger, question and wonder.

The illustrations are detailed and full of personality. They do more than support the facts, they invite readers to notice. Every read reveals something new, making it a joy to return to again and again.

Most importantly, it inspires action. It encourages learners to step outside, to explore their own backyard, and to see it through a new lens.

A wonderful book for young readers that brings together curiosity, creativity and connection to the natural world.

Title: Australian Backyard Buddies
Author/Illustrator: Andy Geppert
Publisher: Lothian Children's Books
Publication Date: 27 July 2022
Format: Hardback

ISBN: 9780734421470
For ages: 3+
Type: Non-Fiction Picture Book

Review: The World From Here

2026-06-04T05:00:00.000+10:00

Milo lies on the grass gazing at the clouds and sees shapes and animals. Maya looks out the window of a plane and sees the blue sky and clouds and a patchwork-quilt-like landscape below.

Continuing from these vantage points, we are taken on a journey filled with ponderings and interesting facts all about the wonder of the natural world, including how the weather makes us feel, along with mindfulness and calming strategies.

Heartwarming illustrations add to the story, providing warmth and texture, and characters to connect with in this lovely non-fiction new release.

Included at the back is a handy glossary for young readers, and teacher notes are also available on the publisher's website.

Title: The World From Here
Author: Cassy Polimeni
Illustrator: Mel Armstrong
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing, $26.99
Publication Date: February 2026
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781486319855
For ages: 5-9 years
Type: Picture Book

Review: The Last Word

2026-06-03T05:00:00.009+10:00

Friendship, first crushes and finding your voice all come together in the delightful middle grade novel The Last Word by A.L. Tait. The third book in the Two Hearts series is a light-hearted yet thoughtful story that captures the emotional landscape of early adolescence with warmth, humour and authenticity.

Matilda Bell begins the school year without her best friend by her side and soon finds herself constantly clashing with a new classmate. When they’re forced to work together on the school debating team, their rivalry slowly shifts into something more complicated. Along the way, Matilda must navigate changing friendships, growing confidence and the tentative beginnings of first love.

The Last Word explores a time that many readers will recognise: the moment when friendships start shifting, confidence wobbles and feelings become a little more complicated. At the centre of the story are characters navigating school life, debating competitions, family expectations and the uncertain terrain of young love.

What makes this novel particularly engaging for middle grade readers is its balance. The story is undeniably fun and easy to read, with plenty of humour and relatable school moments, but it also gently touches on some of the core concerns that often emerge during these years. Themes of friendship, identity, bullying, and the pressure to fit in are woven naturally through the narrative. Readers will also recognise the bittersweet experience of friendships changing — especially when friends move away — and the uncertainty that can come with growing up.

One of the highlights of the story is the ongoing debating focus. The debating competitions add a clever structural thread to the narrative while also reinforcing one of the novel’s key ideas: learning to find and use your voice. Through debate preparation, arguments and team dynamics, the characters grapple with confidence, communication and standing up for what they believe in.

The romance element is handled beautifully for the intended age group. Rather than rushing into dramatic declarations, the story offers just enough slow-burn tension to keep readers invested. It captures the tentative excitement of first crushes in a way that feels completely appropriate for readers around the same age as the characters. Sweet, funny and genuine, the relationships feel authentic rather than overly dramatic.

Importantly, The Last Word never loses sight of the joy of storytelling. The tone remains warm and playful throughout, creating a reading experience that feels comforting and engaging. It’s the kind of book that young readers can easily lose themselves in while still seeing reflections of their own lives and worries on the page.

Perfect for readers who are beginning to explore stories about relationships and identity, The Last Word is an enjoyable and reassuring middle grade read. It captures the awkward, exciting and sometimes confusing world of early teen years with kindness and humour.

Title: The Last Word

Author: A.L. Tait

Publisher: Scholastic, $17.99

Publication Date: 1 April, 2026

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9781761646874

For ages: 10+

Type: Middle Grade

Review: Spare Kisses

2026-06-02T05:00:00.012+10:00

Eve has the most loveable Nan. Nan’s heart and house abounds in all things love and fun.

She has all a grandchild adores - delicious treats, craft supplies, spare keys to her doors and open arms for hugs.

Nan has ‘spares’ for every occasion and is patient, kind and generous to everyone.

Amongst her treasures and pleasures she has spare kisses. These are the kisses she gives to Eve when she is sad, hurt or lonely.

They’re special - kept for when Eve needs them most. A scraped knee, broken toys or when your day is not going well, can all be made right by one of Nan’s kisses she keeps for such moments.

Inspired by Pip’s own mum and the beautiful relationship she has with her grandchildren, Pip has captured the special bond between grandmother and grandchild. The endless joy, love and affection oozes from the pages of this delightful rhyming text. And in a most heart-tugging twist, Pip presents us with a ‘tables are turned’ scenario when Nan finds herself in need of love and care and Eve is there to comfort her.

Yiscah Marcatili’s has used soft gentle watercolours to create an atmosphere of love and happiness in the joyous times and slightly darker colours for days and moments when things go wrong. The contrasts with colours, as well as the attention to the different facial emotions, help to support the power Nan’s kisses have to change the dark moments to lighter happier times.

There are many books that celebrate the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren and we know a special kiss from a special person has the power to make the world right again. But this book also highlights how the special relationship between Nan and Eve is a powerful example that special role models in our lives teach us valuable lessons. The reader can see that giving is just as joyful as receiving and we all have the power, even in a simple way, to make another’s world just that little bit better.

As a grandma I found this a joyous book to share with my little ones, who love kisses and delight being in the company of that special someone.

Teaching notes available

Ages 4+

Title: Spare Kisses
Author: Pip Harry
Illustrator: Yiscah Marcatili
Publisher: Hachette Australia, $24.99
Publication Date: 31 March 2026
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780734423511
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Book

Review: Dresses are for Messes

2026-06-01T05:00:00.006+10:00

'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.

Janet Samuel’s illustrations are lively and detailed with a wonderful sense of movement, capturing Tess in all her twirling, whirling, tree climbing glory. She has beautifully brought to life the elements of Tess’s imagination including dragons, unicorns, and mermaids.

There is an adventure on every page turn, and children will enjoy spotting Tess’s four-legged friend on each spread. Eventually we see Tess dressed in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt… but only because it’s laundry day!

This is a gorgeous book that may result in a shopping trip to buy more dresses.

Title: Dresses are for Messes
Author: Elizabeth Pulsford
Illustrator: Janet Samuel
Publisher: Five Mile, $24.99
Publication Date: June 2026
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781923457713
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture book

Sunday Shelfie - Here, Bear and Everywhere

2026-05-31T05:00:00.000+10:00

Happy #sundayshelfie day! It is my pleasure to welcome the wonderful Damian Balassone and Jess Racklyeft. This week we are celebrating their gorgeous new picture book Here, Bear and Everywhere.

Meet a pear bear, a share bear, even an éclair bear in this beary fun-filled romp through rhyme!

With Damian Balassone’s playful poetry and Jess Racklyeft’s irresistible illustrations, this book delights little ones – while its clever rhymes and gentle humour make it a joy for parents to read again and again.

Written by Damian Balassone
Illustrated by Jess Racklyeft
Published by Little Book Press

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12 Curly Questions with author Maree Coote

2026-05-30T05:00:00.001+10:00

1. What's your hidden talent?

Cooking

2. Who is your favourite literary villain and why?
Cruella de Vil of Hell Hall, from The Hundred and One Dalmatians, by Dodie Smith. Larger than life, stylishly evil, perverse, entitled, greedy, vain and shameless, Cruella is also graphically arresting — with hair half black and half white. She’s also a woman, and it’s time for more women villains.

3. You're hosting a literary dinner party, which five authors would you invite? (alive or dead)
Tom Stoppard, Lewis Carroll, Dr Seuss, Edward Lear, Germaine Greer.

4. Which literary invention do you wish was real?
The Invisibility Cloak, whether from King Arthur, Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter, or from any number of other folk tales and stories that feature such a wonder. This is one invention I know I could put to good use seven days a week!

5. What are five words that describe your writing process?
Simultaneous (art and words come together), fun, consuming, spontaneous, explorative.

6. Which are the five words you would like to be remembered by as a writer?
Meaningful, interesting, timely, fun, courageous.

7. Picture your favourite writing space. What are five objects you would find there?
A window to the garden, pens, paper, indoor plant, coffee.

8. Grab the nearest book, open it to page 22 and look for the second word in the first sentence. Now, write a line that starts with that word. (Please include the name of the book!)
‘Breakfast’ from page 22 of What’s Next, Shane?
Breakfast looked great, but it’s hard to tell with mushrooms these days.

9. If you could ask one author one question, what would the question be and who would you ask?
I’d ask Dr Seuss: “What was the genesis of the whacky design style of your imagery? Where did this mad world and kooky characters come from? Why is nonsense so important?”

10. Which would you rather do: Never write another story or never read another book?
I can’t stop writing. Maybe I can still read journal articles?

Maree Coote is a writer, designer, illustrator, photographer and publisher. She has enjoyed an award-winning career in advertising and understands Melbourne's unique advantage well. Her many creative passions converge in her studies of Melbourne's history, which is the focus of her work in object design and in publishing over the past ten years. Maree is passionate about a sense of place and history, and she brings this to life in multiple platforms for multiple audiences. Her affinity for Melbourne is unique and highly informed. Her skill is bringing ideas to life, and communicating ideas to any audience 'in whatever form gives them most power: books, artwork, song, stories, design, film...'. For more information, see www.melbournestyle.com.au.

Junior Review: Forest of Hearts

2026-05-29T05:00:00.001+10:00

Forest of Hearts is an amazing romance fantasy novel for young adults. It has you biting your nails through each twist and turn of the story.

MA Kuznair doesn't fail to impress as her words whirl around your head and create images of the story as if you were there!

I loved this retelling of the classic Snow White story and everything in it. I read this book from start to finish without stopping, and then read it all over again!

This is a fantastic novel, and I recommend it to readers ages 13+.

Title: Forest of Hearts
Author: MA Kuznair
Publisher: Simon and Schuster, $
Publication Date: 28 October 2025
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781398551916
For ages: 13+
Type: Young Adult

Review: Don't Let Them Leave

2026-05-28T05:00:00.001+10:00

Sometimes a title alone is enough to draw you to a book. Pair that with a somewhat ominous cover showing a shadowy house in the middle of a stormy sea, an author who can get readers laughing in one book and quivering in the next and a killer logline, and you just can’t help but be hooked.

And that’s before you even read the prologue!

After their parents are killed in a car accident, Charlotte and her younger siblings, Jack and Emily, find themselves on a train to Cornwall – a place they’ve never been – to live with a grandmother they never knew they had.

Right from the start, there's something off about the solicitor, Mr Frankelweiss. And from that point on, nothing seems to add up.

There’s nobody to take them to train station, let alone accompany them on their journey. If it wasn’t for the appearance of a random boy, who helps them onto the moving train, they would’ve missed it.

Once they arrive in Cornwall, it seems there’s no-one there to meet them, until they realise a man with a horse and cart is waiting outside. But even he refuses to take them the whole way, instead leaving the three children to make their way across the causeway, racing against the rapidly incoming tide, to the house on Black Island.

Then there’s the fact that nobody seems to be home. In fact, the only living creatures seem to be the ravens.

With no other options, the children stay in the house, alone – save for a cat that Charlotte was sure was dead when they arrived.

Then their grandmother appears out of nowhere. Suddenly, the house is clean and the cupboards are full of food.

Don’t Let Them Leave is not a story for the faint-hearted. If you don’t like ghosts, curses or nail-biting tension in your stories, this book is not for you. However, if you do, and you also like Gothic tales steeped in history and legend – along with a dry-mouthed, wide-eyed sensation as you read – then you will love Mike Lucas’ storytelling style in this Young Adult horror thriller.

The main story is set in the 1930s; however, there is also a historical component that reaches centuries back. The story opens with a nod to the Knockers, the subterranean, gnome-like creatures from Cornish folklore. Later events are inspired by the legends of Cornish giants, and Mike Lucas mixes these tales beautifully with references to the ‘Black Prince’, King Edward III’s eldest son, and the recently surfaced rumours about his behaviour that have tarnished the prince’s otherwise positive background and achievements.

While Mike Lucas has taken elements of truth into his story, much is fictionalised, providing intriguing insights into the history and mythology of Cornwall along with a nudge to explore more – which the accompanying teaching notes do very well.

There is a certain amount of skill required by an author to truly draw a reader into the world of their characters – and Mike Lucas definitely has it. As a reader, you feel the growing weight of Charlotte’s responsibility, the stubborn but childlike determination of Emily and Jack’s sense of overwhelm as he realises he has impossible memories. You wade through the tide and scramble along the cliffs with the children, and are drawn into the house itself, experiencing the same desperate need to leave and get as far away as possible.

If you like a bit of history, a taste of mythology and a good dose of trepidation in your YA reading, Don’t Let Them Leave will not disappoint.

Title: Don’t Let Them Leave
Author: Mike Lucas
Publisher: Penguin Random House, $19.99

Publication Date: 5 May 2026
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781761355462
For ages: 12 +
Type: Young Adult Fiction

Review: You'll Always Be My Baby

2026-05-27T05:00:00.002+10:00

This is a glorious rhyming picture book based on a much-loved poem by best-selling author Jessica Urlichs and illustrated by Jedda Robaard.

Indeed, there has been great appetite for these words to be brought to life in a picture book – and now here we are!

A heart-tugging picture book celebrating the deep forever love of family.

With a deceptively simple and limited colour palette, You’ll Always Be My Baby is intricately beautiful.

Gentle, whimsical and tender ideas unfold through the recurring theme – you’ll always be my baby, just heavier to hold – and are truly universal.

The seamless interplay between pictures and words creates a magical sense of life and depth – resulting in great satisfaction for the reader.

Simple illustrative characters, along with a pleasing and satisfying design element, mean that the surprises and delight continue to arrive with each page turn.  

An appropriately perfect gift for small people from any of the elders in their lives – it’s truly divine!  

Title: You’ll Always Be My Baby 
Author: Jessica Urlichs
Illustrator: Jedda Robaard
Publisher: Penguin Random House, $19.99
Publication Date: 10 February 2026
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781761355714
For Ages: 2 - 6
Type: Picture Book

Review: Milly Meelyu

2026-05-26T05:00:00.003+10:00

For years now we have seen children and schools becoming more actively interested in conservation and caring for the environment and wildlife. It's now well over 30 years since my first teaching gig with Year 5 when I created a literature-based unit of inquiry based on Fern Gully, we wrote a (published) letter to the editor of the Courier-Mail regarding the threatened destruction on Mt Warning and started an enthusiastic Environment Club.

But it is far more recently that we have begun to share and teach the cross-cultural perspectives of how our First Australians have always been custodians and caretakers of the land, water, plants and creatures.

Now we aim for this more inclusive approach to our conservation efforts and thus welcome any support for these endeavours including books such as this one. I'm not terribly familiar with wildlife of Western Australia beyond the most well-known and these meelyu - spiny-tailed skinks - were new to me entirely.

But what gorgeous lizards they are!

Dr Holly Bradley, environmental biologist, devoted her PhD research to these lesser-known critters - read more about them in this article about her work. Partnering with Darryl Fogarty, Badimia Elder, whose family totem is the meelyu has resulted in this book, simply told but redolent in significant meaning and information.

Written in both English and Badimia language, this presents a gentle but powerful message to all young readers, no matter if Western Australia based or not, about the need for all humans to become caretakers of our precious wildlife and country.

The illustrations by Darryl's daughter, Corinne, convey the sense of Country and the meelya's habitat with boldness and a glorious palette of colours that reflect the desert location.

Land-clearing and feral predators are the top dangers for almost all of our native animals and this is a book that underlines this clearly. While children cannot do much to stop this, they will understand the vital importance of minimising these risks and, we hope, grow to become adults willing to accept the challenge of protecting even the smallest and scaliest and not-so-pretty of our fauna. This is knowledge-sharing at its best for young people.

See more about Holly's research here. Teaching notes and an activity are available. For readers from Prep upwards and would provide some terrific springboards for older students in their UoI on conservation/environment/issues.

Title: Milly Meelyu
Author: Holly Bradley. Darryl Fogarty
Illustrator: Corinne Fogarty
Publisher: Fremantle Press , $24.99
Publication Date: February 2026
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781760996314
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Book

Review: Swearwolves

2026-05-25T05:00:00.006+10:00

Do not let the title of this book turn you off straight away. Hear me out first because the subject matter is treated in an exceptionally mature way and, let’s be honest, those words are out there and being used by our children (but not by Steve Worland in this book).

Luna Wilkinson has not long started at her new school and she’s having trouble fitting in. Everyone has their friendship groups and little cliques and there doesn’t seem to be space for the new kid who is rapidly getting a reputation for being a bit weird.

As Luna sees it, her one chance to stand out – and fit in – lies in wowing the crowds at the upcoming audition for Bite Me – The Musical. Luna doesn’t just want to be given a part; she wants to be cast in the lead role.

The only problem is, the lead role in every school production is always snapped up by one Vivian Dally-Watkins.

Luna thinks she has what it takes, though, and when Vivian and her friends take Luna under their wing so they can rehearse together, Luna’s confidence soars.

Back at home, Luna isn’t so confident. There’s a creepy forest at the back of her house, and in that creepy forest live howling creatures with yellow eyes that seem to follow Luna wherever she goes – even during the day.

Luna avoids the forest, but when her younger brother kicks his soccer ball into the trees, Luna has no choice but to go in after it.

And that’s when she gets bitten by … something.

The bite heals quickly and Luna thinks nothing of it until she opens her mouth to answer a question at dinner time … and inserts a swear word or two into the conversation.

Luna doesn’t swear. She’s never sworn. She doesn’t want to, but now – unable to control it – she’s swearing with the best of them.

Then she meets school nerd, Knox, who offers to help because he knows about the curse of the swearwolves.

What follows is a funny adventure as Luna tries to reverse the curse, grab the lead role and stand out to fit in.

Probably best known for having written the screenplay for the Australian hit film Paper Planes, author Steve Worland has perhaps made a brave decision with the 'language choices' that are the premise of Swearwolves, with an even bolder move by Penguin Books for publishing it, because not everyone is going to be impressed with the concept.

However, in my opinion, it’s been handled very well. The story is engaging and full of tension and unexpected turns. It acknowledges the language of many of our kids, but does not sensationalise it and, in fact, all those unsavoury words we don’t want our children exposed to have been ‘censored out’ with thick black lines.

Make your own mind up obviously, but I feel Swearwolves is a good case for not judging a book by its cover – or its title. I loved it.

Title: Swearwolves
Author: Steve Worland
Publisher: Penguin Books, $14.99
Publication Date: 3 March 2026
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781761352911
For ages: 8 – 12
Type: Middle Grade Fiction

Sunday Shelfie - How to Get Rid of a Princess

2026-05-24T05:00:00.000+10:00

Happy #sundayshelfie day! It is my pleasure to welcome the wonderful Alison McLennan and Mel Pearce. This week we are celebrating their delightful new picture book How to Get Rid of a Princess.

Princesses are stealthy, sneaky and sly.

And once inside the castle walls, they are tricky to remove.

But not impossible…

A hilarious and relatable tale about a mischievous little sister and her frustrated older brother who is desperate to stop her joining in his game. All he has to do is follow the steps in this easy-to-use guide!

There's just one problem: the advice may not work in every castle, and princesses might not be as bad as he thinks ...

Written by Alison McLennan

Illustrated by Mel Pearce

Published by Hardie Grant Publishing

Visit Picture Book Book Club @picturebookbc on Instagram

Review: Letters to the Lost

2026-05-23T05:00:00.118+10:00

“We're all united by grief, and somehow divided by the same thing.”

Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer is one of my favourite books of all time, and is the first book that springs to mind whenever anyone asks for a recommendation. The story follows Juliet who has always written letters to her mother, and has continued to do so since her tragic death. She leaves letters at her grave as her way of coping - until one day, when she receives a response.

When Declan, a troubled teen doing community service at the local cemetery finds a haunting letter left beside a grave, he can't resist the urge to write back. They quickly find themselves opening up to a complete stranger and form a strong, beautiful connection. Their letters start to help each other navigate their grief, loneliness, family pressures, and the guilt that continue to shape their lives. But neither Declan nor Juliet knows that they're not actually strangers and when real life starts to interfere they discover truths that might tear them apart.

This story is hauntingly beautiful and has such important messages about grief, healing, forgiveness and life after loss. The writing is emotional, powerful and feels deeply authentic, capturing me from the very first page. The story is told through a dual POV, which I absolutely loved and felt added so much depth to the narrative. The characters are wonderfully complex and incredibly realistic, and by the end I felt as though I knew them intimately.

It is a book that has stayed with me ever since my first read close to ten years ago now, and I guarantee it will stay with you too. It is still one of the best books I have ever read! The novel deals with some heavy themes, but I feel it is suitable for mature young teens and is a book that anyone aged 13+ could connect with and enjoy.

“One day isn't your whole life. A day is just a day.”

Title: Letters to the Lost
Author: Brigid Kemmerer
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Publication Date: 4 April 2017
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781408883525
For ages: 13+
Type: Young Adult Fiction

Review: Sharks Up Close

2026-05-22T05:00:00.009+10:00

Did you know the word ‘shark’ is thought to have come from the Dutch word for ‘villain’ or ‘scoundrel’? Hearing about shark attacks off different parts of our coastline this definition matches what many believe.

But sharks are central for the health of our marine ecosystem and are becoming endangered through human behaviours and climatic change.

Sharks Up Close provides a balance between the non-fiction text and visually rich photographs to stimulate interest in these much maligned animals and highlights the role they play in ocean life.

The book has snapshots of information about types and features of sharks, their life cycle, where they fit in the ocean food chain and the environmental challenges they face in our world today.

Included also are references to Dreaming stories and how sharks represent totems and ancestors and are symbols of bravery and fearlessness within their culture. It is amazing to realise that sharks have outlived dinosaurs!

The book concludes with a call to action to work to improve our environment by reducing overfishing and pollution in our waterways, as well as avoiding purchasing shark products.

As part of a series published by Wild Dogs, the use of ‘up close’ is clearly designed to immediately engage the reader and inspire curiosity into the animal it is portraying. The facts given are very brief and, at times, contain very specific terms that are often highlighted in bold type and can be located in the easy reference glossary at the back.

It is easy to see this 30 page book, with limited text and captivating pictures, being attractive to the junior reader. The dark background on many of the pages, especially the endpapers, adds to the tensions often felt when sharks are represented in books and films. The below-water images also add to the mystery of these silent predators which will attract the inquisitive child.

As a teacher librarian, this type of book would also be well suited to upper primary students, due to the inclusion of the sophisticated language in it. Often I encouraged students to go to the junior non fiction section to start their research into specific topics and this book would be ideal. It will not answer all their questions nor overload them with facts, but will definitely provide older students with a springboard to more in-depth investigations into the life of sharks.

Other titles in this series (with teacher notes available) include :-
Crocodiles Up Close
Butterflies Up Close

Title: Sharks Up Close
Author: Aidan Green
Publisher: Wild Dog, $24.99
Publication Date: April 2026
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781742037264
For ages: 8+
Type: Junior Non-Fiction