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Aussie Kids Books
Book Reviews
Welcome to my blog! This blog is a celebration of Australian children's fiction - including young adult, middle grade, junior fiction, and picture books.
Read on for my reviews!
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Ming & Flo Fight for the Future, by Jackie French
This story for middlegrade readers is empowering and captivating, showing young readers that girls can do anything! The author, Jackie...
Sandy
Apr 14, 20222 min read
Amma's Sari, by Sandhya Parappukkaran; Illustrated by Michele Pereira
This gorgeous picture book about parent-child connection, culture and identity, and learning to take pride in who you are, is just...
Sandy
Apr 4, 20222 min read
The Bravest Word, by Kate Foster
This is such a beautifully written and powerful read which shines a light on mental health in kids (particularly young boys). As the...
Sandy
Apr 1, 20223 min read
Eric the Awkward Orc, by Alex Dyson, Art by Laura Wood
I love picture books that celebrate having the courage to be true to yourself, and this picture book written by Alex Dyson does so with...
Sandy
Mar 20, 20222 min read
Anything But Fine, by Tobias Madden
This story starts with a life changing incident, with ballet dancer Luca missing a step on a flight of stairs and shattering his foot,...
Sandy
Mar 12, 20222 min read
Wednesday Weeks series, by Cristy Burne & Denis Knight
Magic meets science in this wildly entertaining and gripping series from Cristy Burne and Denis Knight. Wednesday Weeks doesn't mean to...
Sandy
Mar 12, 20221 min read
CBCA 2022 Notables
The 2022 Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Notable books have been announced. These are a big deal in the Australian children's...
Sandy
Mar 1, 20221 min read
What Snail Knows, by Kathryn Apel
Illustrations by Mandy Foot. This beautifully constructed verse novel for younger readers gently illuminates themes of loneliness,...
Sandy
Feb 28, 20222 min read
From My Head to my Toes, I Say What Goes, by Charlotte Barkla & Jacqui Lee
It's so important that we as parents and carers are able to open up discussion - or answer questions from children - in relation to...
Sandy
Feb 15, 20222 min read
Pawcasso, by Remi Lai
Pawcasso is a heartwarming graphic novel about the bond between humans and animals, loneliness and belonging, new friendships and family...
Sandy
Feb 15, 20221 min read
Frankie Goes to Kindergarten, by Peta Baxter & Connie Hemmens; illustrated by Marjory Gardner
This book arrived in our household at the perfect time, as Mr 5 started kindy this year! While he was excited to join his brothers at...
Sandy
Feb 15, 20222 min read
Hey Jack! 10 Year Anniversary editions
We are all huge fans of the Hey Jack! series of books, so when these three new books arrived in our household they were immediately...
Sandy
Jan 26, 20221 min read
Four Picture Books We Loved in 2021
Poppy the Punk Turtle, by Aleesah Darlison & Mel Matthews This fun and informative picture book shines a light on the endangered Mary...
Sandy
Jan 26, 20222 min read
Fragments: Journeys from Isolation to Connection, by Maura Pierlot
Highschool can certainly be challenging - with that constant juggle of friendship issues, worry over studies and achievement, and search...
Sandy
Jan 25, 20222 min read
Elsewhere Girls by Emily Gale & Nova Weetman
I love a good timeslip/body swap novel - and this one by acclaimed middlegrade authors Emily Gale and Nova Weetman is truly captivating!...
Sandy
Jan 15, 20222 min read
Sugarcoated (Leftovers #1), by Sarah Epstein
I adored this young adult novel written by multi award-winning author Sarah Epstein (whose novel Small Spaces - a YA psychological...
Sandy
Jan 5, 20222 min read
Little Mister Gets a Sister, by Samaria Rose Lemke & Ruth-Mary Smith
Siblings are most often the people we end up being closest to - but the relationship can sometimes start out a little rocky! Little...
Sandy
Dec 30, 20212 min read
Courageous Queens, by Angela Buckingham, Illustrations by Debora Islas
Courageous Queens brings us ten previously untold stories of fearless, resilient and clever women throughout history who have held...
Sandy
Dec 24, 20212 min read
Dragon Skin, by Karen Foxlee
This middlegrade novel by multi-award-winning author Karen Foxlee is a work of art - from the stunning textured cover, to the...
Sandy
Dec 22, 20212 min read
Jingle Bells, by Jacinta Froud, illustrated by Gabriella Petruso
Jingle Bells has become a firm favourite in our household, with Christmas rapidly approaching. Eddie the high-spirited corgi has a...
Sandy
Dec 16, 20211 min read
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