Reviewed by Wendy Lipke Christmas Time is the fourth book in the Early Learning first word books by Tom Jellett. This Aussie Baby’s, six-inch board book has twenty- two pages of content, including the covers. It follows other books with words addressing Dinner Time, Bed Time and Bath Time. The pictures are large with the
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke Over the past several years Lothian Children’s Books have published work belonging to a set of illustrated Encyclopaedia on animals by natural history illustrator, Sami Bayly. The illustrations in these books are watercolours while the line drawings on the pages which provide interesting facts are produced by pen. The first of
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke Inga Simpson, author of the children’s picture book, The Peach King, has created a story to remember not just the devastation wrought by the bush fires which impacted the south coast of N.S.W. during the Black Summer of 2019-2020, but to celebrate the renewal of life as things recover after such
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke In 2025 there appear to have been several children’s picture books by First Nation’s talented writers and illustrators sharing their love of country and dreaming tales. As the title of this latest book implies it is about Aboriginal beliefs surrounding the beginning of time which they call, Dreaming. This book by
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke This book, by American Tess Thomas and artwork by Kamwei Fong, is a square children’s picture book about our feelings. It talks about when we feel happy and when we are sad, angry or scared and what happens when we keep these feelings bottled up inside ourselves. This makes us feel
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke This publication, by Max Hamilton, is not the first children’s book with this title, but this latest version is an interesting read with no doubt different examples from those found in the other books. The author has taken examples from across the world but mainly from Australia and the USA. However,
Reviewed by Ian Lipke Catch is the story of sixteen-year-old Beth who discovers a hidden talent viz a nausea attack signalling someone is in danger of falling followed by a new ability to catch the person before he/she can self-harm. Having this skill brings challenges and with them responsibility. It is soon revealed that the
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke This is the second story about Runt, the street dog befriended by eleven-year-old Annie Shearer. In the previous story the reader learns how these two bonded and went on to become famous thereby rejuvenating the small out-of-the-way town of Upson Downs. For readers who have not read the first story, the
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke Windy Washing Day is a 210x210cm hardback picture book for ages 3-8 by Yvonne Low and Kate Talbot. This is a wonderfully funny story about a young child helping mum hang out the washing when the wind whips up and the clothes are blown off the line. Told in the first
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke The brother and sister duo who have produced this hard covered children’s book are among several authors and illustrators who identify closely to First Nations culture. All of these books have been beautifully presented with colourful educational material for primary school age students. Victor Steffensen is an indigenous writer, musician, film
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke I Am Me is a hard-covered children’s picture-book produced by Mitch Tambo and illustrated by Caria Hoffenberg. In January 2026 this talented music artist will release an album of children’s music with the same title. First discovered on the finale of Australia’s Got Talent, this unique First Nations’ entertainer has provided
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke There are so many children’s authors and books that parents should have no trouble finding something to read to their young ones. Melbourne based children’s author, Evie Garland, has used her passion for all things festive to create her Christmas tree shaped board book. It is beautifully illustrated by Rachel Gyan,
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke This series for the 8–14-year cohort is a fast-paced action adventure of a young First Nations’ girl who tries to save her people from being captured from those seeking more power. These books have become popular throughout the world. Co-written by a Peek Whurrong man from Warrnambool Victoria, Jordon Gould, and
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke What an exciting way to encourage late primary school children to read. Justin Somper has written a futuristic pirate tale with danger at every corner, missing people, kidnapping, not knowing who you can trust and a sea battle. Throughout this story are black and white sketches by Teo Skaffa to enhance
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke Inspired by amazing true stories, this hard-covered children’s book features Australian fauna and its climate, specifically its flooding rains. The central characters are kangaroos – mother Mango and joey, Hopscotch. They live in the tropical forest and join the mob grazing beside the river. Hopscotch loves to play with the other