Junior Book Club – holiday reads
Friday, 5 December 2025 Books+Publishing @booksandpublishing
On the hunt for great books to share with kids? Our bumper Junior Book Club holiday edition rounds up new releases for the month and top picks from the past year, perfect for reading over the Christmas break and summer holidays.
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The Adventures of Pongo and Stink Lisa Nicol, illus Karen Blair Penguin ISBN: 9781761355691 RRP: $19.99 Age: 7 and over |
| Why young readers will love it: “A snortingly hilarious story about two farm pigs who decide to dress up in dog suits to get access to the luxuries of a dog’s life! With themes of friendship, teamwork and being yourself, young readers who love Runt and Charlotte’s Web will adore this tail of piggie mischief. A beautiful hardcover and illustrated throughout, this is the perfect Christmas present for the little reader!” – Jess De Caria, children’s marketing executive, PRH | |
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All the Ways to Pray Kathleen Kelly, illus Anne Ryan Wild Dog ISBN: 9781742036878 RRP: $24.99 Age: 5 and over Teacher’s notes |
| Why young readers will love it: “Does it feel like it’s been a big year? We think so. As 2025 draws to a close, All the Ways to Pray is the perfect resource to help children slow down and reflect on all the good things that have happened this year. This gentle, calming picture book takes the idea of ‘praying’ and opens it up to become a practice of pausing and recognising all the love, support, gratitude and care that exists around us. All the Ways to Pray invites junior book clubs to read the text and then share what they were grateful for this year and what they’re hopeful for in 2026.” – Lisa Mclellan, editorial assistant, Wild Dog | |
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The Aussie 12 Days of Christmas Brentos Affirm ISBN: 9781923135413 RRP: $22.99 Age: 2 to 6 |
| Why young readers will love it: “Young fans of Brentos will be thrilled to have another book where they’re encouraged to seek and find Australian animals – this time set against the backdrop of a distinctly Australian twist on a classic Christmas song. Brentos’s Australian Christmas is a dreamy pastel-popping celebration for all ages.” – Tash Besliev, children’s publishing director, S&S and Affirm | |
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Bronte’s Big Business Liane Young, illus Tamlyn Teow Wombat ISBN: 9781925563863 RRP: $14.99 Age: 7 to 12 Teacher’s notes |
| Why young readers will love it: “Bronte’s Big Business is a perfect summer read for book clubs. It combines the fun of sun, surf, sand and friendship with the important message of how to look after our beaches.” – Lynne Stringer, editor, Wombat | |
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Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles Corey Tutt, illus Ben Williams A&U ISBN: 9781761181030 RRP: $32.99 Age: 8 to 14 |
| Why young readers will love it: “With warmer weather approaching, you’re bound to see more of Australia’s cold-blooded reptiles catching some sun, and DeadlyScience founder Corey Tutt is here to tell you more about them. There are chapters for 20 different First Nations around the continent, each with entries about reptiles that can be found on Country – the reptiles’ name in a First language, cool facts and a lifelike illustration by artist Ben Williams. Perfect for animal lovers, this book is also a way for kids and adults alike to engage with First Nations knowledge.” – Melissa Kayser, publisher, A&U | |
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Jo and the No Kyle Mewburn, illus Judy Watson Dirt Lane Press ISBN: 9781923044265 RRP: $28.95 Age: 4 and over Teacher’s notes |
| Why young readers will love it: “Jo and the No is a powerful tale of understanding oneself. We face many obstacles in life, within and without. Jo and the No is a perfect Australian Christmas read, equal parts fun and deep. Kids will love the bright, sharp colours of Watson’s illustrations and fun and quirky animal characters that populate the world of Jo and the No.” – Isabelle Quilty, associate producer, WestWords | |
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The Keeper of the Octopus Neridah McMullin Walker ISBN: 9781760659479 RRP: $17.99 Age: 8 to 12 |
| Why young readers will love it: “The Keeper of the Octopus is the perfect summer read because of the beautiful friendship between Pippy, a young orphaned girl, and Octavia, a giant octopus who changes colours to show how she is feeling. Who doesn’t love a summer read about a friendship with marine life? With her rag-tag crew of a cat, a dog, a hobgoblin called Ferg and an albatross, Pippy’s battle against the slippery Calamary Brothers becomes an unforgettable voyage. The Keeper of the Octopus is bursting with warmth, courage and seafaring fun, everything a summer read should be!” – Erin Middleton, editor, Walker | |
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Moonlight and Dust Jasmin McGaughey A&U Children’s ISBN: 9781761181337 RRP: $24.99 Age: 14 to 18 |
| Why young readers will love it: “Moonlight and Dust is an intriguing, fast-paced YA fantasy novel featuring 16-year-old Torres Strait Islander Zillah, who is drawn into a world of exclusive high school parties after her sister has a mysterious accident. Jasmin McGaughey is a brilliant new voice in Australian YA, and her unique novel about family and friendship, magic, power and secrets is wonderfully vivid and woven with Torres Strait Islander culture and language. Perfect for YA fans who love rebel girls, true friendships, dark secrets and illicit magic.” – Jodie Webster, publisher, A&U | |
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Mrs Claus Renee Price, illus Travis Price Affirm ISBN: 9781922992994 RRP: $24.99 Age: 3 to 7 |
| Why young readers will love it: “Young readers will love this festive peek behind the scenes at the North Pole, while grown-ups will appreciate its subtle tribute to the women who make Christmas happen every year.” – Tash Besliev, children’s publishing director, S&S and Affirm | |
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Never Thought I’d End Up Here Ann Liang Penguin ISBN: 9781761351495 RRP: $19.99 Age: 12 and over Teacher’s notes |
| Why young readers will love it: “A gorgeous and heartfelt exploration of identity and belonging, alongside a slow burn enemies-to-lovers storyline, Never Thought I’d End Up Here is the perfect summer novel. When Leah, a former model, embarrasses herself at her cousin’s wedding, her parents decide to send her on a trip to China to reconnect with her cultural heritage. The unexpected part? A surprise reappearance by her former rival, Cyrus. The perfect balance of charm, humour and genuine emotion, this is a YA travel story you need to read!” – Maddy Taplin, children’s publicist, PRH | |
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The Paperbark Tree Committee Karys McEwen Text ISBN: 9781922790705 RRP: $16.99 Age: 8 and over Teacher’s notes |
| Why young readers will love it: “Art and Hilary are not just brothers, they’re best friends. But when they move from a small town in Queensland to big-city Melbourne, everything begins to change. When Art struggles to fit in at his new school, the brothers create the Paperbark Tree Committee: a secret meeting spot up in the branches. Soon, Art worries he’s too old for the committee and needs to face problems by himself. A story about facing challenges and braving change, this is the perfect read for kids moving between schools or preparing for the new year beyond summer.” – Aideen Gallagher, publicist, Text | |
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The Truth of It David Metzenthen Ford St ISBN: 9781922696519 RRP: $17.95 Age: 11 and over |
| Why young readers will love it: “David Metzenthen’s The Truth of It won the 2025 Children’s Peace Literature Award. Readers aged 11 and up will appreciate Metzenthen’s descriptive writing and the way the story moves at a great rate, with every character leaping off the page. Teachers will also find lots to unpack with students, from the novel’s gripping themes of mystery, heroes and villains, law and order, danger and falsehood, to the contrast between the literate and the illiterate. The book is filled with power and purpose, and full of moments that will stay with young readers long after they’ve finished.” – Paul Collins, director, Ford St | |
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Stage Left, Heart Right (Two Hearts #1) Kate Forster All Your Wishes (Two Hearts #2) Laura Sieveking Scholastic ISBN: 9781761646867, 9781761646850 RRP: $17.99 each Age: 10 to 14 |
| Why young readers will love it: “Two Hearts is the new series that features clean romance for tweens and young teens. These are standalone novels that parents can trust to have clean content, positive relationship messaging and gentle themes of first crushes, first kisses and friendship. It’s the perfect summer read for a teen or tween who is desperate to read some romance but is too young for the sexually explicit material of YA romance. Stage Left, Heart Right is by much-loved Australian women’s fiction writer Kate Forster. All Your Wishes is by Laura Sieveking, the well-known middle-grade author of Ella at Eden. With gorgeous painted edges, it’s the perfect stocking filler for any young girl looking for a fun summer beach read.” – Laura Sieveking, publisher, Scholastic | |
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What Have They Done to Liza McLean? Amy Doak Penguin ISBN: 9781761350641 RRP: $19.99 Age: 12 and over |
| Why young readers will love it: “Looking for a summer thriller? Wild Child meets Don’t Worry Darling, this YA dark academia mystery is the perfect page turner for the beach. When Meg’s sister Liza starts acting strangely, Meg is forced to dig into their school’s secrets, and is unprepared for them to turn out bloody.” – Maddy Taplin, children’s publicist, PRH | |
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When Santa Got Stuck in a Gum Tree Jackie Hosking, illus Nathaniel Eckstrom Walker ISBN: 9781761601828 RRP: $16.99 Age:3 to 8 |
| Why young readers will love it: “This charming follow-up to an Aussie Christmas Gum Tree is the perfect Christmas read filled with laughter, exploration and a uniquely Aussie twist. It’s a heartwarming tale fit for the whole family to enjoy as Christmas draws near. It will have the little ones asking for more cosy festive reading that will create cherished joyful memories for years to come.” – Laura Mowlem, publicist, Walker | |
Category: Book Club
