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Lights Out, Little Dragon (Debra Tidball, illus Rae Tan, HarperCollins)
Released June 2024
Lights Out, Little Dragon is an interactive bedtime book for toddlers aged 3+ and their caregivers, with a cute and relatable character that is just too busy to go to... Read more
Sharkman and Blowfish: World Domination (David Woodland, Berbay)
Released June 2024
Sharkman and Blowfish: World Domination is a fast-paced graphic novel by artist and film designer David Woodland (Ernie’s Journey). Woodland initially drew everything by hand, and the illustrations feature meticulous line-work.... Read more
What’s Murder Between Friends (Meg Gatland-Veness, Pantera)
Released June 2024
Hallie has always dreamed of being an actor. Thanks to her drama teacher, Ms Lovelace, the school is finally putting on its first show. When Hallie’s class stumbles upon Ms... Read more
How Babies Are Made (Philip Bunting, Scholastic)
Released June 2024
An engaging first look at human reproduction, How Babies Are Made features Philip Bunting’s signature friendly illustration style and the sense of humour common to both his fiction and nonfiction... Read more
Magic Counting (Nabeel Khan, illus Tete Garcia, Scribble)
Released June 2024
Magic Counting is a beautifully illustrated book that goes beyond the basics of counting, exploring the magic that can be found in the world of numbers. While counting from one... Read more
Drop into the Ocean (Karen Wasson, illus Marta Tesoro, Hardie Grant Explore)
Released June 2024
Drop into the Ocean: A tour of the world’s oceans and seas is exciting, colourful, entertaining and insightful. Packed with fun facts and well-researched information, it’s the type of book... Read more
What’s That? Australian mammals (Myke Mollard, Woodslane)
Released June 2024
This educational picture book for young children begins by telling us that every modern mammal descended from a common ancestor from around 180 million years ago, and that it’s up... Read more
Borderlands: Riding the Slipstream (ed by Paul Collins, Ford St)
Released June 2024
Borderlands: Riding the Slipstream is a new Australian anthology for young readers, collating over 40 short stories and poems by well-known children’s authors. Compiled by Paul Collins, who has previously... Read more
Grace the Amazing (Aleesah Darlison, Wombat Books)
Released May 2024
This tender middle-grade novel by well-established children’s author Aleesah Darlison (who wrote the popular junior series League of Llamas) explores friendship, coming to terms with death, and finding the courage... Read more
A Small Collection of Happinesses (Zana Fraillon, illus Stephen Michael King, Lothian)
Released May 2024
In the first pages of acclaimed author Zana Fraillon’s A Small Collection of Happinesses, Ada is ‘blown in…and dumped… right at the front gates of number 9 Hawkhurst Lane’. I... Read more
Book of Hours (Clare McFadden, Walker)
Released May 2024
Book of Hours, written and illustrated by Clare McFadden (The Flying Orchestra), tells a life story in a series of dreamy vignettes. These postcard moments capture memories by the sea—of... Read more
Boots (Elizabeth Pulsford, illus Krista Brennan, Wombat Books)
Released May 2024
The idea of walking in someone else’s shoes to evoke understanding and empathy is not a new concept, but Elizabeth Pulsford takes it further in her debut picture book, Boots,... Read more
Cheer Up, Blobfish! (Julie Murphy, illus Rachel Tribout, Affirm)
Released May 2024
It’s time for The Festival of the Fish and everyone is excited, but the blobfish looks sad, and none of the sea creatures can cheer him up. This fun, rhyming... Read more
Ultra Violet: Down to Business (Cristy Burne, illus Rebel Challenger, Larrikin House)
Released May 2024
Ultra Violet: Down to Business is the first in a new junior graphic novel series with a hilarious—but very scientific—premise. Violet (a science genius who wears a lab coat) and... Read more
The Kindness Project (Deborah Abela, Puffin)
Released May 2024
Nicolette is unconfident and shy and feels like she doesn’t fit in anywhere. However, she loves spending time with her nanna and takes comfort in her visits to her nursing... Read more
The Unexpected Mess of It All (Gabrielle Tozer, HarperCollins)
Released May 2024
Gold Inky award-winning author Gabrielle Tozer’s fifth YA novel, The Unexpected Mess of it All, displays her trademark empathy, humour and cheekiness. Jamila’s life is an unexpected mess. Since their... Read more
Cora Seen and Heard (Zanni Louise, Walker)
Released May 2024
When Cora’s family moves to Tasmania to renovate a decrepit theatre, Cora, 12, is thrilled at the opportunity to reinvent herself as Cora 2.0: more confident, admired, and interesting. But... Read more
What Stars Are For (Margeaux Davis, Affirm)
Released May 2024
What Stars Are For is the first picture book by sewing pattern and soft toy designer Margeaux Davis. The emerging children’s book illustrator’s love for the natural world is informed... Read more
The Land Recalls You (Kirli Saunders, illus David Cragg & Noni Cragg, Scholastic)
Released May 2024
The title of multi-awarded Gunai poet Kirli Saunders’s picture book The Land Recalls You honours the Stolen Generations and their descendants, as well as others who have been taken from Country, in a story... Read more
Our Flag, Our Story (Bernard Namok Jnr & Thomas Mayo, illus Tori-Jay Mordey, Magabala)
Released May 2024
Reading Our Flag, Our Story: The Torres Strait Islander Flag by Bernard Namok Jnr and Thomas Mayo on so-called Australia Day feels incredibly poignant. In October 2023, Australians voted against establishing the... Read more
