Category: animals

#AussieAuthors2025, #AussieYAChallenge, #LoveOZMG, #loveozya, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Blog Tour, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, challenges, check in post, Children's Literature, Christmas, classics, Crime/Mystery, Dymocks Reading Challenge, Fables, Fairytales, Fantasy, historical fiction, history, humour, Junior Fiction, Kate Temple, literary fiction, middle grade, non-fiction, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, Scholastic, Sci-Fi, series, Speculative fiction, translated works, Writing, Young Adult

September 2025 Reading Round Up

Ashleigh

In September, I read 20 books for review, and some reviews will be appearing at later dates for various reasons. I mostly read Australian authors, and focused on children’s and young adult books. I also made progress on reading challenges, and am almost done with my last few. Most books were by women authors, and… Continue reading September 2025 Reading Round Up

#AussieAuthors2025, #LoveOZMG, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, Fables, Fairytales, Fantasy, literary fiction, middle grade, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, Speculative fiction

The Keeper of the Octopus by Neridah McMullin

Ashleigh

Title: The Keeper of the Octopus Author: Neridah McMullin Genre: Fantasy, Magical Realism Publisher: Walker Books Australia Published: 1st October 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 272 Price: $17.99 Synopsis: Engaging, heartfelt and imaginative - magical realism from the award-winning author of Evie and RhinoSince her father sailed away, Uncle Isaac is the only family Pippy has left.… Continue reading The Keeper of the Octopus by Neridah McMullin

#AussieAuthors2025, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, challenges, Children's Literature, Christmas, Dymocks Reading Challenge, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, middle grade, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews

The 12 Birds of Christmas by Jodie McLeod, illustrated by Eloise Short

Ashleigh

Title: The 12 Birds of Christmas Author: Jodie McLeod, illustrated by Eloise Short Genre: Christmas Publisher: Wollemi Press Published: 1st October 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $26.95 Synopsis: From the award-winning author and illustrator of The Black Cockatoo With One Feather Blue comes this original rhyming read aloud about giving, community and sharing the… Continue reading The 12 Birds of Christmas by Jodie McLeod, illustrated by Eloise Short

#AussieAuthors2025, adventure, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, series

The Messy Bath Monster by Tina Wilson, music by Matt Ottley

Ashleigh

Title: The Messy Bath Monster Author: Tina Wilson, music by Matt Ottley Genre: Fiction Publisher: One Tentacle Publishing Published: 1st October 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $25.99 Synopsis: Monkey knows there’s a MONSTER hiding in the bathroom because it leaves a HUGE MESS behind. Will Monkey discover who the bath monster really is? Monkey… Continue reading The Messy Bath Monster by Tina Wilson, music by Matt Ottley

#AussieAuthors2025, #LoveOZMG, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Book Industry, Books, check in post, Children's Literature, Crime/Mystery, humour, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, middle grade, Publishers, Reading, Reviews

Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping by Craig Silvey

Ashleigh

Title: Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping Author: Craig Silvey Genre: Contemporary Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 30th September 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 416 Price: $26.99 Synopsis: The sequel to Runt, the phenomenal bestseller and family favourite, by award-winning author Craig Silvey. Six weeks have passed since Annie Shearer and Runt competed valiantly at the Krumpets Dog… Continue reading Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping by Craig Silvey

#AussieAuthors2025, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, challenges, Children's Literature, Junior Fiction, non-fiction, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews

Dogs with Jobs by Max Hamilton

Ashleigh

Title: Dogs with Jobs Author: Max Hamilton Genre: Contemporary Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 30th September 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $19.99 Synopsis: From beekeepers to brave rescuers, dogs have the most amazing jobs! A delightful exploration of the many careers of our canine companions. Dogs may be our best friends, but sometimes that's… Continue reading Dogs with Jobs by Max Hamilton

#AussieAuthors2025, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Blog Tour, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, humour, Junior Fiction, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews

Mooshy Crackerjack’s Big Day by Suzanne Patterson, illustrated by Maia Batumashvili

Ashleigh

Title: Mooshy Crackerjack's Big Day Author: Suzanne Patterson, illustrated by Maia Batumashvili Genre: Humour Publisher: Starfish Bay Books Published: 5th September 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 40 Price: $26.99 Synopsis: Mooshy Crackerjack's birthday goes hilariously wrong as he tries and fails to stay out of trouble. Mooshy Crackerjack is determined to stay out of trouble and have… Continue reading Mooshy Crackerjack’s Big Day by Suzanne Patterson, illustrated by Maia Batumashvili

#AussieAuthors2025, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, humour, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, series

Mega Rich Guinea Pigs by Kate and Jol Temple

Ashleigh

Title: Mega Rich Guinea Pigs Author: Kate and Jol Temple Genre: Humour Publisher: HarperCollins Australia Published: 26th August 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 240 Price: $16.99 Synopsis: A hilarious new illustrated series for kids aged 8+ featuring a group of extremely cashed up guinea pigs and a capybara, from the bestselling authors of Frog Squad! The world's… Continue reading Mega Rich Guinea Pigs by Kate and Jol Temple

#AussieAuthors2025, #AussieYAChallenge, #LoveOZMG, #loveozya, adventure, animals, Anna James, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, biography, Blog Tour, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, challenges, check in post, Children's Literature, Covers, Crime/Mystery, Dymocks Reading Challenge, Fables, Fairytales, Fantasy, historical fiction, history, humour, Indigenous authors, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, middle grade, non-fiction, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, Scholastic, Sci-Fi, series, Young Adult

August 2025 Reading Round Up

Ashleigh

In August, I read 25 books and reviewed most of them. Literary judging duties are over, so I was able to do everything I could to stay on top of my reading and reviewing. And was able to read a few books that I hadn’t agreed to review. This was nice, and I am enjoying… Continue reading August 2025 Reading Round Up

#AussieAuthors2025, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Books, Children's Literature, Indigenous authors, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, Picture Books, Reading, Reviews

Animals on Country: Let’s look after the animals with Uncle Kuu by Victor Steffensen, illustrated by Sandra Steffensen

Ashleigh

Title: Animals on Country: Let's look after the animals with Uncle Kuu Author: Victor Steffensen, illustrated by Sandra Steffensen Genre: Non-Fiction Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 2nd September 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $24.99 Synopsis: This engaging picture book from award-winning brother-and-sister team Victor and Sandra Steffensen inspires children and adults alike to look… Continue reading Animals on Country: Let’s look after the animals with Uncle Kuu by Victor Steffensen, illustrated by Sandra Steffensen