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October 2026 Reading Round Up

Even with a few ups and downs this month, I managed to read 24 books. Not all were reviewed, but most were and I had a lot of Australian books read this month. I review a few, whilst some were ones I chose to read and not review. One was a review book but I… Continue reading October 2026 Reading Round Up

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Bird Park by Julie Murphy, illustrated by Annie White

Title: Bird Park Author: Julie Murphy, illustrated by Annie White Genre: Non-fiction animals Publisher: NLA Publishing Published: 1st November 2026 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $24.99 Synopsis:  Birds paddle and skedaddle. They hop and drop and coo and woo. See them walking! Hear them squawking! Come and explore our magical Australian bird park! Can you… Continue reading Bird Park by Julie Murphy, illustrated by Annie White

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Swimming with Aunty Isobel by Cassy Polimeni, illustrated by Evie Barrow

Title: Swimming with Aunty Isobel Author: Cassy Polimeni, illustrated by Evie Barrow Genre: Contemporary Publisher: NLA Publishing Published: 1st November 2026 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $24.99 Synopsis: When I grow up I want to be a marine biologist, just like my Aunty Isobel. The ocean can be a place of wonder, with coral rainbows… Continue reading Swimming with Aunty Isobel by Cassy Polimeni, illustrated by Evie Barrow

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How Our Garden Grows by Saurav Kiran Shrestha, illustrated by Estee Sarsfield

Title: How Our Garden Grows Author: Saurav Kiran Shrestha, illustrated by Estee Sarsfield Genre: Contemporary Publisher: WestWords Children’s Books  Published: 1st September 2026  Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $28.95 Synopsis: ‘One day, Lia noticed a seedling poking out from a hedge and drooping onto the footpath. She found a twig to prop it up.’ From… Continue reading How Our Garden Grows by Saurav Kiran Shrestha, illustrated by Estee Sarsfield

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Millie from Milford by Ruth Shaw

Title: Millie from Milford Author: Ruth Shaw Genre: Non-fiction Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 29th September 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 48 Price: $24.99 Synopsis: The heart-warming true story of a badly injured baby seal that was nursed back to health by Ruth Shaw, author of international bestseller The Bookseller at the End of the World. Based… Continue reading Millie from Milford by Ruth Shaw

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Aussie YA Challenge Completed!

Well, I pledged to read 40 YA books this year, and I did! Some crossed over from middle grade into YA, or would be suitable for lower YA, and the rest seemed to cover as much of the spectrum as possible. Most were fiction and I reviewed nearly all of them, and I did have… Continue reading Aussie YA Challenge Completed!

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Grow by Jess McGeachin

Title: Grow Author: Jess McGeachin Genre: Nature Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 30th June 2026 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $24.99 Synopsis: A fascinating exploration of the plant life wonders of the natural world, and what it means to grow, from one of Australia's most talented picture book creators and the award-winning author of Kind. In… Continue reading Grow by Jess McGeachin

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The Colours of Nature: Discover the beautiful colours that brighten our world by Catherine Barr, illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat

Title: The Colours of Nature: Discover the beautiful colours that brighten our world. Author: Catherine Barr, illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat Genre: Fiction Publisher: Bloomsbury Published: 4th November 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 48 Price: $32.99 Synopsis: Did you know that rainbows are actually circles not arcs?Or that there is a lizard with lime-green BONES?The universe is… Continue reading The Colours of Nature: Discover the beautiful colours that brighten our world by Catherine Barr, illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat

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Storm by Claire Saxby, illustrated by Jess Racklyeft

Title: Storm Author: Claire Saxby, illustrated by Jess Racklyeft Genre: Non-Fiction Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 31st March 2026 Format: Hardcover Pages: 28 Price: $24.99 Synopsis: A storm is brewing. From the first puff of wind to a howling gale, this beautiful non-fiction picture book offers a deeply researched exploration of the effects of wind… Continue reading Storm by Claire Saxby, illustrated by Jess Racklyeft

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Treeshape by Trace Balla

Title: Treeshape Author: Trace Balla Genre: Memoir Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 3rd March 2026 Format: Hardcover Pages: 136 Price: $32.99 Synopsis: An extraordinary, inspiring and hope-filled graphic novel from the multi-award-winning creator of Rivertime, Rockhopping, Landing with Wings and Leaf-light, Trace Balla's stunning memoir reveals her personal and life-changing experiences of place, her understanding of the natural… Continue reading Treeshape by Trace Balla