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
Tag: nature
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
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!
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
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
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
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
Ella and the Mystery of the Missing Frogs by Cassy Polimeni, illustrated by Hykie Breeze
Title: Ella and the Mystery of the Missing Frogs Author: Cassy Polimeni, illustrated by Hykie Breeze Genre: Contemporary Publisher: UWAP Published: 1st March 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 90 Price: $15.99 Synopsis: If frogs make a home somewhere it means things are in balance. But if something changes, they are the first to know. They can… Continue reading Ella and the Mystery of the Missing Frogs by Cassy Polimeni, illustrated by Hykie Breeze
December 2025 Reading Round Up
In December 2025, I read 16 books. Some were for reviews that will appear later in 2026, whilst others were ones I read for my own interest. Some were review books or books I wanted to read and review. December was a slower review month, so I was able to catch up on some other… Continue reading December 2025 Reading Round Up
The Peach King by Inga Simpson, illustrated by Tannya Harricks
Title: The Peach King Author: Inga Simpson, illustrated by Tannya Harricks Genre: Fable Publisher: Hachette/Lothian Children’s Books Published: 30th September 2025 Format: Hardback Pages: 32 Price: $24.99 Synopsis: A contemporary fable about the resilience of nature from Inga Simpson, one of Australia’s leading nature writers, with paintings by acclaimed illustrator Tannya Harricks. When Little Peach… Continue reading The Peach King by Inga Simpson, illustrated by Tannya Harricks
