Tag: Picture Book Activist

#AussieAuthors2026, adventure, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, humour, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews

Valerie: Australia’s Bravest Sausage Dog by Lucinda Gifford

Ashleigh

Title: Valerie: Australia's Bravest Sausage Dog Author: Lucinda Gifford Genre: Creative Non-fiction Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 10th February 2026 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $19.99 Synopsis: Inspired by the amazing true story of the tiny dog who captured the heart of a nation. Join Valerie on her unforgettable journey and discover just how far… Continue reading Valerie: Australia’s Bravest Sausage Dog by Lucinda Gifford

#AussieAuthors2026, #AussieYAChallenge, #LoveOZMG, #LoveOzYA, adventure, Alice-Miranda, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Blog Tour, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, challenges, check in post, Children's Literature, Crime/Mystery, Disney Reading Challenge, Dymocks Reading Challenge, Fables, Fairytales, Fantasy, historical fiction, history, humour, Jacqueline Harvey, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, memoir, middle grade, mythology, non-fiction, Picture Books, poetry, Publishers, Reading, Real Pigeons, Scholastic, Sci-Fi, series, Speculative fiction, The Nerd Daily, Young Adult

January 2026 Reading Round-Up

Ashleigh

This year, I am working on balancing my review books with my other reading, so I can get through some of the books I have been wanting to read for a while. In January, I managed to read all my review books for the beginning of 2026, and some reviews are still coming, and there… Continue reading January 2026 Reading Round-Up

#AussieAuthors2026, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, biography, Book Industry, Books, challenges, Children's Literature, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, middle grade, non-fiction, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews

Saving Shark Pup by Sharon Dalgleish, illustrated by Amandine Thomas

Ashleigh

Title: Saving Shark Pup Author: Sharon Dalgleish, illustrated by Amandine Thomas Genre: Non-fiction Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 3rd February 2026 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $24.99 Synopsis: The true story of a great white shark pup who washed up on the beach and was rescued by the local community. When a great white shark… Continue reading Saving Shark Pup by Sharon Dalgleish, illustrated by Amandine Thomas

#AussieAuthors2026, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, Easter, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews

Pink Easter by Tanya Hennessy, illustrated by Sophie Kent

Ashleigh

Title: Pink Easter Author: Tanya Hennessy, illustrated by Sophie Kent Genre: Humour Publisher: Allen and Unwin/Albert Street Books Published: 3rd February 2026 Format: Hardcover Pages: 24 Price: $19.99 Synopsis: This year Easter is going to have a major glow-up! A joyous celebration of Easter, and the power of community and cooperation, from bestselling children's author… Continue reading Pink Easter by Tanya Hennessy, illustrated by Sophie Kent

#AussieAuthors2026, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, challenges, Children's Literature, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, The Nerd Daily

Blue: Dragon of the Sea by Aleesah Darlison, illustrated by Tamlyn Teow

Ashleigh

Title: Blue: Dragon of the Sea Author: Aleesah Darlison, illustrated by Tamlyn Teow Genre: Fiction Publisher: Wombat Books Published: 1st February 2026 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $26.99 Synopsis: Meet Blue, a Dragon of the Sea!He's also known as a nudibranch or sea slug. Blue's fleet roam the ocean, gliding on the currents, and dancing… Continue reading Blue: Dragon of the Sea by Aleesah Darlison, illustrated by Tamlyn Teow

#AussieAuthors2025, #AussieYAChallenge, #LoveOZMG, #LoveOzYA, A.L. Tait, adventure, Alice-Miranda, Anna James, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, biography, Blog Tour, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, CBCA, challenges, check in post, Children's Literature, Christmas, Chronicles of Whetherwhy, Cressida Cowell, Crime/Mystery, Dani Vee, Dervla McTiernan, Dymocks Reading Challenge, Ella at Eden, Fables, Fairytales, Fantasy, Friday Barnes, Futuristic Fiction, historical fiction, history, humour, Indigenous authors, Jackie French, Jacqueline Harvey, Junior Fiction, Kate Temple, Larrikin House, literary fiction, Matilda Saga, memoir, middle grade, Natasha Lester, Nevermoor, non-fiction, Pages and Co Series, Picture Books, plays, poetry, Publishers, R.A. Spratt, Reading, Reviews, satire, Scholastic, Sci-Fi, series, short stories, Speculative fiction, spies, The Girls Who Change the World, The Nerd Daily, Verse novels, Wherewithal Way, Young Adult

Total Women

Ashleigh

Each year, I try my best to read as many books by women as possible, and to read as diversely as possible. In 2025, I read 234, participated in judging an award, and of course, continued to do my reviewing. Reading across as many styles and genres as possible, based on what I had from… Continue reading Total Women

#AussieAuthors2025, #AussieYAChallenge, #LoveOZMG, #LoveOzYA, Alice-Miranda, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, challenges, check in post, Children's Literature, Crime/Mystery, Dymocks Reading Challenge, Fables, Fairytales, Fantasy, historical fiction, history, Jacqueline Harvey, Junior Fiction, Kate Temple, literary fiction, memoir, middle grade, mythology, Nevermoor, non-fiction, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, Scholastic, Sci-Fi, series, short stories, Speculative fiction, spies, The Nerd Daily

Australian Authors Read

Ashleigh

Every year, I aim to focus by reading on Australian authors, because I see authors from the UK and the US get widely promoted, and I feel that a lot of Australian authors, unless they’re super popular, get overlooked. Particularly the kids and young adult authors. So in 2025 I read 239 Australian authors in… Continue reading Australian Authors Read

#AussieAuthors2025, adventure, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Blog Tour, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, challenges, check in post, Children's Literature, classics, Dymocks Reading Challenge, Fables, Fairytales, Fantasy, historical fiction, history, Indigenous authors, Junior Fiction, Kate Temple, literary fiction, memoir, middle grade, mythology, non-fiction, Picture Books, poetry, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, Scholastic, series, short stories, The Nerd Daily

Picture Books Read in 2025

Ashleigh

I read 57 picture books in 2025 for review purposes on my own blog, and for Good Reading Magazine. I covered lots of different stories, non-fiction books and many different themes that showcased emotions, different aspects of Australian history and culture, and celebrations of life in general. Every book had its own charms, which is… Continue reading Picture Books Read in 2025

#AussieAuthors2026, adventure, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, challenges, check in post, Children's Literature, humour, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, The Nerd Daily

A Dash of Adventure by Julie Williams & Mitch Oates, illustrated by Caroline Keys

Ashleigh

Title: A Dash of Adventure Author: Julie Williams & Mitch Oates, illustrated by Caroline Keys Genre: Fiction Publisher: Little Steps Publishing Published: December 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 32 Price: $16.95 – $29.95 AUD Synopsis: A Dash of Adventure is a fun and exciting new children’s book that celebrates imagination, family, inclusion and adventure.Ideal for kids,… Continue reading A Dash of Adventure by Julie Williams & Mitch Oates, illustrated by Caroline Keys

#AussieAuthors2025, #AussieYAChallenge, #LoveOZMG, #LoveOzYA, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, biography, Blog Tour, Book bingo, Book Industry, challenges, check in post, Children's Literature, Crime/Mystery, Dymocks Reading Challenge, Fables, Fairytales, Fantasy, historical fiction, history, humour, Indigenous authors, Junior Fiction, Kate Temple, literary fiction, memoir, middle grade, mythology, non-fiction, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, Scholastic, Sci-Fi, series, Speculative fiction, The Nerd Daily, Young Adult

Co-written/Anthologies Read

Ashleigh

In 2025, I read 23 books that were written by two or more authors, or that were anthologies. These books crossed into all the other categories: men, women, Australian, non-Australian, LGBTQIA, Disabled, children’s and young adult. There were all sorts of things here too, from picture books, novels, and non-fiction. There were some very good… Continue reading Co-written/Anthologies Read