Tag: Picture Book Activist

#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

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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

#AussieAuthors2025, #AussieYAChallenge, #LoveOZMG, #loveozya, adventure, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, biography, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, challenges, check in post, Children's Literature, classics, Crime/Mystery, Dymocks Reading Challenge, Fables, Fairytales, Fantasy, historical fiction, history, Indigenous authors, Jackie French, Jane Austen, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, memoir, middle grade, non-fiction, Picture Books, poetry, Publishers, R.A. Spratt, Reading, Reviews, Scholastic, Sci-Fi, series, short stories, Speculative fiction, spies, The Girls Who Change the World, The Nerd Daily, Young Adult

Readings Book Bingo Completed-ish

Ashleigh

 One final challenge I took part in this year was the Readings book bingo. I managed to tick every prompt apart from the cookbook prompt off, which probably had more to do with time than anything else. 2024 Prize Winner:  A Gift from the Birds by Caroline Stills (Text Prize 2024) A debut author: Earth… Continue reading Readings Book Bingo Completed-ish

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Dymocks Volume 3 2025 Completed

Ashleigh

And that’s the third volume completed! I found the prompts in this one easy to fill. They had a good balance of being open and specific, and I had a few options for some whilst others I took a good guess at where they would fit. I chose a translated book for the Branching Out… Continue reading Dymocks Volume 3 2025 Completed

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

The Friendship Book by Zanni Louise, illustrated by Nicky Johnston

Ashleigh

Title: The Friendship Book Author: Zanni Louise, illustrated by Nicky Johnston Genre: Fiction Publisher: Walker Books Australia Published: 1st November 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $24.99 Synopsis: A joyful look at the friendships we make and how to nurture them from award-winning author Zanni Louise and illustrator Nicky JohnstonFriends can come from anywhere! From school,… Continue reading The Friendship Book by Zanni Louise, illustrated by Nicky Johnston

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

Juniper’s Painting by Catherine Bauer, illustrated by Jennifer Horn

Ashleigh

Title: Juniper’s Painting Author: Catherine Bauer, illustrated by Jennifer Horn Genre:  Fiction Publisher: NewSouth Books Published: 1st October 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $26.99 Synopsis: Juniper is stuck in her beachside home. All she wants is to play on the sand, collect shells, and look for mermaids in the shallows. But it's too wet… Continue reading Juniper’s Painting by Catherine Bauer, illustrated by Jennifer Horn

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

Being Indy by Zoe Gaetjens, illustrated by Estee Sarsfield

Ashleigh

Title: Being Indy Author: Zoe Gaetjens, illustrated by Estee Sarsfield Genre: Fiction Publisher: WestWords/WestWords Children's Published: 1st October 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 40 Price: $29.95 Synopsis: There was no finer place to live than on the Mountain. Folks came from everywhere wanting to live there – including Indy. But the mountain was ruled by Percival,… Continue reading Being Indy by Zoe Gaetjens, illustrated by Estee Sarsfield

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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, adventure, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, The Nerd Daily

Earth Speak: Boodjar Wangkiny by Sean McCann, illustrated by Jade Goodwin

Ashleigh

Title: Earth Speak: Boodjar Wangkiny Author: Sean McCann, illustrated by Jade Goodwin Genre: Fiction Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 3rd June 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $26.99 Synopsis: A joyful story celebrating the natural world, the sharing of culture through Noongar language and the awe that comes from seeing, hearing and feeling how elemental… Continue reading Earth Speak: Boodjar Wangkiny by Sean McCann, illustrated by Jade Goodwin