Tag: picture book

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

The Counting Sheep by Natashia Curtin

Ashleigh

Title: The Counting Sheep Author: Natashia Curtin Genre: Humour Publisher: Wombat Books Published: 1st March 2026 Format: Pages: Price: $24.99 Synopsis: There once were four friends who loved playing music together. But every time they began to play, something strange happened ... What if every time your band played music everyone fell fast asleep? This… Continue reading The Counting Sheep by Natashia Curtin

#AussieAuthors2026, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, historical fiction, history, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, Scholastic

ANZAC Biscuits (Special Edition) by Phil Cummings, illustrated by Owen Swan

Ashleigh

Title: ANZAC Biscuits (Special Edition) Author: Phil Cummings, illustrated by Owen Swan Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: Scholastic Australia Published: 1st March 2026 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $26.99 Synopsis: Rachel's in the kitchen, warm and safe. Her father's in the trenches, cold and afraid ... When Rachel makes biscuits for her father, she adds the… Continue reading ANZAC Biscuits (Special Edition) by Phil Cummings, illustrated by Owen Swan

#AussieAuthors2026, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Awards, Books, CBCA

CBCA 2026 Book of the Year Awards Notables

Ashleigh

The CBCA Notables for 2026 have been announced! This list has been chosen from 736 entries. There were 223 picture book entries, 181 Younger Reader entries, 144 Early Childhood entries, 77 Eve Pownall entries, 73 Older Reader entries and 38 New Illustrator entries. Wow! Good luck to everyone, I think its going to be hard… Continue reading CBCA 2026 Book of the Year Awards Notables

animals, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, historical fiction, history, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, mythology, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews

Kupe and and the Great Octopus of Muturangi by Mat Tait

Ashleigh

Title: Kupe and and the Great Octopus of Muturangi Author: Mat Tait Genre: Fiction Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 24th March 2026 Format: Hardcover Pages: 36 Price: $29.99 Synopsis: Kupe's voyage to Aotearoa, told and illustrated by award-winning author Mat Tait. Kupe's voyage to Aotearoa!Kupe found that a huge, fearsome wheke (octopus) was taking all… Continue reading Kupe and and the Great Octopus of Muturangi by Mat Tait

#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

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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

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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

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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