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

September 2025 Reading Round Up

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

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The 12 Birds of Christmas by Jodie McLeod, illustrated by Eloise Short

Title: The 12 Birds of Christmas Author: Jodie McLeod, illustrated by Eloise Short Genre: Christmas Publisher: Wollemi Press Published: 1st October 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $26.95 Synopsis: From the award-winning author and illustrator of The Black Cockatoo With One Feather Blue comes this original rhyming read aloud about giving, community and sharing the… Continue reading The 12 Birds of Christmas by Jodie McLeod, illustrated by Eloise Short

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The Legend of Jessie Hickman by Mark Greenwood, illustrated by Frané Lessac

The Legend of Jessie Hickman A girl on a grey horse waving her hat. She is riding along a lake with mountains and a blue sky behind it. The mountains and ground are covered in trees and white and purple flowers. Title: The Legend of Jessie Hickman Author: Mark Greenwood, illustrated by Frané Lessac Genre:… Continue reading The Legend of Jessie Hickman by Mark Greenwood, illustrated by Frané Lessac

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The Messy Bath Monster by Tina Wilson, music by Matt Ottley

Title: The Messy Bath Monster Author: Tina Wilson, music by Matt Ottley Genre: Fiction Publisher: One Tentacle Publishing Published: 1st October 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $25.99 Synopsis: Monkey knows there’s a MONSTER hiding in the bathroom because it leaves a HUGE MESS behind. Will Monkey discover who the bath monster really is? Monkey… Continue reading The Messy Bath Monster by Tina Wilson, music by Matt Ottley

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August 2025 Reading Round Up

In August, I read 25 books and reviewed most of them. Literary judging duties are over, so I was able to do everything I could to stay on top of my reading and reviewing. And was able to read a few books that I hadn’t agreed to review. This was nice, and I am enjoying… Continue reading August 2025 Reading Round Up

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Animals on Country: Let’s look after the animals with Uncle Kuu by Victor Steffensen, illustrated by Sandra Steffensen

Title: Animals on Country: Let's look after the animals with Uncle Kuu Author: Victor Steffensen, illustrated by Sandra Steffensen Genre: Non-Fiction Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 2nd September 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $24.99 Synopsis: This engaging picture book from award-winning brother-and-sister team Victor and Sandra Steffensen inspires children and adults alike to look… Continue reading Animals on Country: Let’s look after the animals with Uncle Kuu by Victor Steffensen, illustrated by Sandra Steffensen

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Koala Fairies by Anna Pignataro

Title: Koala Fairies Author: Anna Pignataro Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Scholastic Australia Published: 1st September 2025 Format: Hardback Pages: 24 Price: $19.99 Synopsis: In a faraway place, where the bush meets the sea, live two little friends in the eucalypt tree ... Say hello to adorable Koala Fairy friends, Cookie and Clover. Together, they look after… Continue reading Koala Fairies by Anna Pignataro

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How Big Is Love? by Carl Merrison and Hakea Hustler, illustrated by Jade Goodwin

Title: How Big Is Love? Author: Carl Merrison and Hakea Hustler, illustrated by Jade Goodwin Genre: Fiction Publisher: Hachette/Lothian Published: 26th August 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $24.99 Synopsis: The love between two family members takes us on a journey from their small backyard, across Country, to the end of time - because sometimes… Continue reading How Big Is Love? by Carl Merrison and Hakea Hustler, illustrated by Jade Goodwin

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Stories from Magic Beach by Alison Lester and Robert Connolly with eleven world-class animators

Title: Stories from Magic Beach Author: Alison Lester and Robert Connolly with eleven world-class animators Genre: Non-Fiction Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 1st April 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 96 Price: $29.99 Synopsis: Inspired by Alison Lester's much-loved classic, this is the book of the film by Paper Planes creator Robert Connolly, featuring the work of eleven world-class… Continue reading Stories from Magic Beach by Alison Lester and Robert Connolly with eleven world-class animators

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Rainbow Street by R.W.R McDonald

Title: Rainbow Street Author: R.W.R McDonald Genre: Fiction Publisher: Larrikin House Published: 26th August 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $24.99 Synopsis: Welcome to Rainbow Street! Meet Cherry's rainbow family and her fun-loving neighbours as they enjoy a street party with family traditions and delicious food from around the world. Rainbow Street invites young readers… Continue reading Rainbow Street by R.W.R McDonald