Bat Brikson, the adopted son of Adeline and Joab of the Cattenveldt tribe is less than two centimetres tall, lives in Groundlands and wants to fly beyond the grass to the world above.
Bat has never really fitted in; he looks different and he has different dreams to the other Groundlands residents. Bat wants to be high and join the Drakkonbarqs who ride dragon(flies), live in the treetops, and are feared by most of the people in Bat’s village. Then there are the Bittenklore, the other ground dwelling tribe who although are not the enemy they are essentially the ruling class of the Groundlands.
When Bat gets the chance to ride a moth and adventure into the world of the Drakkonbarq he is swept into a world he couldn’t even have imagined existed but there is danger here too and although he feels more at home in the trees he still must face his fears and find out who he really is.
This is a magnificent book and one that needs to be read slowly and quietly to really understand the true wonder of the story. Although ‘little people’ stories have been around for a long time, this adventure fantasy feels less like a fantasy and more like a discovery of a world within the human world. I loved the worlds of Bat and his friends both old and new and the gentle tension that comes from finding new places and trying to fit in while also trying to find out who you really are. This was one of those books that you can’t put down and need to read “just one more” chapter to find out how the story develops and ends.
This would make a brilliant class novel or read aloud for upper Primary classes but would also be enjoyed as an independent read for readers who will take the time to really engage with the wonder and magic of this story.
The night tiger by Sherryl Clark & Hannah Sommerville
Allen & Unwin, 2026. ISBN: 9781760113421. (Age:3+) Highly recommended.
As the day ends and the setting sun fills the window with red, a boy finishes his meal and plays with mum before he goes to his bedroom. Outside, darkness has fallen and a single star glitters in the sky. The cat jumps onto his bed but the boy cannot close his eyes. Shadows climb over the walls, the boy worries about what might be there in the darkness. He stands by the window and watches the silver-grey outside, hears twigs scratching the glass and bats flying in front of the rolling clouds. The moon casts a pale light over the garden as the boy climbs out of the window, and into the garden.
Once outside he becomes the night tiger.
He stares into the eyes of the black cat, and they pounce. The boy leaps and growls, and vanquishes the shadows. He watches the owl take off from the tree, the tiger flying after him. Coldness grips him, the black cat hisses and the spell is broken. He turns his back on the moon and climbs through his bedroom window. He snuggles down with the cat beside him and dreams of being the night tiger, bouncing, pouncing, while he sleeps.
This lovely story of imagination, of adventure, of courage will appeal to all children, as they recognise the dreams they also have of being brave, daring, of being heroic and bold, of overcoming fears. In our dreams we can be all we want to be. Beautifully evocative, layered words are accompanied by illustrations that take the breath away. Who hasn’t snuggled in bed worried by the shadows or what might lie in a dark corner of the room. Sommerville creates a dark, menacing background which reflect the boy’s fears, and as he climbs out of the window, he becomes the strong, silent, bold tiger, as the moon offers some light. The dark garden becomes a playground for the tiger and the black cat, as they pounce and bounce through the grass.
I love the image of the tiger behind the tree, on one side still the boy, then passing behind the tree he emerges as the tiger, and the contrast between the safe room with mum, compared with the darkness of his bedroom. And the endpapers, the first showing the house and garden at sunset, compares neatly with the last endpaper later at night, with everyone asleep.
Themes Fear of the dark, Courage, Adventure, Tigers.
Fran Knight
Sharks Up Close by Aidan Green
Wild Dog Books, 2026. ISBN: 9781742037264. (Age:5+) Highly recommended.
Any library can never have enough shark books. They are so popular with young readers and this newly released hardcover edition of Sharks Up Close will be flying off the shelves! The full page colour photographs are a highlight and combined with small chunks of accessible text, this will be a nonfiction book borrowed time and time again. Each shark captured in film is clearly labelled and while there is the most well known – the Great White shark - there are also lesser known ones shown including the Sand Tiger shark, Lemon shark, Ocean Whitetip shark and the Goblin shark.
Throughout the book the interesting facts are presented in large font either black or white depending on the darkness of photographic background. Did you know:
· There are over 500 species of sharks alive today - the smallest being the Dwarf Lantern shark at 20cm and the largest being the Whale shark that can grow up to 18m · Scales are called dermal denticles and are more like teeth than scales · For First Nations People living in coastal areas, sharks can represent totems, ancestors and sometimes gods. · Humans are responsible for the death of approximately 100 million sharks each year. · The largest shark to ever live was the megalodon which lived between 3.6 and 20 million years ago. It could grow up to 20 metres in length
For both teachers and students, this book serves as an excellent model for factual report writing, offering clear coverage of habitat, features, life cycle, diet, and a range of engaging additional facts.
Themes Sharks, Features, Life Cycles, First Nations, Facts, Photographs.
Kathryn Beilby
The hair of the pigeon by Mohammed Massoud Morsi
UWA Publishing, 2026. ISBN: 9781760803247. (Age:16+) Highly recommended.
Morsi’s novel reveals the struggles of Palestinian refugees in Syria, living in the Yamouk camp, not the refugee tents that you might imagine but a large haphazard suburb of structures that have accumulated over time. The lives of the inhabitants have been upended by the conflict in the Middle East, ‘hopeful souls cast by fate as fodder to the beast of politics and power’. It is where Ghassan’s childhood begins, his friendship with thick-skinned Badawi, and nascent love for Sama, she of the swirling dark hair and the flock of homing pigeons.
At its heart this is a love story, told from Ghassan’s point of view. But he is reticent person; Sama describes him as different, his mind always elsewhere. Morsi allows his thoughts, sudden memories, and dreams to drop into the story, just as they do in life. Through them Ghassan (and the reader) gains insight into the emotions and events that thread his life.
Everything in Ghassan’s world is disrupted, people torn apart, people hurt, betrayed and killed. Most harrowing are the chapters about his capture and torture in Sednaya prison the ‘Human Slaughterhouse’, notorious during Assad’s regime. For those that flee, there is the desperation of escape by overloaded boats, at the mercy of thrashing waves and hostile naval craft.
The joy in this story is the sense of shared humanity, of people caring for each other, the friendship that burgeons in the loneliest places. They are characters that we can all relate to, creating an understanding that we all have the same hope and dreams, ‘our living oneness’. It is a profoundly moving account, one which is built from stories lived and experienced, and descriptions that reflect Morsi’s observant eye as photographer, journalist and now writer.
The hair of the pigeon is the well-deserving winner of the 2025 Dorothy Hewett Award.
Themes Syria, Love, War, Refugees, Humanity, Endurance, Kindness, Redemption.
Helen Eddy
Sophia and Gracie to the rescue by Kate Waterhouse. Illus. by Sally Spratt
Sophia is the fastest horse in town and Princess Gracie is her best friend. They are both in need of a holiday and decide to go away together. Then disaster strikes and their holiday is interrupted by a cyclone. The two friends must work together to save the day, using their unique skills and connections to support those who have been affected by the disaster.
This is a beautifully illustrated picture book with many fine details in the images. The story is told in rhyme that at times does follow the cadence required to make it flow. There are times when the words chosen requires the reader to force the rhyme which breaks the flow of the words.
Overall, this book is brilliant for young children who like animal stories and seeing the main characters helping those who have been impacted by a disaster or other misfortune. I loved the interplay between Sophia and Grace and the amazing illustrations, the horses are truly brought to life by the incredible artwork of Sally Spratt.
Sophia and Grace to the Rescue is the third book written by Kate Waterhouse that follows the adventures of these two horses and would be a wonderful addition to any home library. This series of books can be read aloud, although I do recommend reading it first to work out where you will need to adjust your flow or pronunciation to make the rhymes work.
Integrity is important. It helps us to make good decisions. And making good decisions means we feel good about ourselves.
Integrity is not an easy word to explain to young children but with the thoughtful examples shared - Have you ever given up your bus seat even though your legs are tired? Have you ever picked up litter that wasn’t yours? Or owned up to squiggling on the carpet? – children will begin to grasp the idea.
The first concept discussed in the book is about values that are important: respect, honesty, helpfulness, tidiness, fairness, manners, loyalty, hard work and keeping promises. This provides a valuable opportunity for discussion where children can add their own. From these values, children learn that values guide their actions and how they might respond to different situations. Examples are given throughout to help further encourage understanding of the concept of integrity and importantly, that integrity does not necessarily need to be rewarded, it can happen when a good decision is made.
The vibrant and engaging graphic novel style scene centred on the finding of a packet of dropped jellybeans, beautifully demonstrates the concept of integrity. It may lead to a perfect teaching/learning moment when children could create their own artwork to share with others about a situation that involved integrity.
A trio of bilbies walk to their new home behind the wire fence. They bemoan the fact that they have little water and no food, because of the rabbits, cats and foxes, and so need to find a new home. Easter Bilby leads the two young bilbies through the rabbit fence and into their new home, completely free of the introduced species which have had such an impact on native animals. But once inside the protected area, they find it is very bare. So some negotiation is required to firstly find some seeds. Lizard points out the that there are already seeds in the ground, while the Mistletoe Bird shows them what the birds do in spreading seeds. And the Hopping Mice show how they spread seed wherever they go. For the seeds to grow, they need water. Bearded Lizard points out that the rain will soon come and germinate the seeds wherever they are. The bilbies show the others how they dig, causing furrows in the ground just right for water capture and seeds to thrive. They then burrow down into the ground to stay until the rain passes.
The next double page shows a bright, luminous image of the desert after the rain passes. Growth is luxurious, colourful and widespread. And the illustrator, Bianca Richardson, has added the names of each which will encourage young readers to try and grow some of these themselves. The illustrations are wonderful, showing the red desert in its majesty, covered by growth after the rains, and supporting the many animals that live there.
Several pages will bring gasps of surprise from the young audience. The double page showing the rain is breathtaking, as are the following double pages showing the desert in bloom. The last double page has illustrations and information about each of the introduced animals shown in the story: Foxes, cats and rabbits. And of the animals now protected in these safe havens: bilbies, hopping mice, mistletoe birds and bearded dragons. Each of the protected animals has a role to play in the desert environment and young readers will love reading about what these animals do to survive.
The GOLF squad have been sucked into a desert world in the final mad-cap adventure of the 18,000 holes in the Universe series. The series follows five friends who find the most amazing, confusing, and incredible golf course in the entire universe. Each hole takes the intrepid group to a new place full of danger and golf as they try to save Grandpa Galileo and his golf course from terrible Uncle GOOF.
As the title suggests there are 18,000 holes in Grandpa Galileo’s golf course and the friends must find him before time runs out, the only problem is he has been in the course for 20 years and they only have a couple of hours before the course is destroyed and a boring hotel is built in its place.
I haven’t read the first two books in the series but after finishing this one I really wanted to read them all in order as I really enjoyed this book. The action is fast-paced, the illustrations are brilliant and the adventures are funny and crazy as you would expect from the creators of the Fartboy series. You don’t have to like golf to get into this book, as it is filled with danger and wonder that will appeal to readers of all ages. If the rest of the series is as good as this final book, then this is sure to be a favourite for independent readers. It would be an enjoyable read aloud although the illustrations really enhance the story which makes it more suitable for independent readers who can read at their own pace and focus on the illustrations as they travel through time and space on the quest to rescue Grandpa and save the golf course once and for all.
Themes Friendship, Family, Adventure, Space Travel.
Mhairi Alcorn
Connected: Networks for Kids by R. A. Stephens. Illus. by Tamlyn Teow
Connected: Networks for Kids is a primary years introduction to the mathematical concept of ‘graph theory’ where networks and network diagrams are visual ways of displaying connections and relationships. From researching the Australian Curriculum this concept is more likely to be introduced in Year 10 Maths but this narrative nonfiction picture book gives an accessible and concise explanation of the concept to primary school aged readers.
Chloe has a dot on her top which is called a ‘node’. Her siblings and friends also have nodes and they are connected by lines or ‘edges’. This is called a network. The network expands with more family and friend connections and this is called a ‘spanning tree’. When the edges loop back together again it is called a ‘circuit’.
As well as increasing children’s understanding of how networks function and grow, Connected: Networks for Kids also thoughtfully reinforces the idea that children and adults form networks reminding readers that everyone is connected in meaningful ways.
The colourful and vibrant illustrations begin with Chloe alone on a single page and finish with a diverse range of characters in front of a world wide connected map on a double page spread. The endpapers add to the visual interest with the front showing people standing alone and the back showing them all connected. There is also a valuable page with Extra Maths Facts.
Skipping to Sammy's beat by Coral Vass. Illus. by Blithe Fielden
New Frontier, 2026. ISBN: 9781923331020. (Age:3+) Recommended.
Sammy loves to be herself, but others make what she does seem unacceptable. This story is a delight, encouraging all children to follow their feelings of being themselves.
Sammy loves above all to dance; skipping along in her pink tutu, yellow gunboats and huge wings, singing ta dum to herself. But turning five, she notices other children wearing quite different clothes, so her tutu feels silly. She divests herself of her tutu, wings, gumboots and helmet, and keeps dancing. The other children laugh at her and she stops dancing. She watches the others do the things she liked: dancing, looking at ladybirds, and splashing in the puddles. She sits by herself, a shadow of her former self. Suddenly a dragonfly lands in her hand and the others come across to see what she is holding. She shows them and allows the insect to fly away, following its path. The children ask Sammy to play with them, but she has found her beat, and dances off singing, and the others join her.
She has remained true to herself, finding again that her own beat is what matters. This lovely story will appeal to all readers, seeing Sammy being herself, and not changing to suit the others. After a small blip where she feels rejected by them, her difference is accepted as she remains true to her beat.
Working with her ipad, Blithe Fielden loves to keep the lines supporting the illustrations, so creating a lively, humorous set of images, colourful and child centred, filled with lots of detail found in gardens. Blithe now lives in Brisbane, after completing her degree in Leeds, and we will see more work by this talented illustrator.
How we all try to fit in underscores this story as this person is so desirous to fit in, but despite whatever they do, they do not fit. They see someone else who also does not fit, and together they meet a third person who also does not fit. The three look at the mob under the umbrella, keeping them outside. One of their number suggests they get their own umbrella. And they do. But one decides this is not what they want either, and so moves outside the umbrella. Here they meet another in the same predicament, and they really want to fit in. Those inside the umbrella look at those outside, and most cannot see anyone, until one of their group sees them. Looking outside the umbrella means their eyes are opened and they can all come together.
Looking for their own place in the world, the group tries out being separated, try out being part of another group with their own umbrella, then putting it away to just be themselves. Fitting under the umbrella is an uncompromising metaphor for children wanting to feel part of the group, and this book succeeds in presenting the idea of fitting in.
Promoting the virtues of acceptance, kindness, and cooperation, the story extolls diversity within our community, of accepting that we are all different and should glory in these differences not sideline them.
The idea of an umbrella excluding some in our community is an interesting image to give to young children, their quick minds eager to pick up the notion being discussed.
They will really absorb the idea of out and in, of some accepted and others not, as they may have all had a similar experience. But the ideas of acceptance and kindness go hand in hand, as the children in the book all come together under the rainbow flag.
Handbooks for Little Humans: Inclusion by Zanni Louise. Illus. by Jingting Wang
Simon & Schuster, 2026. ISBN: 9781923293199. (Age:4 -7 year olds) Highly recommended.
Being inclusive is when we make the world feel friendly and safe for everyone.
Handbooks for Little Humans: Inclusion is the third book in a new series for young children. These books are highly accessible resource guides for both adults and children to engage in meaningful conversations about everyday happenings.
Have you ever changed your game so everyone can play? Or made sure all your friends received an invitation? Have you ever asked to hear someone else’s story?
These three simple questions relate to being inclusive. For young children this often comes naturally but as children grow things can often change. Children begin to notice the differences between others and a lack of understanding may lead to complicated situations.
To gently introduce young children to the idea of inclusivity, the book is organised into accessible double page spreads, each one sharing valuable information through colourfully presented vignettes, illustrations and a graphic insert. Under the headings - Listen and Learn, Being Proud of Who You Are, There’s A lot We Share, Helping Everyone Feel Welcome, You Belong Too – the thoughts and insights shared are perfectly pitched for young readers to understand the book’s intention.
It’s Show and Tell time in the classroom and everyone is eager to show their classmates what they have brought to school. Heti and Greg have a very big egg while Bill and Ben have a musical instrument. When the teacher Kim calls up Snell, she finds it very hard to come out of her shell. Her heart beats fast and her words are too slow. Kim tells her not to worry and to show what she has at the end of the day. And what a lovely surprise it is, one that makes all her classmates feel wonderful.
This early reader is a great example of a well-illustrated book that will appeal to children who are just beginning to learn to read. Not only does it make a point of showing children that it is OK to be slow, overcoming nerves, while taking their time to do something, the large black print is perfect for early readers and the colourful, humorous illustrations complement the text. It is also designed to be used with an adult reading aloud, with rhyming words at the end of sentences in a different colour, helping a child to guess what the word is.
At the end of the book are sections of 'New Words to Learn' and 'How to draw Snell', as well as a section showing adults 'How to Use This Book'. It an ideal first reader to use at home and to have in a class library.
Themes Early reader, Monsters, Overcoming nerves, Persistence.
With a grandson just beginning to read, I was thrilled to
pick up Treehouse troubles, a graphic novel starring Daisy and Bug, two very cute, strange little creatures. Bug loves to nap and isn’t thrilled when Daisy, who always has a
bright idea, wakes him up, excited with a plan to build a treehouse. But as Bug
says “ We don’t have a tree”, so it is difficult to see how her great idea will
work out. Daisy is determined to have a treehouse and decides to grow a tree in
their backyard. She digs a hole, puts in a plant, gives it an enormous dose of
Extreme Grow fertiliser and oh wow! an enormous strawberry plant, bigger than
their house, lurches up towards the sky. And then the fun begins!
The bright colours and engaging little creatures are sure to
enthral the young child, who will easily identify with Bug’s desire to nap or
long to come up with unique ideas like the ones that Daisy has, and will want to have the adventures like those of the two good friends. The illustrations are gorgeous and I especially loved
the double page spread of Bug and Daisy lounging under deep green strawberry
leaves on a purple rug, surrounded by luscious red fruit.
The story is broken in four chapters, which will encourage the
beginning reader to feel that they moving along to chapter books, and the
minimal text, supported by the pictures, will help them work out the words and
the story. There is a quiz at the back of the book, letting the reader decide whether they are more like Bug or Daisy, and instructions on how to draw these
two engaging little characters. Downloadable activities are available on the
Author’s website.
I loved this graphic novel and look forward to
reading more of Bug and Daisy’s adventures in the next in the series,
Cake-tastrophy.
Kingfisher’s Snake-eater drew me in, so much so that I couldn’t resist a second reading. Snake-eater is not as horror driven as some of her other novels, like The twisted ones, a Locus Award Nominee for Best Horror Novel 2020, although there are elements of horror with the protagonist, Selena, living in an isolated house and being visited by vengeful gods. Selena is a young woman whose husband has constantly put her down, making jokes in front of their friends about her ability to function, even though she manages a shop, and the other workers like her. When she finally gets the opportunity to leave her unhappy marriage, she travels with her dog Copper to an isolated desert town, Quartz Creek, where she hopes to stay with her Aunt Amelia whom she hasn’t seen for many years. But Amelia has died, and with only 27 dollars to her name, Selena is desperate, and when she is told that she could stay in her aunt’s house, she quickly takes up the offer. She becomes friendly with the local priest and her neighbour Grandma Billy, who kindly help her out. But strange things begin to happen and Selena finds herself having disturbing apparitions and a weird birdlike creature seems to be pursuing her.
Kingfisher moves her story from the normal everyday life of a young woman seeking shelter and being helped by neighbours to one of trying to stop a vengeful god destroying her. Selena is beset with anxiety and has little self-confidence; her husband having leeched it away over the years. Readers will gain a deep insight into the sort of ways that that is done and will be wary if they see it happening in their own lives. Meanwhile, Kingfisher shows a community that is willing to help a stranger in need, building up her self esteem and helping her establish herself in her new home. The suspense builds up, with some mind-blowing revelations, as the reader wonders if Selena will have the courage to resist Snake-eater.
The warmth of the Quartz Creek community, welcoming another misfits in need, made Snake-eater one of Kingfisher’s most memorable reads for me. Highly recommended.
