Where shall we travel today? by Kristin Martin. Illus. by Nicky Johnston

Just in time for this year’s CBCA 2025 Book Week Theme: Book An Adventure, this glorious new picture book from talented SA author and poet Kristin Martin, will delight both children and adults. Beginning and ending with endpapers silhouetting childhood friends against a setting sun, this adventurous and playful story will provide reminders of those long summer holidays spent outdoors where time had no routine.

The poetic rhyming verse is skilfully constructed and floats across as the pages as the children follow their imaginations and joyfully engage with each other. The clever use of bold and larger text to place emphasis on key words provides an opportunity to introduce new concepts and vocabulary for younger readers.

The softly muted pastel illustrations by Nicky Johnston are full of life and capture beautifully the friendship and the fun the children experience. The energy and vitality that these young friends display and their creative thoughts and play will hopefully encourage other children to head outside and enjoy time outdoors.

Where Shall We Travel Today? is a wonderful read aloud and definitely deserves a place in public and primary school libraries. 

Themes: Adventures, Imagination, Friends, Family, Neighbourhood, Diversity.

Kathryn Beilby