The Messy Bath Monster by Tina Wilson with Music by Matt Ottley & Knitted Creatures by Joan Wilson14/10/2025 
Monkey is going on another adventure. Not to Venice this time but to the depths of his bathtub to try and find the messy bath monster. He's sure it's lurking in there somewhere. He puts on his snorkel and plunges deep, deep down until he finds the bottom - not of the bathtub - but of the sea! At first he thinks the octopus might be the messy bath monster. Then he thinks it might be the whale. But neither are the messy bath monster. Can you guess who the messy bath monster really is?
This is such a charming, engaging story and is certain to captivate young readers. Tina Wilson has (almost!) cleverly disguised who the real messy bath monster is by embarking on a wild adventure to the high seas where Monkey encounters fish, crabs, octopuses, whales and even a pirate ship. There is something delightful to be found on every page and the combination of knitted creatures combined with real life backgrounds is ingenious. There is such attention to detail in these images with knitted toothpaste and toothbrush, clown fish, starfish, coral and even a hermit crab. And I love the end papers where we see Monkey following a real whale. As a read aloud there is plenty to accentuate with words like STOP, MESS, BIG, NOISY and SPLASH all in larger font just begging to be emphasised. But for the complete experience of Monkey's latest adventure, you need to listen to Matt Ottley's marvellous, animated and playful music accompanying the story as it's read aloud by the author. The music enriches the narrative and opens new dimensions of imagination. Bravo on adventure no. 2 Monkey! I can't for the next Great Adventure. Readers don't forget to look for live performances of The Messy Bath Monster at special book launches. More information HERE Teaching themes could include marine creatures, whales, octopi, the ocean, monkeys, bathtime, knitting, music. Find out more about Tina Wilson Find out more about Matt Ottley Find out more about Monkey Find out more about The Sound of Picture Books Published by One Tentacle Publishing Release date: 01 October, 2025 ISBN: 9780648511946 Highly recommended for ages 3+
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I was thrilled to be interviewed on 1233ABC local radio about this years CBCA winners and the judging process. I even managed to sneak in a plug for Shadow Judging too! Audio below.
 Terry Fide’s dad is a brilliant ghost detective. When Mr Horry Fide gets called to a haunting, he talks to the ghost to find out the why the ghost is being so scary. Problem solved! Terry wants to be just like him, but the trouble is Terry is afraid of ghosts! All except his ghost dog Bones. Terry didn’t inherit his family’s unique way of dealing with unruly spirits. Instead, every time a ghost comes near, Terry gets wobbly knees and an itchy belly that makes him feel like a thousand fleas have invaded his clothes. Worse still, he scratches and jiggles and simply cannot stand still.
But when dad is called away to Sydney to attend to several meddlesome ghost sightings, he leaves Terry in charge to sort out the ghost in Miss Quibble’s bakery. Along with Bones and his best friend Max, he reluctantly heads over to the bakery. On the way the boys see Avery, who is in the same class as the two boys and insists on coming along to ‘…check this out – like it’s even true.’ Chaos and mayhem ensues when they try to get the ghost to talk to them. Avery, now a firm ghost believer, devises a clever trap and once caught, Terry can finally talk to the ghost and find out the true reasons behind this very messy haunting. This is a fabulous, fast paced, spooky adventure that will have readers hooked from the very first page. The language, settings and characters are all easily relatable for the target audience. Love the play on words for the main character’s name – Terry Fide (terrified) and his dad Mr Horry Fide (horrified) – and the way the author expertly has us emotionally invested in Terry from the beginning with sentences like - In fact, he feared anything remotely spooky – spiders, rats, creaking floorboards, even the dark and Terry felt sick. Even a spelling test would be more fun than chasing after ghosts. I know that’s exactly how I would feel! Themes of kindness, bravery and friendship are embedded in this first book of the Ghost Detective series with the other two central characters – Max and Avery - appealing to both boys and girls. STEM plays a part in the story too with Avery’s character interested in inventing and designing. The black and white illustrations seamlessly support and enhance the narrative throughout, and readers will love their fun, comic book feel. And the end papers are delightful! This will be a must have series, especially for those looking for something engaging and challenging and a step up from early readers. Teaching themes could include friendship, bravery, resilience, ghosts, design thinking, engineering, inventions, problem solving. Find out more about Jeannette Stampone Find out more about Jasmine Berry Published by About Kids Books Release date July 2025 ISBN: 9870994642813 Highly recommended for ages 6 to 9  Nate’s nose looked just like any other, perfectly normal nose. . .
except it definitely wasn’t normal! Nate’s nose could make all kinds of musical sounds. It was like having his own band right there inside his nose. Nate’s nose amused his friends and kept the birds away from the vegie patch. His dog Rascal loved it too because they could make music (sort of!) together. But not everybody liked his musical nose. It began causing LOTS of problems at home, at school, in the shopping mall and at the cinema. Nate and his nose weren’t welcome anywhere anymore. What could Nate do? How could he stop his loud musical nose from being, well, loud and musical! Enter Gabby the Geek, the world famous electronics wizard. Surely, they could help Nate? This is a delightful story about something ordinary that becomes quite extraordinary, and the pros and cons that accompany such a dilemma. Nate’s nose initially makes him stand out in a most wonderful way but eventually he finds it becomes more of a hinderance and less of an advantage. The illustrations are the perfect complement to the text with colourful, whacky and engaging characters. (My personal favourite is Gabby the Geek and her amazing hat and green hair!) The fonts and placement of the onomatopoeic words highlight the noises and musicality that flow from Nate’s personal ‘nose band’ and add to the fun of the story. Nate's Noisy Nose is a story about being unique, finding acceptance and discovering the positives in embracing change. This is well-crafted, humorous, and slightly gross (as you would expect from any nose story!) and it will elicit more than a few giggles and put a smile on the face of the reader. Nate's Noisy Nose is about being unique, finding acceptance and discovering the positives in embracing change. Oh and also about being loud! Find out more about Frances Mackay Find out more about Dotti Colvin Published by Frances Mackay Release date: October 2024 ISBN: 9780646705323 Recommended for ages 3 + Teaching themes could include: noses, music, musical instruments, sound, acceptance, dogs, families, school life and change.  What a delightful collection of poems to get everyone in the Christmas mood! Marg Gibbs has captured the essence of Christmas in this collection of poetry, many of which remind me of my own childhood Christmases out bush and newer ones by the beach where I live. From ‘Where Are The Cherries?’ – a staple in house for Christmas – to ‘Santa’s Lost Boots’ – doesn’t everyone have a pair of thongs and red shorts to wear on Christmas Day? – these poems are for the whole family to read and enjoy. Some will create a more thoughtful mood like ‘Inside The Heart For You’ and ‘24 Wishes’, while others will have you laughing out loud like ‘Goanna On The Run’. You can learn how to draw a Christmas Tree and Dad can learn a few more jokes to roll out on Christmas Day! The illustrations are beautiful and I love that the children’s drawings have been included too. For me that makes it extra special and magical. There is definitely something for everyone in this collection. Teaching themes could include Christmas, family, drawing, art, Australian animals, resilience, adaptability and jokes. This collection could also generate discussions about other special celebrations. Find out more about Marg Gibbs Published by Marg Gibbs Release date: October 2024 ISBN: 9780645130980 (PB) Recommended for ages 3 + Thanks to Romi Sharpe and Books On Tour for the pdf copy and images
  It’s almost Charlie’s birthday and the postman has delivered a very big, very elaborately wrapped box. What could it be? Should he shake it? Toss it? Is it valuable? Could it be a phone or a rocket or a dinosaur? The postman only comes by a few times a year so this has got to be something amazing. But when he opens it, the box is empty except for a note that begins ‘To my dearest mate Charlie’ and finishes with ‘Imagine the things this could be if you tried.’ Charlie and the postman have played tricks on each other before so rather than being disappointed, Charlie knows exactly why the postman has delivered an empty box – so Charlie can go on fantastic adventures to places he would never have dreamed possible! A seemingly simple box becomes a ship, a rocket, even an emu – thanks to some glue, things around the house, and Charlie's vivid imagination. This new story by Kelly Louise Jarris is not just about receiving mail. It touches on the very special connection and friendship postmen and women have with those they deliver to in rural and remote communities. It also encourages children to see the possibilities and value in ordinary, everyday things and think ‘outside of the box’ – pun intented! The lilting rhyme makes the story a joy to read aloud and Natalie Herington’s illustrations enrich the text with the colours and unique aspects of life on a remote property. Teaching themes could include rural & remote communities, postal services, letter writing, Australian animals, imagination, art & craft and farm life. Find out more about Kelly Louise Jarris Find out more about Natalie Herington Published by KLJ Books Release date June 2024 ISBN: 9780645535181 Recommended for ages 3 to 7. Thanks to Romi Sharpe and Books on Tour PR& Marketing for the images, and to Kelly Louise Jarris for the advance copy of the book.  Luke, Clare and Zac are off on a thrilling and heart stopping journey to Tasmania’s wilderness in Sandra Bennett’s TRACKS IN THE MIST, the final installment of The Adamson Adventures. When the three siblings hear of strange bird sightings in southern Tasmania they come to the only conclusion that makes sense. The bird that hatched from the egg they brought back from their last time travel adventure into the past, is the one people are talking about. Tall as a human, beak like a duck and covered in brightly coloured feathers, Zoe was quite content on Uncle Tom’s farm in Queensland, until she inadvertently hitched a ride in the back of a truck delivering apples that has come from, and has gone all the way back to, Tasmania. They devise a plan to find Zoe and return her to the farm, away from the dinosaur hunters and researchers who they fear will capture and cage her forever. This time Mum insists that Dad goes along so there are no 'almost' catastrophes like the last time. But once they get there, it turns out Dad is the one that needs help. Set in the wilderness of southern Tasmania this story has everything. The richness of the rivers, forests and wildlife are beautifully portrayed in this adventure. From kayaking down the Catamaran River to trekking through dense undergrowth to finding a poacher’s cave hidden in the deepest forest, Sandra Bennett’s description of the wilderness is sweeping and mesmerizing. She draws the reader in with clever plot twists and heart stopping action, all the while making sure environmental concerns and animal welfare are interwoven into each encounter with both poachers and researchers. A fast paced, gripping tale of the race to save not just one, but two species that are supposed to be extinct (but are they?), this story will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. This is my first Adamson Adventure and although it can be read as a stand alone, I’m going back to read the first three in the series. I’m hooked! Teaching themes could include endangered animals, extinct species, environmental protection and awareness, wilderness conservation, Tasmania, national parks, thylacine, animal trafficking, poaching, animal protection, camping, kayaking and outdoor activities. Find out more about Sandra Bennett Published by Rosella Ridge Books Release date: June 1, 2024 ISBN: 9780648938248 Highly recommended for ages 7 + This picture book anthology is bursting with the beauty and colour that makes Australia such a unique and wonderful place. Each double page spread represents the styles and imaginations of eighteen talented illustrators who take us on an artistic journey around the country. There is a wonder, curiosity, and respect for nature evident in each of their carefully crafted visions. From the forests to the seas, from the cities to the bush, they share their insights and inspirations into what connects them to our great wide land. We swim in our breathtaking reefs, wander through purple gorges, run with brumbies in the snow, immerse ourselves in multicultural cityscapes, marvel at the first signs of new life after a bushfire, and delight in the intricate patterns we find in geckos, gumnuts, and blossoms. A celebration of life both large and small, this anthology evokes a deep sense of appreciation for what we see around us. A superb collection of illustrations and thoughts representing the many perspectives that make up the land we call home. Find out more about Just Write For Kids and Our Australian Heart Published by Daisy Lane Publishing Release date: December 2023 ISBN: 9780645842722 (HB) Recommended for ages 3 +
 Xander’s life is pretty typical of that of a 12-year-old boy. He has two best friends – Cat and Tee-Jay, a loving mum and dad, and a younger sister Phoebe who always finds the positives in everything – despite being in a wheelchair. He wishes he could be brave and courageous like his sister and the superheroes he loves to draw – but he isn’t. He wishes he could stand up to the boys that bully him at school – the Clagg brothers aka the ‘Bruise Brothers’ – but he doesn’t. He wishes he could solve the mystery of why the alpacas on Cat’s farm are dying – but he can’t.
Until one day he finds a golden ink pen and discovers that anything he draws with this magic pen comes true. He defeats the Clagg Brothers, enables his sister to walk again, helps his father win a fishing contest that gives the family more money than they’ve ever had, and comes first in a school math competition, even though his friend Tee-Jay deserved the prize more. But each time something wonderful happens it quickly turns into something awful. He alienates his friends, his once loving mum and dad are no longer speaking to each other, and Xander himself has changed under the influence of the pen. Instead of the sunny, easy-going person he once was Xander is now bitter and spiteful. But sister Phoebe comes to the rescue with her truthfulness and unwavering support. Xander is soon making amends for situations that went awry. The mystery of the poisoned water and dying alpacas on Cat’s farm is the last problem needing to be solved. Xander knows he can’t do it alone and that to solve the mystery, he has to earn back the trust of his friends Cat and Tee-Jay and together find the solution. David Lawrence tackles some deep and serious issues in this story with warmth and compassion. Disability, bullying, greed, and dishonesty are woven into the story in a way that is age appropriate and meaningful for readers. Cherie Dignam’s black and white illustrations enhance the story and provide the perfect visual insight into the main characters. This is Book 2 of The Pen series. Teaching themes could include fantasy, families, bullying, communities, friendship, greed, problem solving, disability, trust and courage. Find out more about David Lawrence Find out more about Cherie Dignam Published by EK Books an imprint of Exisle Publishing Release date: 14 November 2023 ISBN: 9781922539403 Recommended for ages 9 to 13  For most of her short life, Lillian Velvet has lived with her stern, uncompromising and decidedly unaffectionate grandmother. Her days are regimented and she must follow the routine set for her otherwise there is the sting of a sharp reprimand. But things change dramatically on the day of her tenth birthday. Grandmother gives Lillian a jar of gold coins and tells her, ‘Don’t go out, don’t open the door to anyone – and don’t spend all your coins at once,’ which seems odd to Lillian as she’s not allowed to go out so how could she spend her coins? Just when she thinks things cannot get stranger, she feels an almighty shove and finds herself somewhere very different to her home in Bomaderry.
Lillian has begun her adventures in the Kingdoms and Empires series where magic, intrigue and a certain spurious character called Mr Turtlehaze follow her everywhere. Each time she experiences the shove she finds herself in another kingdom that costs her more of her gold coins, and where it falls upon Lillian to save someone from danger. Throughout her seemingly disconnected forays she encounters Shadow Mages, True Mages, Sparks, Hurtlings, Spellbinders and even a Queen – all creatures and people she has never met but who are somehow familiar. Lillian also meets the various members of the Mettlestone family who are brave, courageous, and kind. They will all play a key role in helping Lillian discover who – and what - she really is. This intriguing, character driven plot is like a puzzle, with each chapter disclosing another piece about Lillian and her time travels. Readers will be captivated from the very beginning by a fast paced, compelling, and intricate storyline that will have them on the edge of their seats anticipating the final, monumental revelation of Lillian’s secret. Kelly Canby’s colourful cover design and delightful black and white chapter illustrations with their Picasso-esque faces are the perfect complement to a wonderfully quirky and endearing story. Although this is Book 5 and I read it as a stand-alone, it only left me wanting to find out more about the wonderful worlds that came before this one, created by the talented Jaclyn Moriarty. This was my first venture into the Kingdoms and Empires series but it won’t be my last. Teaching themes could include magic, fantasy, quests, spells, humour, courage, resourcefulness, family, friends, belonging and love. Find out more about Jaclyn Moriarty Find out more about Kelly Canby Published by Allen & Unwin Release date: 31 October 2023 ISBN: 9781761067570 (HB) Highly recommended for ages 10 - 14 |
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