Early Childhood Book of the Year
Bear and Duck are Friends
by Sue deGennaro Publisher:Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing Publisher Link: Hardie Grant: Bear and Duck are Friends Author Link: Sue deGennaro website BLURB Bear and Duck are best friends, but they are very different. Duck likes to try new things, and Bear ... well, Bear likes not to. When Duck needs a friend for her dance class, Bear reluctantly agrees. Bear’s big size causes problems at first, but he soon discovers that he might just be a very good dancer. Bear and Duck is a story about friendship, confidence, and overcoming the fear of trying new things. Teaching Notes for this book Scholastic Australia |
Can You Teach a Fish to Climb a Tree?
by Jane Godwin Illustrated by: Terry Denton) Publisher:Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing Publisher Link: Hardie Grant: Can You Teach a Fish to Climb a Tree? Author Link: Jane Godwin website Illustrator Link: Terry Denton website BLURB 'Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.’ -- Albert Einstein (or not, as it turns out!) So… can a fish climb a tree? Can a horse drive a car? Can a baby bake a cake? And if they can’t, what wonderful things can they do? Teaching Notes for this book |
Grace and Mr Milligan
By Caz Goodwin Illustrated by Pip Kruger Publisher:Marshall Cavendish International Publisher Link: Marshall Cavendish: Grace and Mr Milligan Author Link: Caz Goodwin Illustrator Link: Pip Kruger website BLURB Grace lives next door to old Mr Milligan and his goat Charlie. They are the best of friends. But when Mr Milligan’s beloved goat dies, everything changes. Will Grace be able to help her friend overcome his sadness? Grace and Mr Milligan is a heart-warming story of grief, love and the healing power of friendship. Teaching Notes for this book Sprinkle Some Magic- Teachers pay teachers- $3.80 |
Gymnastica Fantastica!
by Briony Stewart Publisher:Lothian Children's Books, Hachette Publisher Link: Hachette: Gymnastica Fanstica! Author Link: Briony Stewart website BLURB Quick! Come and see! Something fabulous, it's . . . me! Join Gymnastica, a small person with big energy, as they bend and balance, bounce and roll, attempt a cartwheel and a spectacular trapeze flip-out finale. Gymnastica Fantastica! is a joyful and exuberant picture book about a child discovering and attempting new physical skills and putting on wonderfully imperfect shows for whoever will watch them. Teaching Notes for this book Hachette |
One Little Duck
by Katrina Germein Illustrated by Danny Snell Publisher:HarperCollins Publishers Publisher Link: HarperCollins Publishers: One Little Duck Author Link: Katrina Germein website Illustrator Link: Danny Snell website BLURB One little duck went out one day, over the hills and far away. Mother Duck said ... 'Moo Moo Moo Moo,' and Cow said, 'Wait! Now I'm coming too.' Oh no, Mother Duck has forgotten how to quack! Every day she tries a new barnyard call, and every night Little Duck returns with a new farm friend. A fun twist on the song Five Little Ducks. Teaching Notes for this book Harper Collins |
The Concrete Garden
Bob Graham Publisher:Walker Books Australia Publisher Link: Walker Books: The Concrete Garden Author Link: Bob Graham; Walker Books Australia BLURB After a cold, dark winter, doors opened. Children spilled out like sweets from a box. Amanda was last one out of the tower block. She brought some chalk with her. On every inch of the concrete outside, the children drew pictures of everything they could think of, from flowers and snails, to spaceships and queens. Before long, a beautiful and exotic garden spread out across the concrete. Teaching Notes for this book Lamont Books |
Picture Book of the Year
Bowerbird Blues
by Aura Parker Publisher:Scholastic Australia Publisher Link: Scholastic Australia: Bowerbird Blues Author Link: Aura Parker website BLURB I am a collector. Always looking, finding ... and keeping! Bowerbird loves BLUE. Magnificent colbalt. Brilliant, vibrant blue! But something is missing. What could it be? He has a longing and connection, that unfolds as the bowerbird's search sends him soaring across the sea, sky and city. He swoops and snatches vibrant treasures for his collection, and soon his bower a mix of natural and unnatural objects attracts something greater and more fulfilling than he could ever have imagined. Teaching Notes for this book Scholastic Australia Sprinkle Some Magic- Teachers pay teachers- $4.00 Twinkl - Bowerbird blues Link : Caring for Bowerbird homes game |
Every Night at Midnight
by Peter Cheong Publisher:Affirm Press Publisher Link: Affirm Press: Every Night at Midnight Author Link: Peter Cheong website BLURB Every night at midnight, Felix turns into a wolf. His hands and feet become velvety paws and he grows a long, bushy tail. Felix has the night-time world to himself. There's no one else like him. Felix isn't a wolf during the day, but it still feels like there's no one else like him. That's okay. Felix is just fine on his own. But after a chance encounter, this little lone wolf starts to wonder whether he might find his pack after all... Teaching Notes for this book Scholastic Australia Sprinkle Some Magic- Teachers pay teachers- $3.80 |
If I Was a Horse
by Sophie Blackall Publisher:Lothian Children's Books, Hachette Publisher Link: Hachette: If I was a Horse Author Link: Sophie Blackall website BLURB If I was a horse, I would gallop all day. I could go anywhere I want... If you were a horse, what would you do? Could you fit in your clothes? Would you give your little sister a ride? Would your brother even notice? Teaching Notes for this book Hachette Publishers Sprinkle Some Magic- Teachers pay teachers- $3.80 |
Paper-flower Girl
Mateja Jager (Text: Margrete Lamond) Publisher:Dirt Lane Press (WestWords imprint) Publisher Link: Dirt Lane Press: Paper-flower Girl Author Link: Mateja Jager website BLURB The Paper-flower Girl creates elaborate flowers out of paper, but she has few customers. When the Giant from the Hill brings her to work for him, they soon discover they want very different things. Before long, the Paper-flower Girl is forced to create things she no longer recognises as flowers. When the exasperated Giant throws her from the Hill, the Paper-flower Girl takes with her something belonging to the Giant, incorporates it into her elaborate flowers, and attains greater success than the Giant. This is a story about being prepared for the worst and hoping for the best. Teaching Notes for this book |
That Bird Has Arms
Ronojoy Ghosh & Niharika Hukku (Text: Kate Temple & Jol Temple) Publisher:Little Hare, Hardie Grant Egmont Publisher Link: Hardie Grant: That Bird Has Arms BLURB Roy is an ordinary bird in every way. He is not the biggest, or the smallest. His squawk is not the loudest or the quietest. He even follows the same football team as everyone else. He was very normal except for one thing – he has ARMS. Absolutely nobody knows – and Roy would like to keep it that way... That Bird Has Arms is a story about difference and identity. Teaching Notes for this book Sprinkle Some Magic- Teachers pay teachers- $3.60 |
Timeless
by Kelly Canby Publisher:Fremantle Press Publisher Link: Fremantle Press: Timeless Author Link: Kelly Canby website BLURB This vibrant new picture book by award-winning author and illustrator Kelly Canby is all about time - making it, losing it and subverting the whole darn concept. Emit (whose parents turned back time to name him) is surrounded by busyness. Dad is too busy to read stories, Mum is too busy to play games and Emit's brother and sister are simply too busy doing nothing to do anything, at all. Emit tries everything he can think of to get more time, he tries to catch it, wait for it, but it's not until Emit tries to buy some time that he learns the secret which is, if you want time, you have to make it. Teaching Notes for this book Fremantle Press Sprinkle Some Magic- Teachers pay teachers- $3.80 Author reads the story - video |
New Illustrator
Etta and the Shadow Taboo
by JM Field Illustrated by Jeremy Worrall Publisher:Bright Light: Hardie Grant Children's Publishing imprint Publisher Link: Hardie Grant: Etta and the Shadow Taboo Author Link: JM Field Illustrator link: Jeremy Worrall BLURB Where is theirs? And where is mine? To hurt a shadow Is surely a crime When Etta steps on Baawaa’s (her sister's) shadow, she learns of the Shadow Taboo, and learns to value the personal space of others, as well as her own. Written by Gamilaraay author JM Field and illustrated by Ngarabal/Gomeroi artist Jeremy Worrall, Etta and the Shadow Taboo will invite readers to follow a Gamilaraay tradition where one must avoid stepping on the shadows of others. Teaching Notes for this book Scholastic Australia |
Grace and Mr Milligan
By Caz Goodwin Illustrated by Pip Kruger Publisher:Marshall Cavendish International Publisher Link: Marshall Cavendish: Grace and Mr Milligan Author Link: Caz Goodwin Illustrator Link: Pip Kruger website BLURB Grace lives next door to old Mr Milligan and his goat Charlie. They are the best of friends. But when Mr Milligan’s beloved goat dies, everything changes. Will Grace be able to help her friend overcome his sadness? Grace and Mr Milligan is a heart-warming story of grief, love and the healing power of friendship. Teaching Notes for this book Sprinkle Some Magic- Teachers pay teachers- $3.80 |
Hope is the Thing
by Johanna Bell Illustrated by Erica Wagner Publisher:A & U Children Publisher Link: Allen and Unwin: Hope is the Thing Author Link: Johanna Bell Illustrator Link:Erica Wagner website BLURB A highly original, beautiful and deeply meaningful picture book that sees the marvellous and inspiring world of birds through the eyes of a child and celebrates birds' adaptability and ingenuity. Hope is a kookaburra singing the sun Hope is the emu learning to run … Let your imagination soar in this joyful ode to the world of birds and the healing power of nature. Sparked by the Emily Dickinson poem 'Hope is the thing with feathers'. Teaching Notes for this book Scholastic Australia Sprinkle Some Magic- Teachers pay teachers- $3.80 |
Phonobet
by Kathy Weeden Illustrated by Kim Drane Publisher:NLA Publishing Publisher Link: NLA Publishing: Phonobet Author Link: Kathy Weeden website Illustrator Link: Kim Drane website BLURB Come and meet the Phonobet, old Alpha Betty’s twin, The set of all the sounds you use when waggling your chin. Phonobet is a modern-day, Australian answer to Dr Seuss’s ABC. This very clever rhyming text takes an onomatopoeic romp through the 44 phonemes of Australian (and British) English, comparing sounds to trees, bees, trains, robots, monkeys, pirates and more. Teaching Notes for this book NLA Publishing Sprinkle Some Magic- Teachers pay teachers- $3.80 |
Sprinkle Some Magic- Teachers pay teachers- $3.80Raised by Moths
by Charlie Archbold Illustrated by Michelle Conn Publisher:MidnightSun Publishing Publisher Link: MidnightSun Publishing: Raised by Moths Author Link: Charlie Archbold website Illustrator Link: Michelle Conn website BLURB Willow jumps on the Ferris Wheel and is intrigued to see a boy surrounded by moths. As they travel high above the fairground he tells her the reason why the moths love him so much: he was raised by moths. Teaching Notes for this book Scholastic Australia Sprinkle Some Magic- Teachers pay teachers- $3.80 |
When You're a Boy
by Blake Nuto Publisher:Affirm Press Publisher Link: Affirm Press: Author/illustrator Link: Blake Nuto website BLURB A powerful and moving exploration of what it means to be a boy from an exciting new author-illustrator talent. When you're a boy you are told how to be like the white-roaring oceans. But I've learned the fierceness of flowers the glory of colour and the beauty of dreaming. Wander through forests, cross rivers and climb mountains in this powerful and moving exploration of what it means to be a boy. Teaching Notes for this book Affirm Press Sprinkle Some Magic- Teachers pay teachers- $3.80 |
Eve Pownall Award (non fiction)
Australia: Country of Colour
by Jess Racklyeft Publisher:Affirm Press Publisher Link: Affirm Press: Australia: Country of Colour Author Link: Jess Racklyeft website BLURB Bestselling creator Jess Racklyeft celebrates Australian animals, plants and landscapes through the lens of the colour wheel. With its vivid red dirt, big blue skies, wild green bushland and golden sandy beaches, Australia is a country of extraordinary colour. Here is a celebration of the stunning plants and animals of this colourful country, from vibrant pink Flame Peas to startling blue Fairy Wrens, electric yellow Billy Buttons, glossy black Tasmanian Devils, and many more. Come and take a closer look at nature's paintbox and the rainbow of life that lives in Australia, from one of our best-loved picture book creators. Teaching Notes for this book Lamont Teaching Notes Sprinkle Some Magic- Teachers pay teachers- $3.80 |
Country Town
by Isolde Martyn & Robyn Ridgeway (Illust: Louise Hogan) Publisher:Ford Street Publishing Publisher Link: Ford Street Publishing: Country Town Author Link: Isolde Martyn website Illustrator Link: Country Town book's website BLURB Happy times, sad times, boom times and gloom times! From the First Peoples’ camp at the river crossing in the 1820s through to Carols by Candlelight at the showground in today’s world, this is a decade by decade wonderfully illustrated story of a small country community. Teaching Notes for this book Ford Street Publishing Teaching Notes aligned with year 4, 5, 6 History and Geography. |
Eww Gross: Foul Facts and Putrid Pictures
by Dan Marshall Publisher:Lost the Plot; Pantera Press imprint Publisher Link: Pantera Press: Eww Gross Author Link: Dan Marshall website BLURB Get ready to discover just how gross our universe really is. Learn the foulest facts about space, Earth, humans, animals and science that have been tested by real scientists, and even do your own gross experiments. Meet your guide, Slimon, who loves all things rotten, revolting, despicable and downright disgusting. Rate the facts yourself using the grossometer! Did you know …
Teaching Notes for this book Pantera Press teaching notes |
Our Country: Where History Happened
by Mark Greenwood (Illust: Frané Lessac) Publisher:Walker Books Australia Publisher Link: Walker Books: Our Country: Where History Happened Author Link: Mark Greenwood website Illustrator Link: Frané Lessac website BLURB The second title in the OUR COUNTRY series, celebrating and contextualising the richness of Australia's history, and where it happened. In every corner of Australia, history happened. The pages of this book are a journey through tens of thousands of years. Our history is recorded in ancient rock art, in the flag flown at the Eureka Stockade, by Burke and Wills' tree. All around our coastline history unfolded in shipwrecks and ship arrivals. Sometimes tragic, often regrettable, always formative, history is commemorated from Tasmania and throughout the mainland at the sites of prisons and massacres. From the birthplace of a new federated nation at the beginning of the twentieth century in Sydney's Centennial Park to Eddie Mabo's struggle for acknowledgement of land rights in the 1990s, history happened all around Our Country. Teaching Notes for this book Walker Books Australia teaching notes |
Tamarra: A Story of Termites on Gurindji Country by
Violet Wadrill, Topsy Dodd Ngarnjal, Leah Leaman, Cecelia Edwards, Cassandra Algy, Felicity Meakins, Briony Barr, Gregory Crocetti Publisher:Hardie Grant Explore Publisher Link: Hardie Grant: Tamarra BLURB Tamarra: A Story of Termites on Gurindji Country is a fascinating, illustrated science book that takes kids inside the life of termites through storytelling from the Gurindji People. Did you know there are four types of termite poo? Or that a warm paste made from termite mound is used to strengthen a Gurindji baby’s body and spirit? Or that spinifex (which termites eat) is one of the strongest plants in the world? Created as a collaboration between over 30 First Nations and non-Indigenous contributors, the story and artworks explore how termites and their mounds connect different parts of Country, from tiny Gurindji babies and their loving grandmothers, to spiky spinifex plants growing in the hot sun. Written in traditional Gurindji, Gurindji Kriol and English (with a QR code to an audio version spoken in language), Tamarra is a truly original story with beautiful artwork that takes readers on an educational and cultural journey through Gurindji Country. Teaching Notes for this book Tamarra Notes |
This Book Thinks Ya Deadly! by
Corey Tutt (Illust: Molly Hunt) Publisher:Hardie Grant Explore Publisher Link: Hardie Grant: This Book Thinks Ya Deadly! Author Link: Deadly Science website Illustrator Link: Molly Hunt BLURB This Book Thinks Ya Deadly! is an inspirational, illustrated compendium that celebrates the diversity and success of First Nations People. Written by Corey Tutt, author of The First Scientists, this book features the profiles of more than 70 Blakfellas who are doing deadly things across sport, art, activism and science, through to politics, education and literature. It showcases the careers and Corey’s personal stories of First Nations People who have done great things in their respective fields, including Professor Marcia Langton, Miranda Tapsell, Tony Armstrong, Dr Anita Heiss, Danzal Baker (Baker Boy), Adam Goodes and Blak Douglas. Teaching Notes for this book |
Book of the Year: Younger Readers
Being Jimmy Baxter
by Fiona Lloyd Publisher:Puffin Books, Penguin Group (Australia) Publisher Link: Penguin: Being Jimmy Baxter Author Link: Fiona Lloyd website BLURB A gently funny yet powerful coming-of-age middle grade novel about surviving the odds, unlikely friendships and the magical music of Elvis. It's not eggsactly easy being Jimmy Baxter 'cause- The real Jimmy's hiding inside Ned Kelly's giving him the evil eye Mum's stopped going to work and stays in bed There's no eggs in the fridge - or anything else. AND there's new jobs, bad-at-school brains and a whole lot of trouble called Duke. But then . . . there's Mac. Teaching Notes for this book Penguin Random House |
Huda Was Here
by H. Hayek Publisher:A & U Children Publisher Link: Allen and Unwin: Huda was Here Author Link: H. Hayek website BLURB Huda hatches a bold plan to help her dad get a job - which lands her and her brother in all kinds of trouble. A delightful and hilarious story from a CBCA award-winning author, about a lion-hearted girl who just wants the best for her family. Huda yawns loudly and stretches out her arms. Almost like she's bored in science class and waiting for the bell to go for lunch. Except we're not at school, we're in police custody. Because of her stupid idea. When her dad loses his job as a security officer and has to work interstate, Huda convinces her brother Akeal to sneak out at night to make mischief, hoping to force their dad's bosses to hire him back. As their misdeeds escalate, will the daring duo be able to outsmart the authorities? How much are they willing to risk for family unity - and what else might they uncover along the way? A thoroughly entertaining story full of hijinks, courage and hilarity. Teaching Notes for this book |
Real Pigeons Flap Out
by Andrew McDonald (Illust: Ben Wood) Publisher:Hardie Grant Children's Publishing Publisher Link: Hardie Grant: Real Pigeons Flap Out Author Link: Andrew McDonald website Illustrator Link: Ben Wood website BLURB Ever wonder why pigeons always act so weird? It’s because they’re out there chasing the bad guys and saving your butts! The Real Pigeons love flapping around the city and fighting crime. But when lunches start mysteriously DISAPPEARING from tummies, a LOOK-ALIKE pigeon makes evil plans and a dangerous DOVE starts DESTROYING the city, the pigeons will need to use all the powers they have – and more! Can the Real Pigeons stick together through the chaos? Or will someone fly away for good? One thing is for sure: the squad will never be the same again! Teaching Notes for this book Hardie Grant teaching Notes Real Pigeons website |
Scar Town
by Tristan Bancks Publisher:Puffin Books, Penguin Group (Australia) Publisher Link: Penguin: Scar Town Author Link: Tristan Bancks website BLURB A missing father. A drowned town. A buried secret. Three friends on a dangerous mission to uncover the truth. Seven years after Old Scarborough was drowned, a house is emerging from the water. Will and his friends Dar and Juno dare each other to explore it. But when they find bones – and a stash of cash – they realise they’re not the only ones interested in its secrets. Now they’re fighting for their lives against the men who want what they found. Will can’t leave the mystery alone, though. What if the bones belong to his missing dad? A DANGEROUS JOURNEY TO UNCOVER THE TRUTH IN A TOWN THAT WANTS THE PAST TO STAY BURIED. Teaching Notes for this book Penguin Teaching Notes |
Scout and the Rescue Dogs
by Dianne Wolfer (Illust: Tony Flowers) Publisher:Walker Books Australia Publisher Link: Walker Books Australia: Scout and the Rescue Dogs Author Link: Dianne Wolfer website Illustrator Link: Tony Flowers website BLURB A celebration of community, adventure, kindness and, above all, dogs! The summer holidays have finally arrived and Scout can’t wait for her adventure in the big rig with Dad. They’re on a mission to deliver donations of dog food to animal rescue shelters right across the state.. There’ll be lots of music, dad-jokes and a brilliant plan that will make sure everyone’s got a friend for the holidays. There might even be a special four-legged friend in it for Scout.. But Scout and her dad get more than they’ve bargained for. It’s bushfire season – and it’s not just the dogs who need rescuing . . . Teaching Notes for this book |
The Sideways Orbit of Evie Hart
by Samera Kamaleddine Publisher:HarperCollins Publisher Link: HarperCollins: The Sideways Orbit of Evie Hart Author Link: Samera Kamaleddine website BLURB Friendship, family and feelings collide in this sparkling middle-grade debut from Matilda Prize winner, Samera Kamaleddine. Evie Hart likes rules. A lot. But as she embarks on her very last year of primary school, it feels like all the rules around her are being broken. When Evie's class starts learning about the Earth's place in the universe, it makes Evie think about her own place in the world and where she belongs. Which has her more worried than ever. When your mum writes a horoscope page for a living, it's hard not to think about what the future holds. Especially when she and the only dad Evie has ever known are acting like they're on different planets. But the more Evie learns about the sky and the stars, the more she learns that changes in the world can't always be controlled. And maybe that's not a bad thing. Teaching Notes for this book |