My late July and August reading pile

The books at the top of this post are some of the Kindle titles I will read on my way to the IBBY Congress in Ottawa.

I have finished My So-Called Family, but it is such a harrowing story I need to wait a while before I talk about it here. I found it because I read Strays also by Gia Gordon. I wanted to read another book by Chanel Miller because I loved/adored Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All. And I have read two books in the series by Kelly Yang: Front desk and Three Keys. 

I don't pen these posts every month. Perusing my last one, which was my April list, there are a few I still haven't read - Rima's Rebellion by Margarita Engle; The Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon; and My Sweet Orange Tree by Jose Mauro de Vasconcelos.

I am about to finish the third book in the Callers series by Kiah Thomas - 'The Journey Home'. I will talk about the second book over the coming days. 

Other books on my 'to read' pile are:

The Magician's Nephew by CS Lewis

This is a re-read book - I have a plan to read this whole series again. The Magician's Nephew was published in 1955 and is considered a prequel to the series - I was gifted The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe as a young child. I picked this book up from a charity book fair.

Bookseller blurb: One touch of a magical ring sends two friends hurtling into another world and accidentally releases an evil sorceress from her enchanted sleep. Hungry for ultimate power, she's determined to destroy everyone - and every world - in her path. But a song from the Great Lion, Aslan, awakens a new hope and a new world: Narnia, where anything is possible. And this is only the start of the adventure. The Magician's Nephew is the first book in C. S. Lewis's classic fantasy series, The Chronicles of Narnia, which has captivated readers of all ages with a magical land and unforgettable characters for over seventy-five years. This is a stand-alone novel, but if you would like to journey through the wardrobe and back to Narnia, read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the second book in The Chronicles of Narnia, the greatest epic fantasy series of all time.

The Shrapnel Boys by Jenny Pearson

Publisher (Usborne Books) blurb: When war comes to London in 1939, Ronnie Smith is scared and excited: scared of the bombs that fall at night, but excited to race his friends to collect the best bits of shrapnel every morning. But for Ronnie, the battles aren't just in the sky and on the streets. They're at school and at home too. His little brother is up to no good with a secret job and dangerous new friends, and Ronnie's worried he's getting himself into big trouble. Ronnie's desperate to help his little brother. But he isn't expecting to uncover secrets that could change the fate of the whole war...

Little Bones by Sandy Bigna

I have already read this book back in 2025 but recently a bookseller told me she is sure this will win a prize in our CBCA Book of the Year awards. I gave this book four stars back then - mainly because I felt I had read this plot previously in other books (but of course young readers will not have that experience). Take a look at my previous post. 

Wolf Road by Alice Roberts

I picked this up at a recent charity book sale (AUS$3) because I do enjoy survival stories and I enjoy books set in prehistoric times (Wolf Brother Michelle Paver and sequels; The Cave Victor Kelleher; Tarin of the Mammoths by Jo Sandhu).

Publisher blurb: Tuuli is a prehistoric girl, travelling with her tribe through the seasons – making camp, hunting for food and protecting themselves against the many hazards that the climate throws at them. Tuuli knows there’s a bigger world out there, and when she spots a strange boy lurking outside their camp, she realises that he might hold the adventure she is looking for. He is from another tribe, sent to find safer ground and as he and Tuuli strike up an unlikely friendship, they set out on a journey that will impact the rest of human history. 

Horses of the Dawn: Star Rise by Kathryn Lasky

I am not usually drawn to books about horses but many years ago I read Guardians of Ga’Hoole by Kathryn Lasky and more recently I read Faceless and The Secret of Glendunny. I am going to wait before reading this one because I didn't realise it was book 2 in the series - the first one is 'The Escape'. 

Blurb from author page: The first horses in the New World, Estrella and her herd, were carried across the sea by gold-seeking men, only to be cast into the ocean when the ship became too heavy. Yet despite the odds, the horses did survive and became the first herd to run wild across this untamed land. But now, they're facing their greatest challenge yet. An army is pursuing the herd, eager to force them back into captivity and hard labor. Estrella wants nothing to do with men ever again, but then she meets a boy who's been exiled from his village- a child with a mysterious ability to communicate with animals. If Estrella rejects the boy, he will surely die alone in the wilderness. But if she takes him in, she'll put the other horses at risk. With their hard-won freedom slipping away at every turn, Estrella must decide what it means to be a leader ... and what it means to be a herd. 

Hamlet is not Okay by RA Spratt

I really enjoyed a previous book by RA Spratt - Romeo vs Juliet and Rachel Robson at Gleebooks enthusiastically recommended this earlier book also based on a Shakespeare play. I saw it at the charity book fair for only AUS$2.

Publisher blurb: Selby hates homework. She would rather watch TV – anything to escape the tedium of school, her parents’ bookshop and small-town busybodies. So, Selby didn’t plan to read Hamlet. She certainly never planned to meet him. This novel transports Selby, and the reader, into the cold and crime-ridden play itself. Here she meets Hamlet: heavy with grief, the young prince is overthinking and over everything. Selby can relate. But unlike Hamlet, Selby isn’t afraid of making decisions. In her world, Selby is used to feeling overlooked. But in the bloody, backstabbing world of Shakespeare, Selby’s good conscience and quiet courage might just save some lives . . . hopefully before Hamlet stabs one of her classmates.

A Wolf Spell by Karah Sutton

Yes, I did pick up another book with a wolf on the cover at the charity book sale! Here is the Kirkus review (the reviewer didn't love this book).

Publisher blurb: Since she was a pup, Zima has been taught to fear humans - especially witches - but when her family is threatened, she has no choice but to seek help from the witch Baba Yaga. Baba Yaga never does magic for free, but it just so happens that she needs a wolf's keen nose for a secret plan she's brewing . . . Before Zima knows what's happening, the witch has cast a switching spell and run off into the woods, while Zima is left behind in Baba Yaga's hut--and Baba Yaga's body! Meanwhile, a young village girl named Nadya is also seeking the witch's help, and when she meets Zima (in Baba Yaga's form), they discover that they face a common enemy. With danger closing in, Zima must unite the wolves, the witches and the villagers against an evil that threatens them all.

BOOKS SUPPLIED FOR REVIEW

The Lost Island by Samantha Wheeler illustrated by Anke Noack (210 pages)

I previously read Everything I've never Said by Samantha Wheeler. This is new book from UQP due for publication on 4th August.

Publisher blurb: Theo thinks there’s nothing worse than being stuck on a Pacific cruise with his dad, new stepmum and annoying stepsister. But when he’s thrown overboard during a storm and washes up on a desert island, he suddenly has much bigger problems. As Theo tackles castaway life – finding food, water and shelter – he discovers the island is full of mysteries: spooky noises, possible ghosts and the strangest birds he’s ever seen. With survival getting tougher by the day and no rescue in sight, Theo is desperate to get back to his family. But to escape the island, he must first unlock its secrets – and reckon with the power of nature.

Game of Pets by Aaron Blabey (Advance copy from Gleebooks) Book One: The boy who knew too much.  Due for publication September 2026 Here is the web page for Aaron Blabey.

Publisher blurb: OK, here's the situation: Thanks to a diabolical intergalactic game show, we are all cooked. Luckily, Griff, an 11-year-old kid with innumerable allergies, just got told by a talking axolotl named Bob that Griff is the only one who can save us. I mean, that's kind of good news, right? Trouble is, Bob's prophecy comes with a warning: 'Watch your back, man . . . your PETS are not what they seem . . .' Prepare to have your mind blown and your cats and dogs under heavy suspicion. It's time to buckle up for an insane, laugh-out-loud new series, 260 million years in the making . . .

Otis Ottley and the school in the sky by Will Kostakis Due for publication September 2026.

I have started reading this book. The premise feels a little like Harry Potter. I am enjoying the complex writing and rich vocabulary.

Blurb from author page: Otis Ottley lives in the shadow of the Manor School for Magic. Literally. It’s an island hovering over his town, and he’s determined to reach it. While many kids dream of roaming the prestigious institution’s halls, casting spells and conjuring spectacles, Otis has a very specific mission: to seek magical help remembering something very, very important. The odds are stacked against him, but Otis will break into magic school. Or at the very least, he will break a few rules trying.

The Alligator's Mouth Award

The Alligator's Mouth is a bookshop in Richmond, Surrey UK. One day I hope to visit this shop which is filled with a rich collection of children's books. 

The Alligator’s Mouth Award was founded in 2018 by specialist children’s bookshop The Alligator’s Mouth in partnership with The Bright Agency. The aim of the award is to champion and celebrate highly-illustrated fiction titles for 6–8-year-olds – an important, and often overlooked, category of books that helps children build reading stamina and gain confidence at a crucial stage of their reading journey.

These shortlisted titles and winners' lists are very useful if you are looking for titles to add to your library. The library where I volunteer has nearly all of these books and many are very popular choices with the students.

Here is the current short list and some previous lists:

2026 Winner Bear and Bird: The Secret and other stories

• Bear and Bird: The Secret and Other Stories written and illustrated by Jarvis (Walker)
• Beastie Bros: The Cabbage Juice Crime written and illustrated by David O’Connell (Scholastic)
• Cat and Dumpling: Home Sweet Home written and illustrated by Nicola Kent (OUP)
• Croaky: Caverns of the Gemosaurus written and illustrated by Matty Long (OUP)
• Good Bits written by Kes Gray and illustrated by Ruby Wright (DK flip, DK Children's)

Read more about the Rabbit and Bear series

Read about Huxley and Flapjack

Read about The Girl who talked to trees

Read about the Claude series

Read about Harry Stevenson

Read about Hotel Flamingo

Read about Two Sides

Bank Street Books - The Best of 2025

Best books published in 2025 - AND yes there are some Australian titles - congratulations.

In evaluating books for their literary merit, the Bank Street Children’s Book Committee (CBC) recognizes the importance of diversity in children’s literature and acknowledges and celebrates the voices and cultures of all of our readers. Diversity encompasses the varied and unique identities, experiences, perspectives, and cultural communities of a book’s main and supporting characters, whose attributes include (but are not limited to):

• race  

• ethnicity 

• gender 

• abilities 

• sexuality

• class

• religion

• family structure

• local and global challenges

All children benefit from seeing themselves reflected in what they read, and from seeing characters with different identities, depicted accurately and without stereotypes, in texts and/or illustrations. The CBC values representations of characters who are change agents and advocates for social justice, inclusivity, and equity.

TIPS FOR READING WITH CHILDREN

• Show how much you enjoy reading along with your child.

• Discuss your reading together.

• If your child is willing, don’t stop reading aloud to them, even when they can read independently.

• Encourage your child to choose books to read aloud to someone else.

• Help your child to select books from a wide range of subjects, formats, and genres.

• Encourage your child to read, and reread, whatever they enjoy, even if it appears to be too easy or too hard.

• Find time for your child to visit and browse in libraries and bookstores.

• Let your child see you enjoying your own reading

You can see the whole list here. Or from a link here. 

AUSTRALIAN titles (I didn't look through the YA list):

Emmie Builds Something New written and illustrated by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall

A plucky mouse tinkers with wondrous mechanical inventions to scare off a newly arrived house cat. 

Bright, energetic drawings bursting with detail. 

Drop Bear by Phil Bunting

A koala’s tendency to apparently fall out of trees starts being wrongly attributed to bad intentions. What 

will stop the rumor mill? Humorous gouache, digital collage, and duct tape illustrations.

Found You! by Jane Godwin, illustrated by Sylvia Morris Note title change 'The Best Hiding Place'

Soft, tender illustrations depict a boy’s worry when the other children take too long to locate him during hideand-seek—and his relief at finally being found.

Afloat Kirli Saunders illustrated by Freya Blackwood

An Elder and a child gather people from many cultures together as they explore weaving in a changing world. A metaphorical tale of unity. Haunting mixed-media illustrations.

One Day a Mayfly by Shirley Marr, illustrated by Michael Speechley Note title change

A mayfly nymph emerges as an adult with only 24 hours to live and spends that time in discovery, wonder, and joy. Inviting pencil, ink, and gouache illustrations.

Dawn by Marc Martin

See the world come alive as the sun rises and animals, insects, and flowers greet the day. Spare text and 

elaborate watercolor, pencil, and digital illustrations.

Chickenpox by Remy Lai

When Abby, 12, and her younger siblings get the chickenpox at the same time, mayhem ensues. Clear, 

colorful illustrations. Based on the author’s childhood experience.

Evie and Rhino by Nerida McMullin

Evie bonds with shipwrecked Rhino, but he belongs to the Royal Melbourne Zoological Society. Can she keep him? Detailed grayscale illustrations.

Into the Bewilderness: A Graphic Novel written and illustrated by Gus Gordon

Luis the bear and Pablo the mole leave their cabin in the woods for an adventure in the Big City. Things 

don’t go exactly as planned. Soft clear artwork.

The Unlikely Heroes Club by Kate Foster

During spring break, Oli must attend daily socialization classes for autistic kids. Rescuing a stray dog provides unexpected opportunities for collaboration and friendship.

I also spied Every Monday Mabel; Island Storm illustrated by Sydney Smith; Pop goes the Nursery Rhyme by Betsy Bird; Odder; Orris and Timble; Bear and Bird; Don't trust fish; His fairytale Life by Jane Yolen; The House on the Canal; Lost Evangeline; The Forest of a Thousand eyes; Tyger; and The Endless sea.

On the 12-14 list I have read The Burning Season; All the Blues in the Sky; Busted; The Trouble with Heroes; Impossible Creatures (Book one and Two); Candle Island; Max in the Land of lies; and The Experiment. Pop a title in my search bar to read more.  

The Beautiful Layers of me by Sophia Payne illustrated by Ruchi Mhasne

Blurb: Aunty is getting married! Ameena feels beautiful in her new salwar kameez. But when someone comments on her 'pyjamas', Ameena is suddenly a bit less sure about her traditional dress.

Ameena’s emotional twists and turns feel authentic and relatable, and her eventual pride in her outfit—and, by extension, her identity—will resonate with young people. In Mhasane’s tidily composed illustrations, the brown-skinned family’s bright ensembles pop against the relatively subdued backgrounds. Babu’s words—“These clothes are a part of our heritage”—hearten Ameena and will do the same for readers ... Kirkus

Payne does a wonderful job highlighting the inner conflict of identity in America, where one’s family and heritage are often viewed as “other” to white Americans.  Ameena initially hesitates to embrace what she truly finds beautiful because of the judgment of someone who doesn’t understand. With the support of those who do, she honors herself and takes pride in what she knows is right. The story is beautiful and tender, and while it is clearly written and centered for young Indian girls, it also serves as a good lesson for those outside of this culture. YS Book reviews

I do hope you can find, read and appreciate this book. I discovered it in the library where I work as a volunteer. The talented Teacher-Librarian uses international (and national) book lists and book awards to build her rich library collection. One of these lists is Inclusive Books for Children.

The judges said: For its sensitive and powerful exploration of belonging, cultural identity and difference, showing how children can embrace all parts of themselves. Its warm, gentle illustrations, rich narrative depth and “quiet power” were seen as emotionally resonant, educationally valuable and accessible to a wide range of children.

You will need a box of tissues when you read The Beautiful Layers of me. And I love the way this book can be both a mirror and a window. It could also be a fantastic way to talk about the power of words to harm but also heal. Take a look at my Pinterest collection called "She looks like me". 

If you are reading this book to a group in your school library you might like to talk about the salwar kameez worn by Ameena:

A salwar kameez is a traditional outfit originating from the Indian subcontinent, cherished for its comfort and elegance. It consists of three main parts: the kameez, a long tunic; the salwar, a pair of loose-fitting trousers; and often a dupatta, a matching long scarf. Widely worn in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, this versatile ensemble can be styled for everything from daily errands to formal weddings, making it a staple in wardrobes worldwide. 

• Kameez (The Tunic): This is the top part of the outfit. A kameez can vary in length from hip-length to ankle-length and comes in a multitude of cuts, necklines, and sleeve styles. 
• Salwar (The Trousers): These are the pants worn under the kameez. The traditional salwar is pleated and voluminous at the top, tapering to a narrow cuff at the ankle. However, this component has many modern variations. 
• Dupatta (The Scarf): A long, rectangular scarf, the dupatta adds a layer of grace and can be styled in numerous ways draped over one shoulder, both shoulders, or used as a head covering. While integral to traditional sets, some contemporary styles are worn without one. 

You can see more books by Sophia Payne here. Read this review from Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books.

Here are other books illustrated by Ruchi Mhasane:

About Ruchi Mhasane: I'm an artist from India who has studied illustration at the Cambridge School of Art. I have always drawn pictures, but after my MA in Children's Book Illustration, I've realised that visual narratives are a form that I enjoy immensely and am very comfortable with. I love drawing figures, especially children, and I enjoy capturing their movements and gestures. I am now committed to a lifelong study of the form of a picture book, and to developing the way a book talks to a child (or even adult!) I hope to work on books with meaningful content that will delight and inspire young children, so they too can fall in love with books the way so many of us have.

Companion books:

Amma's Sari

Panda Book Awards 2026

For background reading you might begin with my previous post about the Panda Awards. 

Here are the 2026-27 Nominees (English language texts);

Read my post about Spiro

Read my post about Every Night a Midnight

Read my posts about Magnolia Wu unfolds it all; Grimwood; and The Midwatch 

(Midwatch has a different title and cover here in Australia).

Read my posts about The Wrong Shoes; and Huda was Here.

Read my posts about Floof; and The Mona Lisa Vanishes

I also have a post about In a Jar by Deborah Marcero

KOALA and YABBA awards short lists 2026

KOALA Awards and YABBA Awards

I am going to focus on the Picture Book short list and the Years 7-9 because these categories include books I have read. You might like to check out two previous posts (KOALA 2022) and (KOALA 2024).

PICTURE BOOKS

Bigfoot vs. Yeti: A Love Story by James Foley

Bob and Dob by Sean E Avery

Dropbear by Philip Bunting

Emmie Builds Something New by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall

Happy Barry Capybara: Gone Bananas by James Foley

Mum for Sale by Zannie Louise and Philip Bunting

O.M.G: Oh My G.O.A.T! (G.O.A.T #3) by Kate and Jol Temple, and Rebel Challenger

Shmoof by Heidi McKinnon (you must also read Floof)

Spiro by Anna McGregor

Valerie: Australia's Bravest Sausage Dog by Lucinda Gifford

FICTION YEARS 7-9 (Many of these will appeal to readers in Grades 5 and 6 in Primary)

Andromache Between Worlds (Andromache #1) by Gabriel Bergmoser

Drift by Pip Harry

The Midwatch by Judith Rossell (In the US this book has a different title and a different cover)

Respawn (Villain Book #2) by Adrian Beck

Romeo v Juliet by R.A. Spratt (blog post coming soon)

Run by Sarah Armstrong

Silver Linings by Katrina Nannestad

The 113th Assistant Librarian by Stuart Wilson

Villain by Adrian Beck

Waiting for the Storks by Katrina Nannestad

Details of the other shortlisted titles can be found here. I previously also talked about The Wicked Ship (Oceanforged #1); and Mim and the Baffling Bully. 

KOALA and YABBA part of the REAL Awards along with CROC from Darwin. REAL stands for Reading and Enjoying Children's Australian Literature. 

The DANZ Awards Longlist 2026

The DANZ Awards celebrate diverse children’s fiction published in Australia and New Zealand, honouring books that challenge stereotypes, push boundaries, and highlight diverse and marginalised communities, including those representing disability, culture, LGBTQI+, race and religion. 

The ASLA DANZ Awards aim to encourage inclusivity and spotlight authentic representation, providing marginalised voices with recognition and support. They also aims to influence book-buyers and educators to prioritise such works. The awards spotlight the wonderful books which provide mirrors, windows and sliding doors into different lives, and build empathy and understanding of people from all walks of life. 

PICTURE BOOK LONGLIST

From this list I have talked about

Bapa's Last Canoe; A Lemon for Safiya; and The Truck Cat

CHAPTER BOOK LONGLIST

MIDDLE GRADE LONGLIST

From this list I have talked about

The Silken Thread