Country by Aunty Fay Muir and Sue Lawson illustrated by Cheryl Davison

Country is past, present, future.

Country is songs and stories, art and ceremony.

Country is earth and sky, moon and stars.

Country is waterholes, creeks and rivers. Ocean and beaches. ...

Country is all living creatures. ...

Country is all of us. Country is how we behave, how we care for each other.

Just after this book was published I was in a bookshop with a friend and she commented that she would love to have a piece of art from this book Country. That certainly made me take a closer look. 

Fast forward to October this year and I spied Country at our local charity book sale - for just AUS$3 (retail price AUS$25). And yes, once again the copy is in mint condition so now I am the happy owner of this very special book.

There is a detailed annotation for Country on the National Centre for Children's Literature Indigenous books database. 

Image source: Artessence Gallery

Here are some teachers notes from Lamont. If you subscribe to Story Box Library you could share this book as a video - but in my view you should explore the print book (slowly) first.

Aunty Fay Stewart-Muir is an Elder and Traditional Owner of Boon Wurrung Country. She is the senior linguist at the Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages in Melbourne. Fay is working with her own Boon Wurrung language, recording and putting language into the database for future and present generations. She presents language-related workshops to community members who are reclaiming their languages, as well as universities and TAFEs that are interested in understanding the many and challenging aspects of language reclamation. She also goes out to schools to educate the students about language and culture and to teach language. 

The images in this book are outstanding. The style employs the traditional dot style of indigenous art, with some additional flourishes. The palette is very earthy, black, white, oranges, reds, olive greens and browns. The depicted scenes vary from night time to ocean, to treetops with images of birds, fish, people, bats and other living creatures, giving readers a complete picture of what ‘country’ is.There is a quiet reverence that emanates from this book, and I can see it being used not just to learn about indigenous beliefs and culture, but also for mindfulness and connection. Reading Time

Other books by Aunty Fay Muir:

What the Sky Knows by Nike Bourke illustrated by Stella Danalis

 

My friend and I recently visited an enormous secondhand bookshop in the Southern NSW town of Berrigan. There were so many children's (and adult) book treasures. That is where I spied an old copy of What the Sky knows. Once upon a time this book was a library book (the date due slip is still inside) and it lived in Barooga which is near Berrigan - down on the Murray River.

I read this book to heaps of children in my former school library back in 2006 and twenty years later it has lingered with me (see my post from 2019). What the Sky Knows was published in 2005 and it was shortlisted in two categories for the CBCA’s Book of the Year (Early Childhood and Picture Book) in 2006. YES, I can heart you saying - but this book is long out of print and that is true - but I worry so much about our rush to find the newest book or newest thing or newest fad - which can mean older things like this scrumptious picture book are overlooked or lost in all the 'noise'. 

There are two things to notice about this book - one is the brief, but beautifully poetic text and the other is the retro-style collage illustrations. You can see the style of illustrations on this web page from Stella Danalis. 

I want to know what the sky knows

How to be blue

or grey

or pink

How to make clouds

or stars

Have tea with the angels

Hold the sun like an orange

or carry birds

I want to know how to make rain fall

or leaves dance

How to be so loud mum can hardly hear herself think

or so quiet she can't find me

I want to sail to the ends of the earth

And ride the wild winds home

If you can find this book in your school or local library it would be a wonderful text to use in an art lesson - you could share the text without the illustrations. Let the group work on their own creative images and then share the work by Stella Danalis. I would then share Mallee Sky as a contrasting text.

Bookseller blurb: This stunning picture book invites the reader to fly with birds and angels, float with clouds and balloons, to change colours, blow breezes and stir up storms. What the Sky Knows challenges the traditional way of reading picture and text. Stella Danalis has used visual tricks and jokes in a very contemporary manner which will immediately engage young readers. The illustrations are bright and vivacious, and like the text, full of imagination, curiosity and wonder. They make a strong initial impact through bold images and good use of primary colours. The variety of shades, patterns and textures, which are skillfully embedded within the pictures, create a collage effect. This additional detail contributes to the richness of the picture book and its ability to engage the reader. Follow a dreamer's journey through the vibrant landscapes of a child's world.

I think this might be the only picture book by Nike Bourke. Stella Danalis also illustrated Schumann the Shoeman.

2010 Shortlisted CBCA Picture Book of Year

IBBY Australia Mini Masterpiece art auction - Meet Judy Watson

 

Auction of 48 Mini Masterpiece art works runs from 14th - 28th November 2025

Judy was born in 1966 and grew up in an outdoorsy veterinary family, passionate about animals, art and books. She worked as a veterinary nurse while studying literature and art history at the University of Melbourne before travelling overseas. There she worked in a London theatre and painted in a garret in Brixton. After returning to Australia in 1995 she worked in revegetation and Landcare, whilst developing a graphic design business and found her way into children’s book illustration.   

Judy’s fine art practice typically incorporates mixed media techniques including printmaking and collage for her smaller pieces. But she also paints larger works in acrylics. These are often painted on found panels or upcycled surfaces.

Judy Watson has illustrated a number of children's books, including Goodnight Mice! by Frances Watts, which won the Prime Minister's Literary Award for Children's Fiction in 2012, Searching for Cicadas by Lesley Gibbes, shortlisted for the Eve Pownall Award for Information Books in the 2020 CBCA Book of the Year awards, and Leonard Doesn't Dance by Frances Watts which was selected by the International Youth Library for the White Ravens 2020 Catalogue. She lives and works in Frankston, Victoria. (Source Allen and Unwin).  Here is her Instagram page. 

When I was judging the CBCA Book of the Year award we were sent When You're Older and I just marveled at the colourful and lively illustrations. In fact, I loved this book so much that I gifted it to a young family with two little boys. Read the Kirkus review.

When you're Older

Here are edited comments by one of the judges:

The boldness of the design and illustration of the wrap around front cover grabbed me from the start. There were visual references to Elmer and Max from Where the Wild Things Are.  The body language of the bored and frustrated older sibling is captured so effortlessly. The shapes of the digital collage pieces have different textures and ratios of size (e.g. the squiggles on the baby suit are much finer than the pattern on the plant pot.) - this gives an illusion of depth and solidity of scene. This blue then turns to teal and peacock green on the following pages, but once again acts as a path or vein to follow across the pages.  All the other creatures and plants are highly patterned, but the dog has a very flat and plane shape and texture - linking him back to the reality of the opening scene. There is such movement on the opening with the seagulls hovering across the top of the page and the crab pincers up, stealing the hot chips. Judy Watson's use of texture for the water creates a sense of shimmering on the ocean. The negative space of the white used to create the glacier is quite extraordinary. The wild dogs pulling their sleds race across the page from left to right indicating a wildness of speed. The design of the binoculars framing the close up of the seal in ingenious. Simple yet sophisticated. 

Page from the French edition of When you're older (Source)

I have a beautiful art piece in my home from the book Thunderstorm Dancing. 

Blurb: When a sunny day at the beach turns stormy, a little girl runs for cover. Her daddy and brothers are wild in the wind and lightning, and her poppy is as loud as thunder. They fill the house with stamping and crashing while Granny plays piano to their riotous thunderstorm dancing, until the storm passes and they all fall down. Then, in the stillness, the girl is ready to play. What will she be, now that the rain has stopped and there's a glimmer of sunlight? Read more here

Now there is an opportunity to own another. Judy talks about our auction in a 13th November blog post and she has generously donated five pieces to our IBBY Australia Mini Masterpiece art auction. Here are two of them:

Faces at the pet parade

Unicorn at the pet parade

Judy Watson illustrated Searching for Cicadas for the Walker Nature Storybook series - this is a book that should be in every Australian library because Cicadas are such a quintessential part of our Australian Summer.

From the few book examples I have shared here you can see Judy Watson is a master of many forms of illustration. Here are more images of her work. Now take a look at another piece she has contributed to our auction (she has five pieces).

"Trent"

Description from Judy Watson: Trent is sometimes gloomy at parties. The music is not to his taste, or the tomato sauce runs out before he gets his hot dog, or the host’s children ask impertinent questions about his feet. (He’s sensitive about his feet.) When Trent is gloomy, he stands beside the door to the kitchen – not inside the kitchen where the lights are bright and people may ask him to help slice celery. It’s better just outside, where he can snatch a sausage roll off the tray at the moment it comes through the door. If someone speaks to him, he points to his beak and makes apologetic munching sounds.  But today Trent is not gloomy. He has eaten two hot dogs with an abundance of tomato sauce, and Madness are playing at just the right volume. Trent has taken over the dance floor in just the way he used to at kindergarten. Back then, the teacher scolded him for waving his wings about with a ‘total disregard for others’. Today there is no teacher, everyone else has shuffled back to the walls and Trent is the life of the party. 

Leonard doesn't dance

Blurb: All the birds are excited about the Big Beaky Bird Ball -- except Leonard. His warble-warble waltz with the magpies is more wobble-wobble, and his caw-caw can-can with the crows is a can't-can't. The puffins are prancing, the rosellas are rocking and you should see the flamingo go-go-go! Everyone is jumping and jiving, but not Leonard. Leonard doesn't dance. Then an unexpected encounter changes everything ...

Here is a new book illustrated by Judy Watson:

Read the Kids' Book Review review

Her newest picture book is Jo and the No by Kyle Mewburn. 

Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping by Craig Silvey

"How are you feeling?

Annie looks down.

Nobody looks back up at her.

Because there is a Runt-shaped hole in her world."

Recently Craig Silvey spoke at an event here in Sydney and a few days later I bought myself a copy of his new book (sequel to Runt). I started my reading that day but after just 31 pages I stopped. I first read Runt back in 2022 and since that time I have read hundreds of other books and so many small plot details from Runt have evaporated from my memory. Thank goodness the library where I work as a volunteer had a copy of Runt and so on Tuesday last week I revisited the first installment of Runt. With 342 pages, and a few detours into other books on my enormous to read pile, I finished Runt for the second time on Sunday morning. It is now Tuesday afternoon and I have just finished Runt the Diabolical Dognapping which has a whopping 406 pages. Readers do need knowledge of the first book about Runt to really appreciate all the twists and turns and motivations and drama of the second installment. 

Craig Silvey has done it again. He kept me reading and reading desperate to discover how all his disparate story elements could possibly reach that all important happy ending. This is also one of those books where the clock is ticking - Annie only has one month to win another competition and hopefully be reunited with her precious friend. 

This latest book is filled with heroes, tales of past deeds, deceptions, new friendships, puns, jokes, determination, and of course it culminates in another all-important dog competition. The story rips along because it stars Annie who we all adore from the first book but in this tale Runt is missing. As the title tells you - he has been dognapped. Of course, this new story does need a dog - we met this puppy at the end of the first book. She arrived with Bernadette Box - her name is Little Annie. Oh, and there is also a new competition - have you heard of this - it is called "dances with dogs" and yes, it is a real thing. Craig Silvey explained in his Sydney talk that he watched hundreds of hours of competitions so that he could include accurate details in his story.

BUT wait there is more to Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping. If you have read Runt you may have been left with a few questions - the answers to all of these and many more form the framework for the second book. I wonder if Craig Silvey is a plotter - did be map all his story threads out before writing his book?

Here are some of the questions that you might want answered (but there are lots more):

• Where was Runt before he met Annie?
• How did Runt learn to perform 'tricks'?
• What makes Runt such a loyal friend?
• Why does Runt adore Mush dog food?
• And there is question (spoiler maybe) about the real fate of the terrible villain - Earl Robert- Baron?

I love the cast of characters from Upson Downs. The policeman Detective Bayleaf reminded me of the bumbling policeman in the television show Doc Martin: Joe Penhale the local police officer in the town of Portwenn. The Mayor Barry Casserole made me think of the local politician Bill Heslop from Muriel's Wedding and also one of the pompous judges from Strictly Ballroom - Barry Fyfe with (in the movie) his silly toupee. It is easy to see that this second book is very cinematic - I know there is a movie of Runt and a play will be presented in 2026. After reading this second installment I'm sure there will be a second movie. 

In this book I also enjoyed all the puns, funny names with double meanings, foreshadowing, subplots, flashbacks and side stories, and the way Rupert Broadsheet sounds like he has swallowed a thesaurus. 

Another thing that Craig Silvey includes in his book are heaps of wonderful descriptions of clothing - they are all so 'over the top' and yet it is funny that at every author event Craig himself always wears the same plain long-sleeved navy tee shirt. Here are a few examples:

"Camilla is resplendent in a cream satin dress and a silver necklace. Doreen is vividly tropical in a teal polyester pantsuit, neon mango lipstick and polished brass seashell earrings. She has a fresh perm, a teased fringe and a voice like a started macaw."

"Barry wears a yellow shirt tucked into high brown shorts. His head is host to a thick and conspicuous toupee. His large glasses slide slowly down his nose, causing him to periodically scrunch his face in a manner that reminds Annie Shearer of a nervous rabbit."

"He wears a peach short-sleeved shirt, a eucalyptus green tie, mustard coloured shorts, white knee-high socks, black leather sandals and his official chain of office."

"The man wears a powder blue seersucker jacket, plum corduroy pants, a crisp cream shirt and leather loafers. He is tall, with ivory skin and a sensible haircut."

If you are looking for a fantastic present for a young reader why not buy both books about Runt. I adore their cover illustrations by Sara Acton, and the publisher has added a dust jacket which is a rare thing here in Australia, and the end papers are perfect and if you pop these two books side by side on your bookshelf they will look very impressive. Here is the Instagram account for Sara Acton where you can see some illustrations from the second book about Runt.  Note if you are in the US Runt has a different cover, title and a different illustrator. 

IBBY Australia are holding an online auction as a fund raiser. If you are reading this post in Australia between 14 and 28 November 2025 take a look at our Auction page. This is the illustration kindly donated to the auction by Sara Acton.

There is a link to the very detailed teaching notes on the publisher web page and also an interview with Craig Silvey and the notes also have some video links to explore.

Publisher blurb: Six weeks have passed since Annie Shearer and Runt competed valiantly at the Krumpets Dog Show. The town of Upson Downs is rejuvenated. The grass is green. The rivers are flowing. And a Tournament of Champions has just been announced, with the world's best canine talent invited to showcase their skills in the Grand Ballroom of the abandoned Robert-Barren estate. But as preparations for the event get underway, Runt mysteriously goes missing, and a trail of suspicious clues surround his doghouse. Annie's worst fears are confirmed when she discovers a ransom note with a peculiar demand: she must win it all to see her friend again. It's up to Annie and her brother Max – now an intrepid investigative reporter with the Upson Downs Speculator – to rescue Runt before it's too late.

This sequel also delivers in spades Silvey’s trademark sharp wordplay and clever wit. This story is a shining example of the power of unwavering kindness, selfless compassion and empathy. It illustrates how these virtues can be a catalyst for profound change to embrace the gift of second chances and experience life with a renewed purpose and richness. Reading Opens Doors

With a cleverly constructed plot, hilarious, corny characters, and more mysteries than you can shake a bone at, this sequel left me with warm fuzzies from top to toe. There are stories within the story which are wonderful themselves, which are then effortlessly woven into the heart wrenching finale. What Book Next

The Walker Treasury of First Rhymes

There are twenty-three rhymes, nursery rhymes, action rhymes, nonsense rhymes and poems in this small anthology. Many come from picture books such as a double page spread from Ten Little Fingers Ten Little toes illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. This book was also released with a different cover and title - The Walker Book of First Rhymes. 

The Walker Treasury of First Rhymes is from 1996 (my edition 2002) so it is out of print but I am talking about it here because this book is a perfect springboard to discover authors and illustrators - hopefully you already know lots of these names - but in my mind, in a family, if you do find this book you could make a list of the contributors and then take that list to your local library and find more books to share with your young reading companions. This also harks back to one of my topics this year - building your field knowledge. I have read that this book is the second in a series from Walker Books - there was also one filled with Animal stories; The Walker Book of Bear stories; and The Walker Book of Bedtime stories.

This is a very distorted picture of the contents:

Who is inside this book? There are lots of names I know really well. Creators who have written and illustrated books that I highly recommend:

Helen Craig is famous for her Angelina Ballerina book series. I also love her three books that begin with The Night of the Paper Bag monsters. 

Suzie and Alfred in The Night of the Paper Bag Monsters

Nicola Bayley has illustrated other nursery rhyme books, but my personal favourite is The Mousehole Cat.

Emma Chichester Clark has illustrated so many books but for this post I will mention her Blue Kangaroo series which are perfect to read aloud.

It was You Blue Kangaroo

Sarah Fox-Davies another illustrator whose work I love. Look for Little Beaver and the Echo.

Arnold Lobel this is one hugely famous name - think of Frog and Toad and his Little Bear series. I also own a wonderful poetry anthology with his illustrations.

Michael Foreman illustrates a wide range of books. You often see his work inside books by Michael Morpurgo. My own favourite is for slightly older readers:

War and Peas

Charlotte Voake - check out my recent Meet the Illustrator post.

Clara Vulliamy is the daughter of Shirley Hughes. She has created some terrific junior book series which I highly recommend you add to your school library such as Mango and Bambang and Dixie O'Day.

Mango and Bambang

Shirley Hughes - here is my tribute post.

Michael Rosen - you know him for so many books but probably his most famous is We're going on Bear hunt illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. And this year they have teamed up again to create another picture book together very reminiscent of the classic book by Pat Hutchins Don't forget the Bacon.

Helen Oxenbury - read more here. My favourites are the very old series about Tom and Pippo - if you ever find these hold them close - they are truly SO special and should never have gone out of print.

Catherine and Laurence Anholt have written over 200 books. You are certain to find some in your local library. 

Quentin Blake has written and illustrated over 500 books. Right now you can visit exhibitions of his work in Dorset UK, Salford UK and in Marseille in France! You have seen his work in books by Roald Dahl.

Nick Sharratt

Free Lunch by Rex Ogle

Ministers and priests and Buddhist monks and talk-show hosts—all those people who are supposed to be real smart and wise and stuff—always say dumb things like “Money isn’t everything,” or “The best things in life are free.” 

But they’re wrong. Money is everything. The best things in life aren’t free.

I hate Sam 'cause he beats Mom. I hate him even more for beating me. I hate Mom for beating me. And I hate her even more for going crazy all the time. I hate that they don’t have money. I hate that they always fight about not having money. I hate that all the kids at my school seem happy all the time. Sometimes I hate the whole world. Sometimes I don’t know who to hate. I guess, most of the time, I just hate myself.

Rex lives with his mum, her partner Sam and their son Ford. It is a home filled with violence, neglect and often there is no food. School is a refuge for Rex, but it is also a tough place with traps and rules. Thank goodness Rex does make a friend - I just wanted to hug this kid named Ethan. Ethan just accepts Rex - no judgement - only genuine kindness. His grandmother is also someone wonderful but sadly her daughter, Rex's mum utterly rejects her help and even throws away all clothes, toys and the groceries she brings on her visit.

Even though his situation is utterly dreadful Rex has intelligence and integrity. He does understand his mother, he tries to help her, and he would deny this, but he deeply cares about his much younger brother. I was sure Rex would make something more of his life - it is fantastic to read that he wants to succeed at school and while he knows others have a way better life than his I felt certain Rex would be okay. 

Here are some text quotes (note this book has strong language and explicit violence) - I really enjoyed taking this journey with Rex. I recommend this book for readers aged 13+. Free Lunch was published in 2020 and it is still available in paperback. There is a sticker on the front cover because this book won the YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Award.

It’s not just Mom’s fault—it’s mine too. I shouldn’t have raised my voice at her. I really do try to be a good kid, but sometimes I get so angry. Everything turns red. Feels like my blood is on fire and I’m going to puke or pass out or . . . I don’t know. Next thing I know, I’m screaming so hard. But that’s all I do is yell.

This year was supposed to be great. It’s only the first day, and everything is falling apart already. Yesterday, I was so excited. Now, I’m angry and pissed off and alone. All ’cause of . . . ’cause of what? I come to school with a black eye and have to beg for a free lunch. It’s bull crap. No one should have to ask for handouts. No one. Especially not kids. Now everyone knows I’m nothing but trailer trash.

I hate that Mom and Sam are in charge of me. Adults aren’t always smarter than kids. I’m always doing stuff that parents should do. Like hooking up the wires for the TV or the stereo, or jump-starting a car. That stuff is easy for me. Mom doesn’t even know how to make toast, and I can cook, like, twenty kinds of meals, even stuff without recipes. Plus, I know a bunch of facts ’cause I read a lot. I for sure know more than Sam. He can barely write a full sentence. Sometimes he has me fill out job applications for him. And I’m good at math. Mom has me double-check hers in her checkbook all the time.

Mom’s bedroom is empty except for the mattress and the box spring under it, and the metal frame under that. Some clothes are in the closet on wire hangers. There’s a fan in the corner. That’s it. No photos. No albums. No books. No jewelry box with a ballerina in it. No tin of little keepsakes. My mom doesn’t have anything.

I think about how we were homeless for one night, and that was awful. But now we have a roof over our head. And Sam and Mom never let us starve, even if we have to do without TV or a toaster for a little while. Mom didn’t sign me up for the Free Lunch Program to punish me. She did it so I could have food.

I guess I should have realised this book is a true story because the name of the author and the main character match, but it just didn't occur to me until I read the heart wrenching afterword.

Bookseller blurb: Instead of giving him lunch money, Rex’s mom has signed him up for free meals. As a poor kid in a wealthy school district, better-off kids crowd impatiently behind him as he tries to explain to the cashier that he’s on the free meal program. The lunch lady is hard of hearing, so Rex has to shout Free Lunch is the story of Rex’s efforts to navigate his first semester of sixth grade—who to sit with, not being able to join the football team, Halloween in a handmade costume, classmates and a teacher who take one look at him and decide he’s trouble—all while wearing secondhand clothes and being hungry. His mom and her boyfriend are out of work, and life at home is punctuated by outbursts of violence. Halfway through the semester, his family is evicted and ends up in government-subsidized housing in view of the school. Rex lingers at the end of last period every day until the buses have left, so no one will see where he lives. Unsparing and realistic, Free Lunch is a story of hardship threaded with hope and moments of grace. Rex’s voice is compelling and authentic, and Free Lunch is a true, timely, and essential work that illuminates the lived experience of poverty in America.

Ms Yingling has written a very thoughtful review of Free Lunch - please take the time to read it. 

A mighty portrait of poverty amid cruelty and optimism. Kirkus Star review

There is a rawness to Ogle’s writing, an honesty that shines on the page. His weaving in of hope makes reading this book possible, not leaving the reader to languish in the haunting and horrible world he writes of. That hope is vital for the character of Rex too, it keeps him making new friends, finding a way forward, and being willing to change himself to make his family better. Profoundly honest and full of heart, this book is one that all teachers and librarians need to read to understand the children they serve.  Waking Brain Cells

Here are some words from the author about his life:

The worst part of living like this is thinking as I did—that I was alone, that I was shameful, and that I had less worth because of the situations into which I was born. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. No child should feel alone. Or ashamed. Or worthless. They need to know that their circumstances are not their fault. ... No matter how bad your circumstances may seem, things can change. And until they do, no one can take away your most powerful gift—your ability to hope for the better.

Companion books:

The Other Shadow

Orbiting Jupiter

Gossamer

One for the Murphys

The Peach King by Inga Simpson illustrated by Tannya Harricks

"It was Little Peach who found their voice. Sing! Everyone sing! We all know the song!

Together the peach trees sang until they turned the wind around ... "

Little Peach Tree is a sapling in a vast orchard. They look up to the Peach King – a majestic tree standing proudly at the hill’s crown. Through the turning of seasons Little Peach Tree and the others in the grove sprout blossoms, fruit, then leaves and finally these leaves are blown away and the trees shiver through the colder winter months. Conditions are changing, though, and the people have to bring water to their precious trees. Just as the peaches are almost ready to harvest, a bushfire springs up and so all the fruits need to be gathered early. Meanwhile the Peach King stands to protect the orchard but there is nothing he can do to stop the fire.

"The Peach King leaned into the fire, spreading his branches wide - like a shield. The heat was fierce, his leaves shrivelled and crisped ... the Peach King was alight. Flames licked along his blackened branches, up into his crown."

Harricks’ sweeping, textured artwork deepens the sense of both beauty and impending loss. At the heart of this tale is courage: the Peach King’s sacrifice to shield the orchard and Little Peach Tree’s discovery of its own strength. Arts Review

Here are some other review comments.

Themes of stewardship and resilience are evident throughout, as well as an opportunity for research into the actual natural processes of renewal for certain types of trees after a fire. The fable echoes a long history of stories about youngsters rising to heroic royal ranks, whilst being distinctly Australian in its depiction of the flora and fauna, and the scourge of bush fires. The use of the peach seems to unite these narrative elements – like a nod to European fairytales as well as Australian farming. Storylinks

Check out the details of our IBBY art auction - we have two pieces of art from The Peach King - you could own a very special illustration from this new Australian Picture book. (see bottom of this post).

In many parts of the world (including Australia) we are feeling the devastating effects of climate change. Drought, bushfires and wild storms. These conditions are especially difficult for the people who grow our food. In this book the focus is a peach orchid. It is summer in Australia from December onwards and this is when we all enjoy delicious stone fruits like peaches, apricots, plums, nectarines and cherries. The Peach King is a fable but if you share this book with a group of readers in your library aged 9+ I would begin by talking about peach trees - and make sure you stop and look at the peach-filled end papers in The Peach King. You could also talk about tree life cycles and deciduous trees.

• Peach trees typically start producing fruit within three to four years after planting, depending on various factors such as variety and care.
• Factors influencing production include the type of peach tree, climate conditions, and overall maintenance practices, such as watering and fertilization.
• Younger peach trees may yield limited fruit, while mature trees (four to twelve years old) can produce significantly higher amounts, reaching up to 65kg annually.
• Regular pruning and fertilizing are crucial for maximizing fruit quality and tree health, especially during the early years of growth.
• Peach trees have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years, providing fruitful harvests if maintained properly throughout their life.

Publisher blurb (Lothian): When Little Peach Tree was just a sapling, all they could see was row upon row of other peach trees. And, on top of the hill, watching over the orchard - the Peach King. As seasons pass, bringing cycles of change, Little Peach Tree grows and grows. But darker changes are stirring. Soon rain is scarce, the forests turn brown, animals flee and the sky turns red. To protect the orchard, the Peach King faces grave danger and Little Peach Tree must find their voice.

Here are the teachers resources. It is also important to share the end note from this book where we read that Inga Simpson lived through the terrible bushfires of 2019-2020 and she did purchase a box of Araluen peaches which she later learnt were indeed picked just ahead of the fire.

"Spring came with a rush. Sap surging, buds budding, growing in spurts. The older trees seemed sooo slow to Little Peach, whose limbs were buried in blossom, like a coat of tiny roses."

 

The teacher's notes mention this book - I am very keen to read it:

This is not exactly related but I recently read this wonderful Middle Grade novel which featured a peach tree.

The Peach Thief

Here is a video on Instagram of Tannya Harricks painting the peach tree. And you can hear a reading of this book here.

Tannya Harricks has two beautiful original art works in our IBBY Mini Masterpiece art auction which begins this week! And both are from her new book The Peach King.

I am a HUGE fan of Tannya Harricks illustrations and art. Here are some of her books I have previously explored here:

Mallee Sky

Kookaburra

Night Watch

Inga Simpson is an Australian novelist and nature writer. She began her career as a professional writer for government before gaining a PhD in creative writing. In 2011, she took part in the Queensland Writers Centre Manuscript Development Program and, as a result, Hachette Australia published her first novel, Mr Wigg, in 2013. Inga has since gained a second PhD, in English literature, which examined the history of Australian nature writing. Her most recent adult title is The Thinning (2024: Hachette Australia | June 2025: Little Brown, UK) and her previous children's title is The Book of Australian Trees, illustrated by Alicia Rogerson (2021: Lothian). The Peach Tree story is mentioned in her adult novel Mr Wigg.