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I was drawn to this book immediately because I love David Miller’s artwork. His colourful paper sculptures are amazing. And in Millie’s Special Something, David’s artwork works so well with Tania Cox’s simple cumulative text. Big, bad Reggie loves to scare Millie. It’s fun. But not for Millie. It’s frightening! Her friends each have a [...]

Jake’s Concert Horror is the latest in the adventures of an engaging character created by Ken Spillman. Jake’s previous adventures include Jake’s Gigantic List, Jake’s Monster Mess, Jake’s Great Game and Jake’s Balloon Blast. A school concert sounds like FUN. Jake could scamper across the stage in a monkey suit. He could CLASEH swords with [...]

Queen of the Night is the follow up book to Leanne Hall’s award winning, This is  Shyness. The dark is dangerous. So is the past. So are your dreams. For six months Nia—Wildgirl—has tried to forget Wolfboy, the mysterious boy she spent one night with in Shyness—the boy who said he’d call her back but [...]

Professor Fred Hollows is the latest book in New Frontier’s inspiring Aussie Heroes Series. According to the late Professor Fred Hollows “Three out of four people who are blind don’t have to be. They are blinded by poverty alone.” Popular author, Hazel Edwards takes us through the life of this inspiring man and his amazing [...]

After two years blogging for Boomerang Books at the Kids’ Book Caper’s blog, it’s time for me to say, “Goodbye”. I’ve had a blast, read shelves full of fabulous books and met many amazing creators. I’m going to be sad to leave, but I’ve realised recently that it’s time for me to spend more time [...]

Raven Lucas – Missing is the first book in a new 3 part mystery series by popular Australian children’s author, Christine Harris. Raven Lucas appears to have everything. But something is missing form her life. Her father. He has disappeared, suddenly, mysteriously, with no words of goodbye. Has he simply left his family and didn’t [...]

Transfer Student takes the reader on a spellbinding journey into the lives of  popular earth-dwelling high school student Ashley, and Rhoe from the amazing planet Retha. When Ashley looks into a telescope, her life is changed forever. I think of my Aunt Jenny. I make my very first wish upon that beautiful, very hypnotic star. [...]

Sam the Cat is a picture book written by Sam Bowring and illustrated by Andrew McLean. It’s based on a true story, and even though at the end you’re asking yourself, “Did that really happen?”, you know that it must have because the story is too bizarre for someone to make it up. Sam lives [...]

All Monkeys Love Bananas by Sean E Avery is a truly unique picture book. Sean is a Western Australian Graphic designer, author, sculptor and illustrator whose artwork is featured both here and in the USA. Sean commenced work at the ripe young age of 12 with his own Sunday column in the local paper. He [...]

Tania McCartney has a wonderful new book published by the National Library of Australia. Australian Story, an illustrated timeline is a pictorial and textual delight. Did you know that Indigenous people arrived in Australia between 40,000 and 65,000 years ago? Or that Mount Gambier was the last volcano to erupt on the Australian mainland, or [...]

Today, award-winning author, Sally Murphy is visiting Kids’ Book Capers to talk about the inspiration behind her latest book, Do Not Forget Australia. Ideas for stories can come from anywhere. In the past I’ve been inspired by a humorous word combination (Head Hog), a poem out of the blue (Pearl Verses the World) and a [...]

This is the second part in our series of posts about the publishers – the people who make the books we read. Today we feature HarperCollins, publisher of many well-loved books for children and young adults. Melanie Saward from HarperCollins talks about the company and the wonderful books they are publishing. What kind of books [...]

Blood Runner is a thought provoking new novel by James Riordan about courage, hope and the strength of the human spirit. Samuel’s parents and sister die in a bloody massacre. His brothers retaliate by joining the anti-Apartheid movement, with guns and terrorism as their weapons. But Sam decided to fight prejudice in his own way [...]

Ladder to the Moon is written by US President, Barack Obama’s sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng. It is a magical tribute to their mother. The title comes from a postcard of the 1958 Georgia O’Keefe painting, Ladder to the Moon. In this beautiful picture book, the text and illustrations work as one. Illustrator, Yuyi Morales talks about [...]

2012 is the National Year of Reading. So at Kids’ Book Capers we’ve decided to profile the people who make the books we love to read – the publishers. Our first profile is Ford Street Publishing and today we welcome Paul Collins. What kind of books do you publish? Picture books through to young adult [...]

Sam Tully eyed the brumbies at the muster in the park and among them as they galloped he saw one that stood apart… a stallion, black as midnight, on his brow a jagged blaze. A gallant horse, a midnight horse, a horse called Lightning Jack Lightning Jack is a the gorgeous new picture book for [...]

There was a time when for tuppence you could ride on the back of an elephant at a zoo. Queenie was one such elephant. In Queenie, One Elephant’s Story, award-winning team of author Corinne Fenton and illustrator, Peter Gouldthorpe tell the remarkable true story of this special elephant. Until her death in 1945 Queenie carried [...]

Maya and the Crystal Skull is a story of intrigue, family loyalty and challenging your beliefs. 12 months ago, Maya’s mum died in a car accident. Now it looks as though she might lose her dad too. He’s been in Mexico looking for the crystal skull and now he’s disappeared. Uncle Peter is supposed to [...]

Seeing as it’s the start of the school year and that 2012 is the National Year of Reading, I thought it would be a good time to talk about making the class novel a positive reading experience. A couple of years ago I was visiting a school when an enthusiastic English teacher asked me if [...]

Ships in the  Field is Susanne Gervay and Anna Pignataro’s beautiful new picture book about a little girl whose dearest wish is to have a dog. But it’s not just about a dog. This dog symbolises hope, peace and security. Ships in the  Field is a story of  many layers and Anna Pignataro’s illustrations are a [...]

Golden Scarab is the second action packed adventure in the Hopescotch series by Ian Trevaskis. A game of hopscotch and a simple chant is all it takes to transport Hannah and Jake into an ancient world of treachery and danger. After a hazardous adventure in book 1, Hopscotch, The Medusa Stone, Hannah and Jake are [...]

Today I’m pleased to welcome Clancy Tucker who has dropped in as part of a blog tour to talk about his new book, Gunnedah Hero. This intriguing book for kids brings together the lives of two characters who lived 100 years apart, and introduces the reader to the life of pioneering Australians. Today, Clancy will [...]

Vulture’s Gate is a compelling novel for teen readers by Kirsty Murray set in the future. It has a spellbinding plot, and strong themes that reflect on our modern day world and the repercussions of how we currently interact with our environment. Kirsty Murray depicts a frightening but very real world in which girls are [...]

FIVE HUNDRED YEARS INTO THE FUTURE the world is a different place. The Melt has sunk most of the coastal cities and Newperth is divided into the haves, the ‘Centrals’; the have-nots, the Bankers; and the fringe dwellers, the ‘Ferals’. Rosie Black is a courageous but vulnerable 16 year-old who lives in a futuristic world [...]

Grandpa talks about his war adventures all the time. And Harry loves listening. His father was a soldier too, in a different war. But Harry never knew his dad, and his mother won’t talk about him. In finding out why, Harry discovers a deeper truth, one that will change his life forever. Some wards don’t [...]

Hal checked nobody was watching, then scooped up the earphones and placed them on his head. “Tiger One…docking successful. The board is green. I repeat, the board is green.” He could hardly believe it. He was listening to the pilot of a real spceship! Hal Junior, The Secret Signal is the first book in new [...]

Scholastic has just released a number of books for the young fact lover and for those young readers who like a book that makes them laugh. WEE ON A JELLYFISH STING and other fibs that simply aren’t true It’s amazing how many half-baked notions, crazy rumours from the internet and recycled must old myths get [...]

Lily gets her wings and Lily has a secret are the first two books in the Lily, The Littlest Angel series written by Elizabeth Pulford with illustrations by Aki Fukuoka LILY GETS HER WINGS In book one, Lily gets her wings, Lily dreams of earning her wings so she can attend Amelia’s Angel Academy, but [...]

Tropical Trouble is the third book in the Totally Twins series written by Aleesah Darlison and illustrated by Serena Geddes. Persephone and Portia Pinchgut are going on holidays to Fiji with Grandma. The only problem is they have been forced to take their annoying 7 year-old neighbour, Dillon Pickleton with them. Things don’t start out [...]

The Key to Starveldt is book two in The Rare series by Foz Meadows and it’s a gripping read. Solace Morgan was born a vampire. The castle of Starveldt is waiting. Having escaped once from Sanguisdera, Solace and her friends are in desperate need of guidance. Seeking to unravel a cryptic prophecy, they travel to [...]

Dennie is a Stresshead, and she has a lot to stress about. Things are not going well with her long time boyfriend Jack and her Year 11 results are due out, and being part of a high achieving family, she feels a lot of pressure to get good marks. On top of that, her pilates [...]

I remember Grade Five as being one of the hardest years of my school life. I’d just started at a new school and everyone already had firmly established friendship groups that didn’t seem to be able to make room for me. So The Friendship Matchmaker by Randa Abdel-Fattah was a book that really resonated with me [...]

Recon Team Angel, Assault is the first in a trilogy by the master of action and suspense, Brian Falkner. The year is 2030 and the world is at War with an Alien Race, the Bzadiens. The battle ground is earth. Recon Team Angel, Assault (Book 1 in the trilogy) is a science/fiction paranormal for readers [...]

Today, Kids’ Book Capers is one of the stops on author Sue Lawson’s blog tour to celebrate the release of her new YA novel, Pan’s Whisper. Pan’s Whisper is a deeply moving book about a damaged girl trying to move on from her past and build a new life with strangers who seem to want [...]

Today I wanted to talk about three different picture books, all unique and appealing in their own way. All great Christmas presents for the young book lovers in your life. PRUDENCE WANTS A PET What kid doesn’t want a pet of their very own? Prudence is so desperate for a pet that she befriends a [...]

Christmas is always a great time for giving books and there are always plenty of cute new Christmas picture books that come out this time of year. Here are a few for your Christmas list. LILY’S WISH Lily, is separated from her grandmother by distance and this Christmas she only has one wish. But will [...]

Today, I’m pleased to welcome illustrator, Marjorie Gardner to Kids’ Book Capers. Marjorie is the illustrator of many popular children’s books. Her most recent release is Grandpa’s Place, written by James Stead and published by Windy Hollow Books. Marjorie, have you always enjoyed illustrating? Yes, ever since a small child. I’ve always loved bright colours [...]

The National Library of Australia has published a beautiful series of books for young readers about some of my favourite Australian animals. Written by Susan Hall and beautifully illustrated by Ben Guy, these books tell the stories of  Kyla Koala, Kaz Kangaroo, Wil Wombat and Peek Platypus. These Animal Tales are set at the time [...]

As the author of A Duel of Words about the battle in the Bulletin newsaper between Henry Lawson and Banjo Paterson, I’ve always had a fascination for these writers, and believe they shaped an important part of our history. So I was very excited to see some of their works brought to life again for [...]

No wonder kids love the Mates Series published by Scholastic. These ‘Great Australian Yarns’ are hilarious. Written for readers aged 8+ these junior novels have hilarious full colour illustrations and easy to read text designed to extend the readers vocabulary. Captain Blunderbolt is the latest great Mate. Written by Carol Martin and Illustrated by Loren [...]