Kids aged five to 14 read less in their spare time than they did four years ago*, writes researcher Kate Douglas– but a healthy 72.4% still like to read. How can we encourage children to keep reading? Supporting kids to choose what they read is crucial to...
While ideas of family are changing, from Charles Dickens to Harry Potter, absent parents still endure in children’s literature, write Dr Eleanor Spencer-Regan and Dr Jade Dillon Craig. The course of true (familial) love rarely runs smooth. Fairy tales may end with ‘happily ever after’,...
Every year like clockwork, we get books with stories about Christmas and the festive season. Usually, these books show Christmas as a wintry, snowy wonderland, but two of the books below are for Aussie kids experiencing the festive season during summer! If you are not...
Many children and young people are anxious about climate change, write Pauline Jones, Anne Hellwig and Annette Turney. What does it mean for their future? But can adults face the dilemma of how to talk to children about these incredibly serious issues without upsetting them further? We are...
Looking for a fun Australian gift for your kids this Christmas? Nearly all of the books reviewed here are by Australian-born and based authors and illustrators - perfect to put under the tree for young readers! For the littlies: Roobee Roo Series by Nico and Candy Robertson, pub...
These recently released books are perfect for reading to children under 4 when you need them to understand new concepts. Two Sides to Every Story introduces the concept of 'choices', which is more unusual. I Am Lupe: A Celebration of the Differences that Make Us Who...
Ash Barty, Global super star tennis player, who knew exactly when to retire and live her most fulsome family life. She has been busy since she retired-marriage, baby AND books-lots of them! A proud First Nations woman, Ash is committed to creating sport and education opportunities...
Author Lauren Thompson gives some tips for helping young children learn to be more positive and not give in to negative feelings. Each day, we generate over 10,000 thoughts. If a majority of these thoughts are negative and unkind, it can have a significant impact on...
Why it’s time to focus on the perpetrator when tackling domestic violence. Reviewed by Camilla Nelson You will not sleep if you read Jess Hill’s new book. Nobody should. Anybody familiar with Hill’s work as an investigative journalist will have seen her Walkley Award-winning reports on family...
Arriving across our desk this month have been quite a few new books for toddlers. Always fun to cuddle up and read before bed. Amazing Dad written and illus. by Allison Brown, pub. by HarperCollins, imprint Farshore, h/b RRP$19.99 This delightful book and its whimsical illustrations show a...
