Australian children’s classics: Seven Little Australians

There is an image from Ethel Turner’s 1894 Australian children’s classic novel, Seven Little Australians, that has stayed with me for more than 50 years....

24 September, 2026

These 5 Australian novels will get your book club talking

On any given week across Australia, thousands of people – mostly, but not always, women – gather in homes, bookshops, libraries and elsewhere, to talk about books....

10 September, 2026

Beyond Harry Potter: five books you can enjoy together as a whole family

Most adults are well aware of the benefits that come with reading with children, reports Helen Joanne Adam. Storytime with kids can improve their literacy and develop their communication skills....

03 September, 2026

The legacy of Dolly Parton’s philanthropic Imagination Library

Dolly Parton had first-hand experience of the effects of limited literacy. Her father could not read or write. Her philanthropic Imagination Library had a proven effect in Australia, and around the world....

02 September, 2026

Monthly Book Spotlight: The Good Decision – Making a good decision can seem simple

Making a good decision can seem simple — until you’re a small child with a very good idea that goes spectacularly wrong. In Jo Dabrowski and Cate James’ new picture book, Albert discovers that good intentions don’t always produce good results. Albert wakes up ready to...

30 August, 2026

Seven Indigenous Literacy Foundation books recognised in new global collection

Seven Indigenous Literacy Foundation books have been selected for a new IBBY-UNESCO global collection celebrating Indigenous languages and storytelling....

20 August, 2026

Australian children’s books in the spotlight for the 2026 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards

Ten Australian children’s and YA books have been shortlisted for the 2026 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards. Meet the books before winners are announced in September....

18 August, 2026

Does your child only read graphic novels?

Some parents worry if their children only read graphic novels – or even mostly read them. A common question goes something like: how do I get my child to read something other than comics or graphic novels? But the answer might be: you don’t have...

04 August, 2026

Monthly Book Spotlight: The Grey Beret’s Guide to Surviving the Odds

The Grey Beret’s Guide to Surviving the Odds: a funny adventure for young worriers. This middle-grade featured book is around resilience, courage, adventure and will keep older primary readers engaged....

27 July, 2026

Do we absorb information better on paper, rather than screens?

To understand why reading is difficult, one must first understand the physiology of reading. As you are reading this sentence, your eyes are making a series of rapid movements, called saccades, from one word to the next. During these saccades, the processing of visual information is...

21 July, 2026