#BookReview: Anzac Ted, Belinda Landsberry (author and illustrator), EK Books, March 2024. Blurb: Anzac Ted is no ordinary bear. He’s got worn patches, frayed threads, missing parts and more… but that’s because he’s got an incredible story to tell. Long ago, Anzac Ted went to war alongside Grandpa Jack. He kept the soldiers company and gave them courage, becoming a mascot who reassured them that they would make it through. Review: Award winning author and illustrator Belinda Landsberry brings us her special tenth anniversary edition of Anzac Ted with a tactile arlin and green a ..read more

Welcome to The Art of an Illustrator with Alisha Dyer! This week, it’s a thrill to welcome illustrator, writer and graphic designer, Alisha Dyer, to the blog to talk about her inspirations for her stunning artwork. We were immediately drawn to Alisha’s ‘Redbank Gorge‘ for the Our Australian HeART anthology, for its breathtaking beauty in shimmering oil and watercolour pinks and purples, casting glowing sparkles over the page with hidden treasures to explore. Utterly captivating! Thank you, Alisha! ? About the Illustrator Alisha Dyer is a lifelong creative with passion for art, travel, wildlif ..read more

It’s such a delight to welcome TWO stars in the making with their debut release in the kidlit arena! We congratulate author Laura Holloway and illustrator Kristen Willis on their gorgeous book baby, Peek-a-Boo Lottie! What a dynamic duo, with both words and pictures playfully bouncing off one another to capture the utter charm and charisma of their energetic Lottie. Interspersed with a diverse mix of culture, community and family, there is no hiding that this picture book is one colourful expression of love. Thanks for sharing this beautiful story with us, Laura and Kristen! About the Author ..read more

Welcome to The Art of an Illustrator with Jacqui Hewlett! We’re delighted to welcome talented artist, author and pattern designer, Jacqui Hewlett, to our blog, to share her fascinating, wondrous and whimsical work with us. Jacqui’s playful ‘Wandering Geckos – Patterns in Nature’ piece is the first burst of movement and colour upon entering Our Australian HeART. Its inspiring words and curious geckos invite readers to explore, enquire and appreciate the beauty of nature around them. What a gift! Thank you, Jacqui! ? About the Illustrator Jacqui Hewlett is a pattern designer, author and il ..read more

#BookReview: Square Me, Round World: Stories of growing up in a world not built for you, Chelsea Luker (author), Eliza Fricker (illus.), Connect Us Psychology, 2024. Throughout April is World Autism Awareness Month, which raises understanding, acceptance and support for individuals on the Autism Spectrum. Campaigns such as this, like Neurodiversity Celebration Week, help to raise awareness and challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences, while at the same time celebrate the diverse ways of thinking, learning and behaving. It’s a privilege to read and review Chelsea ..read more

Last week we had the honour of welcoming award-winning filmmaker, animator and author – a master of storytelling – Leo Baker to our blog with an interview (read The Quick Six Interview with Leo Baker). Today, we are fortunate to receive his insights into the behind-the-scenes production of the making of action-packed adventure for middle grade readers, Tuckshop Terrors – this coming from Leo’s incredible experience in visual effects, animation and screenplay writing. Thanks so much, Leo! Leo Baker – Tuckshop Terrors Tuckshop Terrors originally began as some random ideas of quirky action scen ..read more

Welcome to #TheQuickSixInterview with Leo Baker! It’s a real privilege to welcome award-winning filmmaker, animator and author – a master of storytelling – Leo Baker! His extensive background in film and other creative mediums has led Leo to write his first middle grade novel, Tuckshop Terrors; an irresistible, action-packed mystery that will keep its readers on tenterhooks, and throws main character, Kip, into the line of (food) warfare on a mission to uncover a cloche-full of suspicious (culinary?) crimes. This sounds very tantalisingly cool, Leo! About the Author Working in the film and a ..read more

Welcome to The Art of an Illustrator with Jennifer Horn! Our next talented artist is the amazing Jennifer Horn – author, illustrator and graphic designer inspired by the greats of Quentin Blake and Charles Mackesy. Jennifer’s magical visual storytelling pieces project an essence of whimsy and a loose energy that so gloriously capture her subjects’ character, just like her impeccable ‘Scrub Turkey’ that can be found scratching and settling itself amongst the pages of Our Australian HeART. It has such a boldness and expression that aptly exemplify the assertion of a ‘nesting’ mother in charge of ..read more

Welcome to #TheQuickSixInterview with Samantha-Ellen Bound! What an absolute honour to welcome an award-winning author and podcast host to our blog to talk about the third book in her incredibly epic, portal fantasy series! Samantha-Ellen Bound is a folklore, fairytales and mythology enthusiast, and the Seven Wherewithal Way books for middle grade readers are immersed with these elements of fiery and perilous escapades into otherworldly Realms. Over the Mountains and Through the Desert whips readers on a heroic, magical and dangerous adventure, inspired by the wonders of Japanese and African f ..read more

Welcome to The Art of an Illustrator with Daniela Glyntzos! It’s such a privilege to welcome another amazing author-illustrator as a part of our The Art of an Illustrator series. Daniela Glyntzos is a writer, artist, and Visual Arts educator, who has added an absolutely enchanting piece to the Our Australian HeART anthology. ‘The Little Things’ is a bold statement piece with its pop, pop, pops of colours, its gorgeous variety of Australian flora and sweet spotty Zebra Finches that, from its ‘bird’s-eye’ view, projects a sense of whimsy and serenity at the same time. You can almost get lost in ..read more