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

Welcome to #TheQuickSixInterview with Karen Hendriks! Welcome to a special edition of our Quick Six Interview as we celebrate a regular guest on the blog with her new, beautiful picture book release. Thank you, Karen Hendriks, author of Go Away, Foxy Foxy, Home and Feathers, returning to share a book that pays tribute to the simple things in life and the natural beauty of the world around us. In particular, the visually stunning NSW bay area, Shellharbour – introducing Our Shellharbour! Depicted beautifully by award-winning artist, Emma Stuart, the watercolour landscapes are utterly divine.&nb ..read more

Square Me, Round World #BOOKGIVEAWAY! This week is #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek and it’s about challenging stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences, while celebrating the diverse ways of thinking, learning and behaving. And to celebrate, thanks to brilliant author and Autistic/ADHDer psychologist, Chelsea Luker at @connectuspsychology, you have the chance to WIN a SIGNED COPY of the incredibly valuable resource, filled with playful and insightful neuro-affirming stories for all kinds of shapes – Square Me, Round World! (Illustrations by Eliza Fricker) “To all t ..read more