Kids
Charlie Archbold on her second book, The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage
Readings' Lucie Dess, keen Kids and YA reader, interviewed Charlie Archbold about the second book in her middle grade series: The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage. The first book in this series, The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-bottomed Boat won the Readings Children's Prize in 2022, so we are super excited for this second installment, and to have the chance to talk to Charlie about her process, and what's next for the Sugarcane Kids.
Lucie also reviewed…
Books to pair with an easy Book Week costume
Some people are handy with a glue gun, a sewing machine, a pair of scissors, and a large box. Some people relish the annual challenge of the Book Week costume and the opportunity to show off their crafty prowess to an assembly of peers. Some people . . . don't.
If Book Week's snuck up on you again this year, and you're in desperate need of a book to team with the generic costume you found in the shops (no…
Sporty books to get kids excited about the Olympics
The 2024 Paris Olympics are here! Whether you’re setting alarms to and getting up early to watch, or simply waiting for the highlights to appear on social media, there’s no better time to dive into these exciting, sporty books, perfect for both children and young adults. Biographies, graphic novels, picture books and more, there’s something here for lovers of all sports.
A highlight of our favourites
Kid Olympians by Robin Stevenson, illustrated by Allison Steinfeld
Triumphant, relatable, and totally true…
Spotlight on upcoming kids events
School holidays may be over but that doesn't mean the fun ends. We have an incredible lineup of events for kids and young adults coming up, from book launches to signings and storytimes!
Check out just some of our fantastic upcoming events below, and make sure to add them to your calendar.
Book Launch:
The Skin I'm In by Steph Tisdell
Tuesday 30 July at 6:00pm
Emporium Melbourne, Woiwurrung Country,
Shop 1-016/287 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Contemporary takes on children's classics
New stories with beloved characters
Saving Neverland by Abi Elphinstone
A magical, modern and adventurous reimagining of the much-loved classic, from one of today's most exciting children's writers.
When Martha Pennydrop and her little brother Scruff discover a drawer full of mysterious gold dust in the bedroom of their new house, it's the start of an incredible adventure to a magical world – Neverland!
The Pennydrop's new house used to belong to another family – the Darlings – who once…
Picture books about emotional resilience
Children all face different obstacles through their lives, whether it’s an internal hurdle, a one-off catastrophe, or the routine struggle that is heading back to school. Kids' books are a helpful way to show them they’re not alone in the hardships they experience, or to display the tools children can use to tackle whatever obstacles they may face.
Here are some of my favourite picks for picture books that focus on resilience, perseverance, or overcoming adversity.
Grey by Laura Dockrill…
New junior book series
Everyone knows that feeling when you read a book that you absolutely love, but when you finish it, you're left wanting more. And this is even worse when you're trying to coax the little people in your life to read. Well lucky for you, there's some wonderful new series that have hit the shelves this year. Here is just some of them!
Goldfish-Finger by James Foley
Max is a mole on a mission. With Helen Hippo and June Bug by…
Our June 2024 children's and young adult bestsellers
At the top of our bestsellers this month is Taylor Swift in her Little People, Big Dreams era. Coming in at second place is a crime solving cat on a mission.
Others making the list is the next instalment in the Bad Guys series, a First Nations young adult fantasy, a much-loved classic about a black and white dog and a tour of the worlds oceans and seas.
1. Taylor Swift (Little People, Big Dreams) by Maria Isabel…
Beautiful kids books to discover this NAIDOC week
To help mark this year's NAIDOC Week, we've put together a list of some of our favourite kids books from First Nations Australians. From gorgeous, bilingual picture books to gripping middle fiction, and a powerful chronicle of First Nations protest, this collection has something for all ages to help them learn about, and celebrate, First Nations cultures.
Picture books
Yanga Mother by Cheryl Leavy, illustrated by Christopher Bassi
Yanga Mother is a timely and poetic celebration of First…
Children's cooking books
It's getting cold and rainy outside, meaning the kids are stuck inside. How will you keep them occupied? Cooking of course! Here is a great collection of cookbooks perfect for little chefs that will have them cooking up a storm in no time! And hey, maybe they'll even take over all the cooking and you can put your feet up . . .
Lunch at 10 Pomegranate Street by Felicita Sala
In each apartment, someone is preparing a special dish…
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