As I compose this sentence, election fever is about to come to the boil in my home country and so, in the spirit of democracy, I asked my colleagues to help me compile this blog post by each voting for their favourite new release.

PICTURE BOOKS

Kathy’s pick: Sammy and the Skyscraper Sandwich by Lorraine Francis and Pieter Gaudesaboos

Kathy loves this stylish, over-sized board book about a boy who is building the tallest sandwich the world has ever seen. She says it’s a visual feast with a very satisfying conclusion.

This book is one of a beautiful new range from New Zealand company Book Island, who are bringing some wonderful translated picture books to our shores from Europe. This includes these stunning books: Maia and What Matters, The Big Question, The Rabbit and the Shadow, and The Umbrella. The latter of those is a beautiful wordless story about a little dog who goes on an adventure, sailing across the lands under his red umbrella. This is a brilliant way for pre-schoolers to define their own narrative.

Angela’s pick: Teddy Took The Train by Nicki Greenberg

Nicki Greenberg is a talented local author-illustrator whose graphic novel version of Hamlet is sheer brilliance. Here’s something for the younger crowd, particularly for a pre-schooler who knows the horror of leaving a favourite toy behind.

Angela says: “Set on the Melbourne train network, with rhythmic rhyming text and gorgeous retro illustrations, this is a delightful story that will allay children’s fears and set their imaginations free.”

Isobel’s pick: Mum Goes To Work by Libby Gleeson and Leila Rudge

During a week when mothers are being bombarded with messages about the sorts of gifts they should want for Mother’s Day like pink crocheted baking trays, Isobel’s choice is a fully-refreshed version of a book that first appeared in 1992. Leila Rudge’s lovely new illustrations have brought this picture book into 2015.

Isobel says: “At first glance they seem just the normal (yet lovely) illustrations of the actions contained in the text, but upon closer inspection more and more storylines are revealed that complement the main, and beautifully inclusive, depiction of the mums’ days.”

Alexa’s pick: How Big Is Too Small? by Jane Godwin and Andrew Joyner

The new picture book from two local favourites (the author of Today We Have No Plans paired with the illustrator of Tim and Ed ) is a real treat – lively, cheeky fun from Andrew Joyner’s illustrations and a rhythmic, sensitive story with a triumphant ending from Jane Godwin.

Alexa says: “Jane Godwin really understands childhood and conveys that in warm, friendly stories told with an assured, poetic tempo that makes them a joy to read aloud. Here she is partnered with the talented Andrew Joyner who seems to effortlessly portray the exuberance and irrepressibility of being a child.”

FICTION FOR 8+

Kim’s pick: Anyone But Ivy Pocket by Caleb Crisp

Most narrators for this age group are immediately likeable or sympathetic – not so the rather conceited Ivy Pocket and yet this new series has definitely won Kim’s heart. Ivy is a 12-year-old maid with rather grand opinions of herself (sounds refreshing, I must say) and the story is a very busy one with Ivy in charge of some precious cargo and a host of eccentric characters determined to take it from her.

If your kids enjoyed the wonderfully strange humour of A Series of Unfortunate Events, or indeed the recent Victorian fantasy adventure Withering-By-Sea, this looks like fun.

Dani’s pick: 88 Lime Street by Denise Kirby

I’ll let the last few lines of Dani’s review do all the talking here: “I loved 88 Lime Street, it starts out as a ghost story but quickly becomes something much more exciting – a room full of children all from different points in history fighting a race against Time itself! 88 Lime Street is carefully written and never really gets any scarier than spooky.

It’s like a cross between Tom’s Midnight Garden and an episode of Doctor Who.”

FICTION FOR YOUNG ADULTS

Katherine’s pick: A Single Stone by Meg McKinlay

Katherine describes this as, “a beautiful and delicate novel that tackles some big questions about gender and power”, and I heartily agree. The prose is stunning and the enclosed world that Meg McKinlay builds is the perfect device for the themes she’s exploring, such as how a society becomes corrupted by fear and lies.

With a complex and likable main character, this story would really suit keen readers in Years 5/6 as well as high school students.

Athina’s pick: One True Thing by Nicole Hayes

This is next on my list to read as I thoroughly enjoyed Nicole Hayes’ debut about a girl who loves AFL, The Whole Of My World. This time Hayes has chosen the even muddier field of politics for her theme and I was reminded of Channel Ten’s Party Tricks when I read the blurb and saw the main character’s mother is Premier of Victoria. I saw a comment on Twitter the other day about YA novels about politics only ever being the dystopian kind – well not any more.

Athina says: “Although the political backdrop is an unusual setting in young adult literature, Frankie’s story is compellingly familiar – she’s balancing family, friendship and struggling to belong. But unlike most teenagers she’s figuring things out under the watchful eye of an unforgiving media. This is a terrific coming of age story with an incredibly likable protagonist. Highly recommended for ages 13 and up.”

Angela’s pick: Tell Me Again How A Crush Should Feel by Sara Farizan

Melbourne’s YA fans don’t have long to wait until the most exciting event in their calendar: Reading Matters. This conference, organised by the Centre for Youth Literature, features Australian and international authors and now includes a free public program at the State Library of Victoria.

Angela’s YA choice this month comes from one of the authors attending from the USA: Sara Farizan, described by bestselling Sarah Dessen as “just the voice YA needs right now”.

Savannah’s pick: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

For those who prefer fantasy over contemporary, this new series is a must based on the author’s first trilogy (Throne of Glass, Heir of Fire, Crown of Midnight).

Savannah says: “For fans of Melissa Marr and Cassandra Clare, this book will hit the spot. Maas’ latest explores sisterhood, trust and above all what sacrifices we make in the name of love. Recommended for ages 14 and up.”

AND TO CONCLUDE THE READINGS’ DEMOCRATIC ROUND-UP…

My pick: Sporty Kids by Felice Arena

I see a lot of series aimed at 6-9-year-olds that simply have too much text for a lot of newbie readers. Some children will dive headlong into that sort of challenge, while others will turn their heads as soon as they see that great wall of words.

Felice Arena’s new series is very approachable in two ways, then. First, in its subject matter – the series plans to cover all the most-loved sports in this country, and will feature girls as well as boys as the main characters. And secondly, in the just-right text for a reader starting chapter books, who still loves the reassurance of a few illustrations, larger font and manageable sentences.

Emily Gale