Claire Atherfold
Claire Atherfold is the manager of Readings State Library
Review — 28 Oct 2024
Hazel’s Treehouse by Zanni Louise & Judy Watson (illus.)
Reminiscent of enchanting childhood tales like Winnie-the-Pooh, Blinky Bill or Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, Hazel’s Treehouse by bestselling author Zanni Louise is a future classic for your bookshelf.
Hazel…
Review — 26 Aug 2024
The Glass Horse of Venice by Arnold Zable & Anita Lester (illus.)
Arnold Zable, the author of the Australian classic Café Scheherazade, has teamed up with talented Melbourne illustrator Anita Lester to create his first, magical picture book.
It’s set in…
Review — 29 Jul 2024
Shadow Fox by Carlie Sorosiak
This is a good story. There are foxes in it. It’s a straightforward fact that our narrator Shadow shares with us as we begin. She isn’t biased either, of course…
Review — 24 Jun 2024
The Dragon’s Treasure (History Hunter Series) by Mark Greenwood
Mark Greenwood, the history lover and award-winning author, has an impressive backlist of children’s titles. From Ned Kelly and the Green Sash through to the tale of cricket’s real first…
Review — 19 May 2024
Lights Out, Little Dragon! by Debra Tidball & Rae Tan (illus.)
Award-winning Australian author Debra Tidball brings to life the tale of a very sleepy little dragon that refuses to go to bed, even though he’s tired – he’s just so…
Review — 22 Apr 2024
A Small Collection of Happinesses by Zana Fraillon & Stephen Michael King (illus.)
In A Small Collection of Happinesses, two award-winning artists, author Zana Fraillon and illustrator Stephen Michael King, come together to create a whimsical tale of unexpected cross-generational friendship.
Set…
Review — 26 Mar 2024
Poetry Comics by Grant Snider
Starting with Spring and working his way through the seasons, Grant Snider has created a book that covers the magical moments of childhood. From catching a tadpole that turns into…
Review — 26 Feb 2024
The Last Bloodcarver by Vanessa Le
Vanessa Le is a Vietnamese-American author who recently graduated from Brown University with a focus on health and human biology. The Last Bloodcarver is her first novel in a debut…
Review — 1 Feb 2024
The Fight for the Hidden Realm (Paper Dragons, Book 1) by Siobhan McDermott & Yuzhen Cai (illus.)
The Fight for the Hidden Realm, the first in the new Paper Dragons series, had me hooked from page one. Reminiscent of bestselling series such as Percy Jackson, Nevermoor…
Review — 23 Oct 2023
Gymnastica Fantastica! by Briony Stewart
Award-winning Australian author–illustrator Briony Stewart has captured the energy and exhilaration of impromptu performances, and the discovery of new talents, in Gymnastica Fantastica! Within its pages we watch as the…