Emily Gale

Emily Gale is a former Readings bookseller and prize manager. She is the author of a number of children’s and young adult books.

Review — 23 Sep 2014

Nona & Me by Clare Atkins

The ‘me’ of the title is Rosie, a Year 10 girl who lives in the Northern Territory and is going through some familiar trials: separated parents, a confusing friendship group…

Read more ›

Review — 24 Aug 2014

The Jewel by Amy Ewing

This book took me by surprise. My instinct is usually to pass on anything with an elaborate dress on the front cover, but this was thoroughly entertaining melodrama. The premise…

Read more ›

Review — 23 Sep 2014

Cooper Bartholomew is Dead by Rebecca James

Australian author Rebecca James writes with the sort of sharp, unpretentious style that makes her books seem straightforward when actually this is a difficult story to pull off. In her…

Read more ›

Blog post — 19 Aug 2014

Children & young adult books highlights for August

I’m passionate about picture books and this month there are several stand-outs. From Bob Graham, a story with plenty to say in a few carefully chosen words and his trademark…

Read more ›

Review — 11 Aug 2014

Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio and Christian Robinson

Mrs Poodle adores her four children. Fi-Fi, Foo-Foo, Ooh-La-La are dainty creatures no bigger than teacups. Gaston, however, is tea-pot sized. With his different build and rough voice, Gaston puts…

Read more ›

Review — 22 Jul 2014

Vanilla Ice Cream by Bob Graham

By cleverly imagining the chain of events that might lead to a small child accidentally having their first ever taste of vanilla ice-cream, this new picture book by Bob Graham…

Read more ›

Blog post — 16 Jul 2014

Children & young adult books highlights for July

I’m a big fan of Aaron Blabey’s distinctive style. His picture books are never saccharine and often pack an emotional, as well as a humorous, punch. Take for example The

Read more ›

Blog post — 10 Jun 2014

Children & young adult books highlights for June

We loved Gus Gordon’s Herman and Rosie and this month he’s teamed up with Jill Esbaum for a new picture book: I Am Cow, Hear Me Moo! Esbaum uses lively…

Read more ›

Blog post — 11 Jun 2014

Our favourite self-published children's and young adult books

Writers from Beatrix Potter to Matthew Reilly first found success by self-publishing, and whereas it’s not easy to do well without the support of a big team, here is a

Read more ›

Review — 27 May 2014

Figgy in the World by Tamsin Janu

Figgy has the most fantastic outlook on life. She really only has one complaint, and that’s her unusual name. The rest of her considerable energy is spent pondering the big…

Read more ›