Kim Gruschow
Kim Gruschow is the co-manager of Readings St Kilda
Review — 1 Mar 2022
Moth in a Fancy Cardigan by Charlotte Lance
Coming to us from stylish Melbourne publisher Berbay Books, this junior novel by Charlotte Lance is thoughtful and unusual.
We are told a story from two perspectives: Gary is a…
Review — 24 Jan 2022
Looking after Country with Fire by Victor Steffensen
Following his 2020 nonfiction book Fire Country, Victor Steffensen has now produced a bright and accessible picture-book introduction to First Nations fire management for younger people.
In Looking after…
Review — 28 Jul 2022
Fight Night by Miriam Toews
Suspended from school for fighting, nine-year- old Swiv is kicking around with her exuberant grandma Elvira, an anarchic rebel with a wild anecdote for every occasion. Swiv’s mother Mooshie is…
Review — 24 Jan 2022
Your School is the Best by Maggie Hutchings
I am a huge fan of Maggie Hutchings and Felicita Sala’s Your Birthday Was the Best! so I was overjoyed to see the return of my favourite picture-book cockroach family…
Review — 2 Nov 2021
Batpig: When Pigs Fly by Rob Harrell
Things aren’t exactly going well for Batpig. He’s strapped to a rocket that’s headed for the sun. If he can’t break free he is going to fry! This is the…
Review — 4 Oct 2021
Horror Heights: The Slime by Bec Hill
Connie is known to her classmates as the Queen of Slime because every week she shows off a new slime at school. When Connie’s dad suggests she try making her…
Review — 6 Sep 2021
Squirrel Do Bad by Stephen Pastis
Welcome to Trubble Town where our protagonist Wendy has decided to rebel against an overprotective parent. This process begins with consuming an excess of sugar and descends into total chaos…
Review — 1 Oct 2020
Earthlings by Sayaka Murata
Sayaka Murata has really ramped it up with Earthlings. Her newly translated novel shares themes with Convenience Store Woman; Murata again writes about people who can’t or won’t…
Review — 1 Aug 2021
It’s Owl Good/Squeals and Wheels by Renée Treml
I’m an enthusiastic fan of Renée Treml’s Sherlock Bones graphic novels, so I was very happy to discover she has two new books. Aimed at children ages 5 to 8…
Review — 30 May 2021
Pawcasso by Remy Lai
Remy Lai’s third book, Pawcasso, has a uniquely charming star: a dog that goes out to do shopping on his own! Gazing out the window during a boring, lonely…
