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By Jessica Sanford
Picture books, ages 0–5+
- Let love and compassion take centre stage this holiday season, with this beautifully written and illustrated story, 11 Words for Love, by author Randa Abdel–Fattah and illustrator Maxine Beneba Clarke. As a family flees their home, one child narrates 11 meanings of love in Arabic while their journey unfolds.
- My Deadly Boots is an uplifting and fun story about finding your confidence and discovering what makes you who you are, by authors Carl Merrison and Hakea Hustler and illustrator Samantha Campbell.
- My family loves this book so much. Magic Beach, written and illustrated by Alison Lester was given to us for a special birthday when we first moved to the coast. I had to include this classic, re–released this year to include a puzzle, perfect for lazy school holiday days. This season, make time for shell hunting, sandcastles, lounging, fishing, exploring and spending time with loved ones on your magic beach.
- If I Were the World, by author Mark Sperring and illustrator Natelle Quek is a gorgeous rhyming book to inspire our young ones to learn about, and protect, this beautiful planet we live on. [available 10 Jan 2023]
- Little Dino Dudes, written and illustrated by Peter Lee, is book one of a value series. A compilation of stories about the lives of colourful dinosaurs, with the aim to impart gentle early–life lessons on values and respect. This first book in the series focuses on honesty and justice.
Middle Grade
- In Which Way to Anywhere, by Cressida Cowell, K2 is a seemingly ordinary boy, who draws imaginary maps of other worlds. But when his baby sister goes missing, he discovers the maps are magical. K2 will need to use the maps to cross over into the fantasy worlds to save his sister in the adventure of a lifetime. [ages about 8+]
- Trilby Moffat has been given the job of Time Keeper. When her mother falls ill with a mysterious sickness she must seek answers from her 300 year old aunt in a secret antique shop at the edge of time. To save her mum, she’ll have to embark on a wild adventure to an island where time no longer exists. The Dangerous Business of Being Trilby Moffat is by Kate Temple. [ages about 8+]
Non–fiction
- Satisfy inquisitive minds with The Bedtime Book of Impossible Questions, by Isabel Thomas, illustrated by Aaron Cushley. Find out the answers to tricky questions like, ‘why are bubbles always round?’ and ‘How many stars are in the sky’ or ‘why don’t animals wear clothes?’
- Your children will have the world’s museums at their fingertips with The Big Book of Exhibits, showcasing curiosities from galleries in Australia and across the globe. By Marita Bullock and Joan–Maree Hargreaves, illustrated by Liz Rowland.
Jessica Sanford is a librarian and writer living on the Central Coast. She has a passion for literature and writes fiction and non–fiction. Jessica was the winner of the Wyong Writers’ 2021 Short Story Competition and has also been longlisted for the Furious Fiction prize. She’s currently working on a novel set in rural NSW. jessicasanfordwriter.com