Our Children’s Book of the Month is Leanne Hall’s Iris and the Tiger. Here’s why our staff love it.

‘I’ve read books that I’ve wanted to see as films and TV shows, but I’ve never read a book I’ve wanted to see as a painting until now. Hall’s descriptions of the beautiful, mad, surreal paintings in her story left me desperately wishing I could visit the NGV with Iris and spend hours lost in each painting – all the while keeping my eye out for any wild cars that might attack.’ – Dani Solomon, Children’s Specialist at Carlton

‘I love the visual imagery in all of Leanne Hall’s books, and with this story set in a house full of surrealist paintings on a grand old Spanish estate, she really let her hair down!’ – Kathy Kowlowski, Children’s Specialist at Carlton

‘ Iris and the Tiger has all the hallmarks of a classic children’s novel – a reclusive relative, a labyrinthine house peopled with mysterious characters, secrets, quests, and impossible creatures, but the story itself is firmly grounded in the modern world.’ – Lian Hingee, Digital Marketing Manager

‘A wonderful caper with a wonderful heroine to match. Iris’s matter-of-fact and frankly ingenious approach to the challenges before her made me laugh more than once. I also loved the world of Bosque de Nubes which Leanne Hall has so magically brought to life on the page. I can’t wait to share this one with my niece.’ – Bronte Coates, Digital Content Coordinator

‘ This is a treasure trove of imagination: surrealist paintings, escapee tigers and eccentric aunts. You’ll lose yourself in the wonderland that is Bosque de Nubes and relish every minute spent there. If you’re searching for just the right thing to give your clever reader aged eleven and up, you’ve found it.’ – Holly Harper, Children’s Specialist at Carlton