Kids
CBCA Notable Books of 2023
The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) has announced its Notable Books for 2023. Congratulations to all the authors, illustrators and publishers!The CBCA presents annual awards to books of literary merit, for outstanding contribution to Australian children’s literature. The CBCA Awards were first presented in 1946 and are the longest-running book awards in Australia.
See below the links to the notable books for each category.
Older Readers
Books in this category may be fiction, drama or poetry and are appropriate…
Picture books about friendship
As kids return to school and childcare, friendship is both their greatest desire and sometimes a source of confusion and hurt. Who gets to be included, what happens when a friendship has changed or what if a friend is different to everybody else? Picture books are a great resource to explore the benefits and the challenges of friendship in a gentle, reassuring way and here are some favourite recent releases on the topic.
Walter Had a Best Friend by Deborah…
The 2023 Yoto Carnegie longlists
The longlists for the 2023 Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing and Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration have been announced!
The Carnegie Medal for Writing is awarded by children’s librarians for an outstanding book written in English for children and young people. The Carnegie Medal for Illustration* is awarded by children’s librarians for an outstanding book in terms of illustration for children and young people.
*formerly known as the Kate Greenaway Medal
Below are this year's two longlists.
The 2023 Yoto…
New and recommended children's books this February
2023 begins with a bang with many exciting new titles, including a time-slip story by Kate Constable, a beautiful new picture book about hope (the cover of which graces this month's Readings Monthly), a picture book about the creator of Blinky Bill, and a new middle grade novel by the author of beloved middle grade novel, Wildwood.
FEBRUARY BOOK OF THE MONTH
Tumbleglass by Kate Constable
When 13 year-old Rowan discovers a ring and puts it on, she…
The 100 bestselling kids & YA books of 2022
We’ve run the reports and done the maths. Here are our 100 bestselling kids & YA books from the past year.
The 156-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-bottomed Boat by Charlie Archbold
Heartstopper: Volume One by Alice Oseman
Guardians: Wylah the Koorie Warrior by Jordan Gould & Richard Pritchard
One Of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
Maybe by Kobi Yamada & Gabriella Barouch
Barefoot Kids by Scott Pape
Our January 2023 children's and young adult bestsellers
Cat Kid Comic Club 4: Collaborations by Dav Pilkey
Off to the Market by Alice Oehr
The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-bottomed Boat by Charlie Archbold
Australian Animals by Matt Chun
Barefoot Kids by Scott Pape
Freedom Day by Thomas Mayo, Rosie Smiler & Samantha Campbell
Diper Överlöde: Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
The Stolen Heir by Holly Black
If You Could See the Sun by Ann Liang
The 156-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
…
Dani Solomon's funny favourites of 2022
Our Readings Kids shop manager, Dani Solomon, picks her favourite funny books of the year. This is an eclectic collection of titles, ranging from picture books all the way through to fantasy, with plenty of manga in between, and (of course) lots of laughs throughout!
My Parents Won't Stop Talking by Emma Hunsinger & Tillie Walden
This book made me laugh out loud. Molly and her family are going to the park - how exciting! Unfortunately, her parents bump into…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Barefoot Kids by Scott Pape
The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-Bottomed Boat by Charlie Archbold
Runt by Craig Silvey
A Tiny Light by Alison Lester
Off to the Market by Alice Oehr
The Bookseller's Apprentice by Amelia Mellor
The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet & Allan Ahlberg
Colours, Colours Everywhere by Julia Donaldson & Sharon King-Chai
Come Together: Things Every Aussie Kid should know about the First Peoples by Isaiah Firebrace & Jaelyn Biumaiwai
Brilliant series' for kids to dive into over summer
It can be difficult keeping the kids busy over summer. You need something for them to dive into and become devoted to over the long, lazy days. Here are the first books in some absolutely guaranteed, tried and tested series' for readers aged from 6 to 12 that will have kids (and adults) utterly addicted.
Real Pigeons Fight Crime by Andrew McDonald & Ben Wood
This addictive early reader series about a crack team of crime fighting pigeons is a…
Picture books celebrating self-expression, rainbow families, and inclusive communities
We have some beautiful picture books that celebrate authentic self expression, families in all their guises, and inclusive communities. Collected here are a mix of new favourites, as well as, contemporary classics that we just can't resist. Explore our ongoing collection for even more wonderful stories.
All the Colours of the Rainbow by Daniel Gray-Barnett
March through the rainbow in this glorious celebration of pride! Children will delight in this stunning board book where every page reveals a colourful ribbon…
Detective fiction for curious kids
Everyone loves a good detective story. In addition to the popular detectives of yesteryear – Nancy Drew, Trixie Beldon and the Hardy Boys – we now have some brilliant contemporary equivalents who crack codes, solve mysteries, and catch the criminals while the grown-ups miss all the clues! Here are some of our favourite contemporary detective stories for ages 7-12.
Friday Barnes: Girl Detective by R.A. Spratt
Friday Barnes is a genius codebreaker and when she catches some bank robbers, she…
Picture books where creatures feature
Whether they're sly cats, grumpy trolls, or even raccoons baking apple cakes – these picture books are populated by eccentric and memorable creatures that young readers will adore.
Where Have You Been, Little Cat? by Richard Jones
What do our cats get up to when they're on their own? Little Cat has come back from her exciting outdoor adventures and is asked by her owner all about her day. Was she happy? Was she kind? This is a delightful story…
Bestselling children's and YA books this week
Barefoot Kids by Scott Pape
The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-Bottomed Boat by Charlie Archbold
Off to the Market by Alice Oehr
The Bookseller's Apprentice by Amelia Mellor
Runt by Craig Silvey
A Tiny Light by Alison Lester
The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet & Allen Ahlberg
Come Together: Things Every Aussie Kid should know about the First Peoples by Isaiah Firebrace
Maybe by Kobi Yamada
The Baddies by Julia Donaldson
Our top two spots are held by the same…
What to buy for kids you've never met
It can be tricky going to visit a house where you’ve never met the kids but you want to bring a gift. You may not know anything about them, have only a vague idea of their ages, and have no idea what they’re into. Fear not, there are great gifts that work for lots of kids and will entertain them for your visit and beyond. Here’s a few ideas.
Ages 5 and under
All in a Day by Chihiro Takeuchi
…
Children's graphic novel favourites of 2022
In the last few years, graphic novels have rapidly increased in popularity. They're a great way to get anyone into reading. Here are some of our favourite children's graphic novels published in the last year, in no particular order. From adventure to sport to roadtrips, there's something for everyone.
Dirt by Sea by Michael Wagner and Tom Jellett
This gorgeous book is half graphic novel, half picture book. Daisy lives in inland Australia with her dad and her grandparents. When…
2022 nonfiction favourites for children
We've enjoyed a diverse, stunning and highly informative range of nonfiction titles for kids this year. Here are a selection of our favourites.
Wild Australian Life by Leonard Cronin & Chris Nixon (illus.)
This stunning atlas of Australian animals features thousands of different species from the deepest parts of the ocean to the tops of the mountains. Discover the remarkable stories behind some of the world's most extraordinary animals in this must-have collection for every Australian family.
Ages 8 and…
Middle grade fantasy favourites of 2022
This year has really seen a boom in brilliant magic, fantasy, and science fiction stories for readers aged 8-13. Read on to discover a selection of our favourite books for young speculative fiction readers published this year.
Book of Wondrous Possibilities by Deborah Abela
Arlo has lived above the bookshop with his uncle and a pet mouse since his mother’s unusual death. That is, until the feisty Lisette barrels into the bookshop holding a grimoire – a magical book that…
Beautiful First Nations children's books to gift
It’s been a brilliant year for First Nations publishing in Australia. Here are twelve of our favourite 2022 titles by First Nations authors and illustrators that would make wonderful gifts.
Come Together by Isaiah Firebrace & Jaelyn Biumaiwai (illus.)
This wonderful picture book introduces children to 20 important concepts of First Nations knowledge in Australia. With vibrant illustrations and stunning design, Firebrace describes the value of caring for Country, explains the importance of Elders and the Dreaming, and much more…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-Bottomed Boat by Charlie Archbold
Barefoot Kids by Scott Pape
Come Together: Things Every Aussie kid should know about the First Peoples by Isaiah Firebrace & Jaelyn Biumaiwai
A Tiny Light by Alison Lester
Runt by Craig Silvey
The Bookseller's Apprentice by Amelia Melloy
Off to the Market by Alice Oehr
Back on Country by Adam Goodes, Ellie Laing & David Hardy
The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet & Allan Ahlberg
Best junior and middle fiction of 2022
Every year our staff vote for their favourite books of the past 12 months. Here are the best junior and middle fiction books of the year, as voted for by Readings’ staff, and displayed in alphabetical order by author.
The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-bottomed Boat by Charlie Archbold
Our Readings Children's Prize winner for this year is an exciting mystery adventure set in the waterways of Far North Queensland.
When Adam and Eli need to help Eli's cousin Jacob…
Best picture books of 2022
Every year our staff vote for their favourite books of the past 12 months. Here are the best picture books of the year, as voted for by Readings’ staff, and displayed in no particular order.
My Strange Shrinking Parents by Zeno Sworder
This is a fairytale-like story of parental love, where the parents of a young boy trade their height as payment for their child’s needs over the years. As the boy grows, the parents shrink until they are small…
Our bestselling children's and YA books this week
Come Together: Things Every Aussie Kid Should Know About the First Peoples by Isaiah Firebrace & Jaelyn Biumaiwai
The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-Bottomed Boat by Charlie Archbold
Runt by Craig Silvey
A Tiny Light by Alison Lester
Barefoot Kids by Scott Pape
The Bookseller's Apprentice by Amelia Melloy
Stellarlune: Keeper of Lost Cities 9 by Shannon Messenger
If You Could See the Sun by Ann Liang
The Book that No One Wanted to Read by Richard Ayoade
Our children's and YA bestsellers of the week
The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-Bottomed Boat by Charlie Archbold
A Tiny Light by Alison Lester
Stellarlune (Keeper of the Lost Cities 9) by Shannon Messenger
Diper Overlode (Diary of a Wimpy Kid 17) by Jeff Kinney
Barefoot Kids by Scott Pape
Bluey: 12 Days of Christmas by Bluey
Spaceboy by David Walliams
The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet & Allan Ahlberg
Unnecessary Drama by Nina Kenwood
The Book that No One Wanted to Read by Richard Ayoade
Our Readings…
Our children's and YA bestsellers this week
Diper Overlode: Diary of a Wimpy Kid 17 by Jeff Kinney
The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-Bottomed Boat by Charlie Archbold
The Bookseller's Apprentice by Amelia Mellor
A Tiny Light by Alison Lester
Spaceboy by David Walliams
The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet & Allan Ahlberg
Maybe by Kobi Yamada
Real Pigeons Stay Coo: Real Pigeons 10 by Andrew McDonald & Ben Wood
Runt by Craig Silvey
Bluey: 12 Days of Christmas by Bluey
Our top two bestsellers are the…
Recommended Children's Books and News for November
We have some fascinating new books to finish out the year. Some gorgeous new picture books, including our Book of the Month about an irrepresible frog and a new Alison Lester, fascinating historical fiction by Katrina Nannestad, fantasy from Katharine Orton, and a junior fiction title by adult book author, Maggie O'Farrell. Read on to learn more about some of the biggest books of the year for children.
For the young adult books round-up, please visit here.
KIDS BOOK…
Our children's and YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Diper Overlode: Diary of a Wimpy Kid (17) by Jeff Kinney
The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-Bottomed Boat by Charlie Archibold
Runt by Craig Silvey
Unnecessary Drama by Nina Kenwood
The Bookseller's Apprentice by Amelia Mellor
The Jammer by Nova Weetman
Come Over to My House by Eliza Hull, Sally Rippin & Daniel Gray-Barnett
Meanwhile, Back on Earth by Oliver Jeffers
The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynne Barnes
The Others: Bad Guys 16 by Aaron Blabey
The new Wimpy Kid…
Recommended children's books and news for October
There are so many exciting new releases to excite and entertain young minds in the month of October. These books will be high on the wish list, not only for the festive season, but for a long time to come.
KIDS BOOK OF THE MONTH
Come over to My House by Eliza Hull & Sally Rippin, illustrated by daniel Gray-Barnett
Come Over To My House is a delightful picture book that explores the home lives of children and parents who…
Q & A with the 2022 Readings Children's Prize shortlist authors
With the upcoming announcement of this year’s winner, our Children’s Prize shortlist authors talk about their inspiration, their perfect reader, their favourite writing advice and what they hope readers take away from their books.
Want to know more about each shortlisted title? Explore the shortlist here.
What was the initial inspiration for this story?
Shirley Marr (A Glasshouse of Stars): My immigration to Australia with my family when I was seven years old has always been a…
Our children's and YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Runt by Craig Silvey
The Heartstopper Yearbook by Alice Oseman
Unnecessary Drama by Nina Kenwood
Spaceboy by David Walliams
The 156-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
Off to the Market by Alice Oehr
The Others (Bad Guys #16) by Aaron Blabey
The Bookseller's Apprentice by Amelia Mellor
The Book that No One Wanted to Read by Richard Ayoade
Claris: The Secret Crown: The Chicest Mouse in Paris by Megan Hess
A number of new releases have made the…
New Kids and YA books for book clubs
We are delighted to have many recent children’s books that are richly imagined and would be perfect for study by book clubs and in classrooms. Here are some of our favourites.
AGES 5 AND UP
My Strange Shrinking Parents by Zeno Sworder
With humour and pathos, Sworder reflects on the strange nature of giving and receiving love and celebrates those parents who embrace a hard life for themselves in the hope of a better life for their children.
Themes include:
…
Our children's and YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
156-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
The Others!? (Bad Guys 16) by Aaron Blabey
Wonders Under the Sun by Tai Snaith
The Killing Code by Ellie Marney
A Walk in the Dark by Jane Godwin
The Baddies by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler
The Bookseller's Apprentice by Amelia Mellor
Treasure in the Lake by Jason Pamment
A Line in the Sand (The Wild Life 2) by Laura & Philip Bunting
Cheesy Weird (Weirdo 19) by Anh Do
Our…
Our favourite interactive books for young readers
I remember, back in the distant 1980s, the thrill of Choose Your Own Adventure books and the excitement of being able to constantly re-read a book, choosing a different outcome each time.
Today, there’s now a swathe of beautiful interactive stories that young readers can enjoy reading over and over again, as well as amazing seek-and-find books (that are also stunning, artistic adventures). Discover some of our recent favourite below.
Spin to Survive: Deadly Jungle by Emily Hawkins & R…
Our children's and YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Triple Threat by Katy Warner
The 156-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
Little Gem by Anna Zobel
My Strange Shrinking Parents by Zeno Sworder
The Goodbye Year by Emily Gale
Nothing More to Tell by Karen McManus
A Glasshouse of Stars by Shirley Marr
The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Wylah the Koorie Warrior by Jordan Gould & Richard Pritchard
Chippy Chasers: Chippy Jackpot by Sam Cotton
Our bestselling title this week was the latest young adult…
Neurodiverse stories for middle grade readers
It is heartening to see more books with neurodiverse main characters. Not only are these stories fantastic for young people who experience neurodiversity in one way or another, but it’s wonderful for all readers to learn about what might be going on in someone else’s mind and build empathy.
Below are some of our most popular stories that champion neurodiversity.
When I See Blue by Lily Bailey
Sometimes Ben’s brain makes him count to 4 to prevent bad things happening…
Recommended children's books and news for September
We have some extraordinary picture books to pore over this month, including our Book of the Month by rising star, Zeno Sworder, which looks at the immigrant experience through a different lens - shrinking parents! We also have a picture book from Alice Pung about a little boy whose parents want to keep him wrapped in cotton wool, when all he wants is to run free, plus a stunning new picture book by Caldecott-winner, Sophie Blackall.
In fiction, we are…
Our children's and YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
The 156-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
Dancing Barefoot by Alice Boyle
Nothing More to Tell by Karen McManus
Hasina: Through My Eyes by Michelle Aung Thin
My Strange Shrinking Parents by Zeno Sworder
Sadie Starr’s Guide to Starting Over by Miranda Luby
Be Careful Xiao Xin! by Alice Pung & Sher Rill Ng
A Glasshouse of Stars by Shirley Marr
Where You Left Us by Rhiannon Wilde
The Goodbye Year by Emily Gale
Our top selling title…
Books to celebrate Indigenous Literacy Day 2022
Today is Indigenous Literacy Day; a day where we celebrate the culture, stories and language of our First Nations peoples.
Indigenous Literacy Day is organised by The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF), a not-for-profit organisation that seeks to foster a love of reading and books with First Nations children in remote communities. Below are four recent titles published by the ILF, which feature First Nations languages and are delightful stories to read with small children.
Winthali: Fire by Joe Ross, Stacey…
Books to read at bedtime
On these cold winter nights there is nothing nicer than snuggling up under the covers for a cosy, long storytime. Here we highlight some classics and contemporary titles that are gentle, soothing and perfect for a longer than normal bedtime reading routine. All of these titles are suitable for children aged four and up who can be still for a longer storytime, but there are still plenty of pictures for them to enjoy as you read.
Our children's and YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
My Strange Shrinking Parents by Zeno Sworder
Bindi by Kirli Saunders
Whodunnit Eddie Woo?: Time Out by Eddie Woo, Jess Black & Mitch Vane
Nothing More to Tell by Karen McManus
Treasure in the Lake by Jason Pamment
The Final Gambit: The Inheritance Games 3 by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon by Gabrielle Wang
All the Little Tricky Things by Karys McEwen
Little Gem by Anna Zobel
Spotlight on Kids and YA Manga favourites
Passionate about manga or curious about the artform? To help build your manga collection, this month we have a 3-for-2 offer on the first three volumes in a range of bestselling manga series. Buy two books and choose a third title in the range (of equal or lesser value) for free. This offer is available in all Readings shops (excluding SLV and online) until 30 September 2022 on stickered, in-stock items only, while stocks last.
Below are six popular series…
Our children's and YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
The Wintrish Girl by Melanie La'Brooy
The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-Bottomed Boat by Charlie Archibold
A Glasshouse of Stars by Shirley Marr
The Baddies by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler
Treasure in the Lake by Jason Pamment
Little Gem by Anna Zobel
Tiger Daughter by Rebecca Lim
What We All Saw by Mike Lucas
The Museum of Broken Things by Lauren Draper
What to Say When You Don’t Know What to Say by Davina Bell
Our top selling title…
Children's and young adult books by women in translation
To celebrate Women in Translation month in August we are showcasing five fabulous children’s and young adult books both written and translated by women.
My Happy Life written by Rose Lagercrantz, illustrated by Eva Eriksson,
Translated from Swedish by Julia Marshall
The first in a seven-book series, this is one of our favourite junior fiction titles about friendship and resilience.
Dani is happy because she’s going to start school and she’s been waiting to go to school her whole life…
Our children's and YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
The Readings Prize Children’s Shortlist Pack 2022
A Glasshouse of Stars by Shirley Marr
Little Gem by Anna Zobel
Floof by Heidi McKinnon
Guardians: Wylah the Koorie Warrior 1 by Jordan Gould & Richard Pritchard
The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-Bottomed Boat by Charlie Archibold
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
The Readings Prize Young Adult Shortlist Pack 2022
Treasure in the Lake by Jason Pamment
What We All Saw by Mike Lucas
Our top-selling title this week…
Recommended children's books and news for August
We are madly in love with our August Book of the Month, which is focused on discovering the tiny indicators of nature, even in the most crowded city. It’s an utter delight for picture book lovers.
We also have a stunning book featuring the most beautiful of nature’s insects – butterflies. Plus, a great picture book about sustainability, some wonderful fantasy stories for middle fiction readers, and our classic of the month, The Velveteen Rabbit, is celebrating its 100…
The winners of the CBCA Book of the Year Awards 2022
The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) has announced their Book of the Year Awards winners for 2022. These Awards celebrate the best Australian books for readers in early childhood up to young adult readers.
Here are the winners for each category.
Older Readers (for ages 13–18 years)
Tiger Daughter by Rebecca Lim
Wen Zhou is the daughter and only child of Chinese immigrants whose move to the lucky country has proven to be not so lucky. Wen and her…
Easy Book Week costume ideas
Book Week is coming and with it the tradition of finding a last-minute costume for the child to wear to school! Don’t worry – we’ve got a few easy numbers for you to whip up a last minute costume from things you probably already have around the house.
Slinky Malinki by Lynley Dodd
To create a cat you will need:
Black leggings and black long sleeved tee
A pair of opaque black tights to make a tail. Chop one leg…
Our children's and YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
The Hidden Girl by Louise Bassett
Guardians: Wylah the Koorie Warrior 1 by Jordan Gould & Richard Pritchard
Little Gem by Anna Zobel
My Brother Ben by Peter Carnavas
Floof by Heidi McKinnon
Treasure in the Lake by Jason Pamment
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
Maybe by Kobi Yamada
The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-Bottomed Boat by Charlie Archibold
A Glasshouse of Stars by Shirley Marr
Our top-selling title this week is the young adult novel that…
The Readings Prize: Children's shortlist
The Readings Children’s Fiction Prize is presented to the best new contribution to Australian children’s literature. This report is written by 2022 chair of judges Lucie Dess (marketing assistant), with contributions from fellow judges: Lian Hingee (digital marketing manager), Janine Larson (Readings Kids) and Clare McCann-McCall (Readings Hawthorn).
Discover the six shortlisted titles below.
A Glasshouse of Stars by Shirley Marr
Meixing has just arrived at a new house in a new country with her family. Faced with a new…
Our children's and YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
Floof by Heidi McKinnon
It’s Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han
Crash Course: Wolf Girl 7 by Anh Do
Bluey: Barky Boats by Bluey
We’ll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han
My People by Eddie Betts
Possum Magic by Mem Fox
August & Jones by Pip Harry
What to Say When You Don’t Know What to Say by Davina Bell
Our top-selling title this week is once again the first book…
Our children's and YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
What to Say When You Don’t Know What to Say by Davina Bell
Pig the Rebel by Aaron Blabey
It’s Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han
Floof by Heidi McKinnon
We’ll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han
Look Inside Building Sites by Usborne
Maybe by Kobi Yamada
The Guardians: Wylah the Koorie Warrior 1 by Jordan Gould & Richard Pritchard
Heartstopper: Volume 2 by Alice Oseman
Our top-selling title this week…
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