Kids
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Sherlock Bones and the Natural History Mystery by Renee Treml
The Dog Runner by Bren MacDibble
Timmy the Ticked-Off Pony and the Poo of Excitement by Magda Szubanski & Dean Rankine
Eddie Woo’s Magical Maths by Eddie Woo
The Girl, the Cat & the Navigator by Matilda Woods
One Of Us Is Next by Karen McManus
One Of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
This week, the much-adored Bluey…
A spotlight on The Dog Runner by Bren MacDibble
The Dog Runner by Bren MacDibble is one of the six books shortlisted for this year’s Readings Children’s Book Prize.
Here’s everything you need to know about this gripping, action-packed tale touching on the climate crisis.
‘ The Dog Runner is an action-packed adventure with a highly original premise. The narrative moves along at a breakneck pace, and highlights the importance of resilience and kindness in the face of extreme danger. It’s all too easy to envision the harsh…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
The Dog Runner by Bren MacDibble
How to Make a Movie in Twelve Days by Fiona Hardy
Sherlock Bones and the Natural History Mystery by Renee Treml
E-Boy (E-Boy, Book 1) by Anh Do
The Girl, the Cat & the Navigator by Matilda Woods
Fetch-22 (The Adventures of Dog Man, Book 8) by Dav Pilkey
The Explorer by Katherine Rundell
There are some delightful books in our kids & YA…
The CILIP Carnegie & Kate Greenaway Medals shortlists 2020
The shortlists for the 2020 CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals have been announced.
The Carnegie Medal is awarded by children’s librarians for an outstanding book written in English for children and young people.
Here are the shortlisted books for the 2020 Carnegie Medal:
The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta, illustrated by Anshika Khullar
Nowhere on Earth by Nick Lake
Lark by Anthony McGowan
Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay
Lampie written and illustrated by Annet Schaap and translated…
A spotlight on Sherlock Bones and the Natural History Mystery by Renée Treml
Sherlock Bones and the Natural History Mystery by Renée Treml is one of the six books shortlisted for this year’s Readings Children’s Book Prize.
Here’s everything you need to know about this unique graphic novel.
‘ Sherlock Bones and the Natural History Mystery is a funny, quirky mystery. With lots of natural history facts scattered throughout, there’s plenty to learn within this graphic novel, but none of it gets in the way of fun. This is a book with…
Our favourite worlds in middle grade fantasy
One of the joys of reading fantasy is being transported to other worlds that are breathtakingly different – and fascinatingly similar – to the our own regular human world. Here are some favourite books for children that take us to places strange and wonderful.
All these picks are suitable for ages 9 to 12.
Dragon’s Green by Scarlett Thomas
The first book in Scarlett Thomas’s amazing Worldquake sequence, Dragon’s Green immediately establishes a setting that is equally strange and familiar…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Daisy Runs Wild by Caz Goodwin & Ashley King
Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales
The Dog Runner by Bren MacDibble
The Girl, the Cat & the Navigator by Matilda Woods
Evonne Goolagong (Little People, Big Dreams) by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara & Lisa Koesterke
Guts by Raina Telgemeier
Ninja Clones (Ninja Kid, Book 5) by Anh Do & Anton Emdin
Our kids & YA bestsellers list contains…
Parents recommend bedtime books for babies & toddlers
In (hopeful!) recognition of World Sleep Day, we’ve asked some of the parents who work at Readings to share their favourite bedtime books for babies and toddlers.
“My daughter was a fairly anxious child and always struggled to separate at bedtime and go to sleep, but she was very resistant to any meditation or calming exercises at any time of the day. Between the ages of 3 and 6 I regularly read her stories from the Nightlights anthology. They were…
A spotlight on Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai
Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai is one of the six books shortlisted for this year’s Readings Children’s Book Prize.
Here’s everything you need to know about this moving novel that incorporates comics in its exploration of grief and immigration.
‘ Pie in the Sky is a fresh, clever and moving story with moments of real heartbreak and humour. The characters are relatable, the family relationships are genuine, and Remy Lai’s depiction of grief is honest and accessible…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Fetch-22 (The Adventures of Dog Man, Book 8) by Dav Pilkey
Chain of Gold (The Last Hours, Book 1) by Cassandra Clare
The Secrets of Magnolia Moon by Edwina Wyatt & Katherine Quinn
Sherlock Bones and the Natural History Mystery by Renée Treml
One Of Us Is Next by Karen McManus
The Girl, the Cat & the Navigator by Matilda Woods
It’s a…
Recommended kids books, news & events for March
This month in children’s books we have inventive historical fiction, Pippi Longstocking’s successor, atmospheric fantasy novels and intriguing mysteries galore.
Find our March picks for YA books here.
KIDS BOOK OF THE MONTH
The Ghost of Howlers Beach by Jackie French
Butter O'Bryan lives in a small but comfortable castle with his father and three aunts. When a scruffy three-legged dog drops a human skull at Butter’s feet, everything changes. Suspecting foul play, Butter’s mission to uncover the truth…
A spotlight on The Secrets of Magnolia Moon by Edwina Wyatt
The Secrets of Magnolia Moon by Edwina Wyatt is one of the six books shortlisted for this year’s Readings Children’s Book Prize.
Here’s everything you need to know about this delightful story.
‘ The Secrets of Magnolia Moon is for the whimsical child in your life. A curious and irrepressible nine-year-old, Magnolia is fascinated by mythology and approaches the world with a sense of wonder that’s infectious. The challenges she encounters throughout a single year will be deeply relatable…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
The Smeds and the Smoos by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman & Chris Riddell
Coraline by Neil Gaiman & Dave McKean
Maybe by Kobi Yamada & Gabriella Barouch
The Dog Runner by Bren MacDibble
The Girl, the Cat & the Navigator by Matilda Woods
Young Dark Emu: A Truer History by Bruce Pascoe
Julia Donaldson’s recent visit to Melbourne for The Gruffalo and Friends…
Books to help discuss the bushfire crisis with children
At our recent Wildlife Victoria fundraiser event, Readings children’s book specialist Angela Crocombe, chatted to Professor Harriet Hiscock, Director of Health Service Research Institute at the Royal Children’s Hospital, about how to use stories to talk to kids about this summer’s bushfires. Here, are some of our best recommendations for books can help start conversations about this topic.
Fire by Jackie French & Bruce Whatley
Two of Australia’s most respected children’s books creators come together in this lyrical and…
A spotlight on The Girl, the Cat & the Navigator by Matilda Woods
The Girl, the Cat & the Navigator by Matilda Woods is one of the six books shortlisted for this year’s Readings Children’s Book Prize.
Here’s everything you need to know about this enchanting story.
‘Matilda Woods has crafted an enchanting fairytale about finding family and friendship in unlikely places. Reminiscent of a classic folktale, The Girl, the Cat & the Navigator feels as if it has always been in our consciousness. Woods’s writing is highly skilled and imaginative, and…
The CBCA notable books of 2020
The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) has announced its Notable Books for 2020. Congratulations to all the authors, illustrators and publishers!
The CBCA Awards were first presented in 1946 and are the longest-running book awards in Australia.
CBCA National Chair Professor Margot Hillel OAM says the 2020 Notables List was drawn from 517 entries and is ‘arguably the most diverse award longlist in Australia’.
Here are the notable books for each category.
Older Readers
Books in this category may…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
One Of Us Is Next by Karen McManus
Wombat, Mudlark & Other Stories by Helen Milroy
Sherlock Bones and the Natural History Mystery by Renee Treml
Maybe by Kobi Yamada & Gabriella Barouch
Here in the Real World by Sara Pennypacker
Guts by Raina Telgemeier
Ninja Clones (Ninja Kid, Book 5) by Anh Do
The Secrets of Magnolia Moon by Edwina Wyatt & Katherine Quinn
There are some gorgeous books in our kids…
The CILIP Carnegie & Kate Greenaway Medals longlists 2020
The longlists for the 2020 CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals have been announced.
The Carnegie Medal is awarded by children’s librarians for an outstanding book written in English for children and young people. The Kate Greenaway Medal is awarded by children’s librarians for an outstanding book in terms of illustration for children and young people.
Here are the longlisted books for the 2020 Carnegie Medal:
The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta, illustrated by Anshika Khullar
The Readings Children's Book Prize shortlist 2020
We’re very excited to reveal this year’s shortlist for the Readings Children’s Book Prize. This prize celebrates exciting new voices in Australian children’s literature for readers aged 5 to 12.
The six shortlisted books are:
Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai
The Dog Runner by Bren MacDibble
Wombat, Mudlark & Other Stories by Helen Milroy
Sherlock Bones and the Natural History Mystery by Renée Treml
The Girl, the Cat & the Navigator by Matilda Woods & illustrated by…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Wrecking Ball (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 14) by Jeff Kinney
One Of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Ugly Animals by Sami Bayly
Show Time! (Hotdog, Book 7) by Anh Do
The Conference of the Birds (Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children, Book 5) by Ransom Riggs
The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling by Wai Chim
One Of Us Is Next by Karen McManus
…
Books to help explain Australia's history to kids
The immense popularity of Bruce Pascoe’s Young Dark Emu: A Truer History has demonstrated a thirst for true and balanced accounts of Australian history. Here are some of our favourite books to help explain Australian history to kids.
Young Dark Emu: A Truer History by Bruce Pascoe
This young reader’s version of Bruce Pascoe’s seminal and award-winning work Dark Emu explains that Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at the time of British colonisation were not only hunter-gatherers, but…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Euphoria Kids by Alison Evans
The Beast of Buckingham Palace by David Walliams
Young Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe
David Attenborough (Little People, Big Dreams) by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara & Mikyo Noh
One Of Us Is Next by Karen McManus
All of the Factors of Why I Love Tractors by Davina Bell & Jenny Løvlie
This Is How We Change The Ending by Vikki Wakefield
There are…
Recommended kids books, news & events for February
This month in children’s books you can celebrate nature, animals and Country, embark on magical adventures to distant lands and strange cities, figure your feelings out, and learn about Martin Luther King and David Attenborough.
Find our February picks for YA books here.
KIDS BOOK OF THE MONTH
A new picture book from acclaimed author and illustrator Bronwyn Bancroft is always a treat! Coming Home to Country follows the narrator home to Country and explores her connection to the…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Young Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe
One Of Us Is Next by Karen McManus
Fetch-22 (The Adventures of Dog Man, Book 8) by Dav Pilkey
How to Make a Movie in Twelve Days by Fiona Hardy
The Beast of Buckingham Palace by David Walliams
All the Ways to be Smart by Davina Bell & Allison Colpoys
All of the Factors of Why I Love Tractors by Davina Bell…
The most anticipated children's & young adult books of 2020
2020 already feels like a bumper year for new children’s and young adult books, particularly from local talent.
In March we have a new middle grade novel from Jessica Miller, who has previously been shortlisted for the Readings Children’s Book Prize. It is called The Republic of Birds and I have it on good authority that it is brilliant. Also in March, we have a fantastic debut middle grade novel from fantasy author Alison Croggon called The Threads of…
Exciting children's books to look out for in 2020
It’s a new year and we’re excited about all the fantastic children’s books that will be published in 2020. Here are some of the titles that have already piqued our interest.
For the most anticipated YA books of 2020, check out our comprehensive roundup here.
Picture books
Coming Home to Country by Bronwyn Bancroft (February)
Counting our Country by Jill Daniels (February)
Izzy and Frank by Katrina Lehman & Sophie Beer (February)
Cats Do Not Like Birthdays by Nicki…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Dog Man: Fetch-22 by Dav Pilkey
Young Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe
One Of Us Is Next by Karen McManus
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
The Beast of Buckingham Palace by David Walliams
One Of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
Welcome to Country (Youth Edition) by Marcia Langton
Our kids and YA bestsellers have been populated by the same books all summer; Bluey in all her forms…
Kids books that highlight Australia's unique wildlife
Australia is the home of so much valuable, unique and vulnerable wildlife. With recent bushfires highlighting the urgent need to protect and preserve our animal populations, here are some of our favourite children’s books that show love for Australian wildlife.
Fauna: Australia’s Most Curious Creatures by Tania McCartney
This attractive illustrated guide is the perfect introduction to Australia’s most unique animals, but also contains enough information about habitat, physical characteristics, feeding, breeding and conservation status to please the keenest young…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
One Of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
Dog Man: Fetch-22 by Dav Pilkey
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Young Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe
All of the Factors of Why I Love Tractors by Davina Bell & Jenny Løvlie
The Beast of Buckingham Palace by David Walliams
Guts by Raina Telgemeier
It’s been a while since Bluey has been knocked off the top perch in our kid…
Books to help kids (and parents) prepare for first days
Starting childcare, kindergarten or school can be an exciting, scary and challenging time (for kids and parents!) Reading together about what those first days might be like can provide some comfort. Here are some of our favourite books to help with this big transition.
You can find more recommendations here and here.
Little Nic’s Big Day by Nic Naitanui & Fatima Anaya
This charming picture book is a fictionalised version of West Coast Eagles footballer Nic Naitanui’s first day…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
One Of Us Is Next by Karen McManus
Young Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe
The Beast of Buckingham Palace by David Walliams
Wrecking Ball (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 14) by Jeff Kinney
Guts by Raina Telgemeier
All of the Factors of Why I Love Tractors by Davina Bell & Jenny Løvlie
One Of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
Our kids & YA bestsellers are…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Dog Man: Fetch-22 by Dav Pilkey
The Beast of Buckingham Palace by David Walliams
Guts by Raina Telgemeier
All of the Factors of Why I Love Tractors by Davina Bell & Jenny Løvlie
Eddie Woo’s Magical Maths by Eddie Woo
Sofia Valdez, Future Prez by Andrea Beaty & David Roberts
Explore Your World by Tim Flannery & Sam Caldwell
Our bestselling children’s & YA books of last week include fantastically…
Eight books to read aloud with preschoolers
Kinder- and prep-aged children are often ready for longer story times, as long as you have the right book on hand. Lengthy picture books, highly illustrated chapter books and simple treasuries are perfect for this phase. Here are eight of our best picks for read alouds with ages 3-7.
Wild Honey from the Moon by Kenneth Kraegel
On a cold winter’s eve, deep in the woods, a mother shrew frets about her sick young son. His head is cold and…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Bluey: Time to Play! (Sticker Activity Book)
Bluey: The Beach (A Lift-the-Flap Book)
Dog Man: Fetch-22 by Dav Pilkey
All of the Factors of Why I Love Tractors by Davina Bell & Jenny Lovlie
The Beast of Buckingham Palace by David Walliams
Explore Your World by Tim Flannery & Sam Caldwell
Bluey: Fruit Bat (A Glow-in-the-Dark Book)
Eddie Woo’s Magical Maths by Eddie Woo
Young Dark Emu: A Truer History by Bruce Pascoe
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Animalphabet by Julia Donaldson & Sharon King-Chai
Bluey: Time to Play! (Sticker Activity Book)
Bluey: The Beach (A Lift-the-Flap Book)
Bluey: Fruit Bat (A Glow-in-the-Dark Book)
Eddie Woo’s Magical Maths by Eddie Woo
The Beast of Buckingham Palace by David Walliams
Young Dark Emu: A Truer History by Bruce Pascoe
All of the Factors of Why I Love Tractors by Davina Bell & Jenny Lovlie
Explore Your World by Tim Flannery & Sam Caldwell
Julia Donaldson…
Kids authors share their picks for Christmas gifts
Children’s and YA authors have impeccable taste and tottering reading stacks, so who better to recommend books for kids and teens!
We asked some of our favourite Australian authors to share their hot picks for gifts this festive season.
Sally Rippin recommends…
Funny Bones (edited by Kate and Jol Temple and Oliver Phommavanh) is a brick of a book packed with over 100 stories, cartoons, quizzes, puzzles and jokes from a whole range of fabulous contributors from across the country…
The best books for keeping the kids busy during the holidays
Sometimes it’s nice on the holidays for everyone to busy themselves with a book for a few hours. Here are some of our best suggestions for keeping the kids busy during the Christmas season – from babies through to tweens.
PICKS FOR BABIES, TODDLERS & PRESCHOOLERS
It’s Mine! - Who is hiding in the jungle? Find out by lifting the flaps to spot the animals. You’re sure to enjoy the surprise pop-up ending to this chunky board book. For ages…
Books to read to Baby Yoda
A good way to soothe a Baby Yoda is to read them books that will help them navigate life and recognise objects, events and people around them.
Here are the very best books for storytime with Baby Yoda.
The Iron Man by Ted Hughes
Sometimes your foster dad won’t take off his helmet, and you’re just going to have to be okay with that.
Leap Frog by Jane Clarke & Britta Teckentrup
We know you want to eat that delicious…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Bluey: The Beach (A Lift-the-Flap Book)
Bluey: Time to Play! (Sticker Activity Book)
Bluey: Fruit Bat (A Glow-in-the-Dark Book)
Explore Your World by Tim Flannery & Sam Caldwell
The Beast of Buckingham Palace by David Walliams
Young Dark Emu: A Truer History by Bruce Pascoe
How to Make a Movie in Twelve Days by Fiona Hardy
Wrecking Ball (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 14) by Jeff Kinney
All of the Factors of Why I Love Tractors by Davina Bell…
Our favourite graphic novels & comics for kids in 2019
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be compiling a host of gift guides to help you with your Christmas shopping.
Kids graphic novels are more popular than ever, with a wide variety available across age groups, reading level and genres. Here are some of the children’s graphic novels and comics that have impressed us this year.
Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt and Peanut Butter and Jelly by Ben Clanton
For ages 6 and up
Narwhal (a narwhal) and Jelly (a…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Bluey: Time to Play! (Sticker Activity Book)
Bluey: The Beach (A Lift-the-Flap Book)
Bluey: Fruit Bat (A Glow-in-the-Dark Book)
Wrecking Ball (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 14) by Jeff Kinney
Young Dark Emu: A Truer History by Bruce Pascoe
Explore Your World by Tim Flannery & Sam Caldwell
Guts by Raina Telgemeier
Sofia Valdez, Future Prez by Andrea Beaty & David Roberts
How to Make a Movie in Twelve Days by Fiona Hardy
Eddie Woo’s Magical Maths by Eddie…
Books for Harry Potter fans (that aren't Harry Potter)
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be compiling a host of gift guides to help you with your Christmas shopping.
The Harry Potter books inspire so much love and devotion that they’re an extremely hard reading act to follow. Luckily for you we’ve compiled a list of our sure-fire post-Harry fantasy series to read.
You never really know how it’s going to turn out when an acclaimed adult novelist turns their hand to writing children’s books, but…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Bluey: Time to Play! (Sticker Activity Book)
Bluey: The Beach (A Lift-the-Flap Book)
Bluey: Fruit Bat (A Glow-in-the-Dark Book)
Wrecking Ball (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 14) by Jeff Kinney
Animalphabet by Julia Donaldson & Sharon King-Chai
Explore Your World by Tim Flannery & Sam Caldwell
Welcome to Country (Youth Edition) by Marcia Langton
Guts by Raina Telgemeier
Funny Bones by Kate Temple, Jol Temple & Oliver Phommavanh
Mr Chicken All Over Australia by Leigh Hobbs
It’s a real…
The best junior fiction books of 2019
Every year our staff vote for their favourite books, albums, films and TV shows of the past 12 months. Here are our top 10 junior fiction books of the year, voted for by Readings’ staff, and displayed in no particular order.
(You can find all our best picks for books, music & DVDs of 2019 here.)
Zanzibar by Catharina Valckx
When renowned lizard journalist Achille arrives seeking amazing characters to write about, Zanzibar the crow tries to fit the…
The best middle reader books of 2019
Every year our staff vote for their favourite books, albums, films and TV shows of the past 12 months. Here are our top 10 middle reader books of the year, voted for by Readings’ staff, and displayed in no particular order.
(You can find all our best picks for books, music & DVDs of 2019 here.)
How to Make a Movie in Twelve Days by Fiona Hardy
After a year of preparation, Hayley finally has everything she needs and…
The best picture books of 2019
Every year our staff vote for their favourite books, albums, films and TV shows of the past 12 months. Here are our top 10 picture books of the year, voted for by Readings’ staff, and displayed in no particular order.
(You can find all our best picks for books, music & DVDs of 2019 here.)
All of the Factors of Why I Love Tractors by Davina Bell & Jenny Løvlie
Frankie can’t be deterred from his love of tractors…
Our 2019 Christmas Gift Guide: The hard-to-buy-for kids edition
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be compiling a host of gift guides to help you with your Christmas shopping.
Here is a list of suggestions for the tricky children in your life.
THEY DON’T LIKE READING
The brand-new Bluey books! - They’ve seen the TV show, now they can join Bluey at the beach, or at night, or enjoy some sticker fun. For ages 4 and up.
Beast Feast - A very charming story about…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
Wrecking Ball (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 14) by Jeff Kinney
Bluey: The Beach (A Lift-the-Flap Book)
Bluey: Fruit Bat (A Glow-in-the-Dark Book)
Guts by Raina Telgemeier
Bluey: Time to Play! (Sticker Activity Book)
Explore Your World by Tim Flannery & Sam Caldwell
The Treehouse Joke Book by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
Welcome to Country (Youth Edition) by Marcia Langton
The Australia Survival Guide by George Ivanoff
The Secret Commonwealth (The Book of Dust, Volume 2) by Philip…
Our 2019 Christmas Gift Guide: The kids edition
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be compiling a host of gift guides to help you with your Christmas shopping.
GIFT IDEAS FOR AGES 0-2
Board books make wonderful gifts for little people with chubby little hands and curious eyes, and there are some beautiful options available this year. Artist-designer Beci Orpin’s Dressing Your Family and Moving Your Body have simple text that encourages babies to interact with themselves and their environment, both illustrated in appealing bold blocks of colour…
Our children's & YA top 10 bestsellers of the week
The Secret Commonwealth (The Book of Dust, Volume 2) by Philip Pullman
Young Dark Emu: A Truer History by Bruce Pascoe
Explore Your World by Tim Flannery & Sam Caldwell
Angel Mage by Garth Nix
Golden Unicorn (Rise of the Mythix, Book 1) by Anh Do & Chris Wahl
Bluey: The Beach (A Lift-the-Flap Book) by Bluey
The Tiny Star by Mem Fox & Freya Blackwood
Mr Chicken All Over Australia by Leigh Hobb
Tilly by…
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