Picture Books

Just Because | Mac Barnett & Isabelle Arsenault | $24.99 | Walker Books | Ages 3+ I was an anxious child and a bad sleeper. I tormented my parents for years! So I can strongly relate to the little girl in this story, being put to bed by her father and delaying his departure with relentless, increasingly random questions. Why is the ocean blue? What happened to the dinosaurs? Why do we have to sleep? Her dad’s answers aren’t exactly what you’d expect, but with the incredible Mac Barnett penning the tale we shouldn’t be surprised! The poeticism and whimsy of his responses are exquisitely—and I mean EXQUISITELY—depicted by Isabelle Arsenault’s illustrations. Just Because is a breathtaking, thought-provoking work of art that doubles as the perfect bedtime story.

— Kate

Mr Chicken All Over Australia | Leigh Hobbs | $24.99 | Allen & Unwin | Ages 4+ Australia might be big, but have you met Mr Chicken? He’s HUGE! And after receiving letters from children all over Australia (make sure you have a good look at the endpapers!) Mr Chicken wants to see the entire country. With the help of a trusty marsupial friend to organise his itinerary, Mr Chicken is en route, and he is clucking excited to get here. Mr Chicken All Over Australia is a brilliant new book in the wonderfully funny Mr Chicken series by Australian Children’s Laureate and national treasure Leigh Hobbs.

— Olivia

The Crayons’ Christmas | Drew Daywalt & Oliver Jeffers | $27.99 | HarperCollins | Ages 3+ The wait for the next Crayons book is over! And this may just be the perfect kids book for the festive season. Coming from Daywalt and Jeffers it is, of course, hilarious. It’s also super interactive–readers join in the fun as Duncan, the Crayons and their families celebrate the festive season. There are folded letters to pull from their envelopes and read, games, press-out ornaments, a poster, and even a pop-up Christmas tree! It’s the perfect gift for fans of The Day the Crayons Quit and The Day the Crayons Came Home. Like me, the Crayons know the best presents are the ones you give. Just be sure to give the gift of Crayons!

— John

The Fate of Fausto | Oliver Jeffers | $29.99 | HarperCollins | Ages 4+ This is another Jeffers masterpiece. A modernday fable, this is a timely story about a man who sets out to own the world only to meet his comeuppance. The gorgeously retro, painterly style is both a product of Jeffers’ approach as well as the tools he sought out in the production of this book, including a 200-yearold lithography press in Paris. Combined with the smaller format, the unique printing process has produced a book more reminiscent of the classic storybooks from the 1920s and ‘30s. A must-read for kids and adults alike! — John

All of the Factors of Why I Love Tractors | Davina Bell & Jenny Lovlie | $24.99 | Hardie Grant Egmont | Ages 3+ All of the Factors of Why I Love Tractors is, if you can believe it, not just a detailed account of why young Frank loves tractors. It is also a gorgeous tribute to childhood (and potentially lifelong) obsessions. Frank and his mother take a trip to the library and Frank knows exactly which book he wants to take home—one on tractors that he already knows by heart. When his mum despairs, he reassures her, “I like books–that’s what matters. Not what they’re about.” Us booksellers agree! — Kate

Love Around the World | Fleur Pierets & Fatinha Ramos | $29.99 | NewSouth Books | Ages 4+ When Fleur and Julian decide to get married, they set out to experience the marriage traditions of the relatively few countries around the world where same-sex marriage is legal. Based on a true story, this is the first of two picture books and here they visit 12 countires, including Australia. The stunning, colourful illustrations depicting cultural and gender diversity would make both a beautiful gift for adults and a wonderful starting point for discussions with curious youngsters. — Mandy

The Return of Thelma the Unicorn | Aaron Blabey | $17.99 | Scholastic | Ages 3+ International superstar Thelma the Unicorn is back! Disillusioned with fame and stardom, Thelma shunned the spotlight for a quiet life in the fields with her best friend Otis. The world was plunged into sadness, and her adoring fans were left begging for her return. But it is Otis—her biggest fan—who persuades a reluctant Thelma to once more don her glitter and sparkle and hit the road, spreading love and happiness as only this fabulous pink, glittery unicorn can. “There’s nothing wrong with make-believe. You can be a star... as long as you remember what you love and who you are.”

— Mandy

Sofia Valdez, Future Prez | Andrea Beaty & David Roberts | $24.99 | Thames & Hudson | Ages 5+ I will never tire of the Questioneers series. As parents and teachers will know, our kids here are aware of the state of American politics (and I’ve overheard some very astute commentary!) so I believe they will happily follow Beaty and Roberts as they move from STEM topics to social studies with this new story about Sofia. Sofia, classmate to Iggy, Rosie and Ada, has an idea—she wants to turn the town landfill into a park, but adults quickly quash this ambition. Sofia must draw on her courage and determination to rally her community and make positive changes. This is another powerful story, told with the duo’s trademark gusto, which is sure to fuel the imaginations and ambitions of all readers. — Kate

The Inner Child | Henry Blackshaw | $14.99 | Thames & Hudson | Ages 5+ Grown-ups are a mystery, even to adults! We all started life as children and we all still carry that child with us everywhere we go. With his debut picture book The Inner Child, adapted from a zine, Melbourne author/illustrator Blackshaw explores the concept of the inner child with an open letter which encourages kids to look for the child inside every adult, and simulateneously urges adults to treasure and take care of their inner child. His charming line drawings have a similar energy to the work of Oliver Jeffers, and the eccentric, soulful story reminds me of Mac Barnett and Carson Ellis—and they are two of my all-time favourite picture book authors, so that is quite a compliment!

— Kate

I See, I See | R. Henderson | $19.99 | Allen & Unwin | Ages 3+ It’s a question of perspective, like in all stories: what we see is not necessarily what someone else sees. Henderson is one of those great children’s authors who gets your kids engaged in the physical and mental activity of the reading of a book. This is an interactive and fun picture book, specially made to share with someone sitting directly across from you. I See, I See can also take you beyond the first throw of visual effect; it sparks thoughts about life. What we see—and what we think, and what we feel—is sometimes only one side of the coin.

— Fabienne

Three | Stephen Michael King | $24.99 | Scholastic | Ages 3+ Well, this story of a three-legged stray dog finding a fur-ever home warmed my heart so much I cried in public. Three spends his days wandering the city streets, content to follow his nose wherever it leads him, meeting new and familiar creatures and humans. One, two, three, one, two, three, a hop and a skip and a hop and a skip, he roams. But the life of a wanderer can get lonely. When Three meets a little girl who takes a particular shine to him, he learns he could have a different life—he could have a family. King’s evocative illustrations bring this sweet story to life, making it a must-have for all animalloving families.

— Kate