18 January 2026
The painted ponies.
Written and illustrated by Alison Lester.
Allen & Unwin, 2019.
Australian.
Picture book.
Reminiscences of a grandmother about life in a circus, and
when her ponies were real, and not toys based on them.
Possible read-alongs:
- Grandad’s magic by Bob Graham.
- Cowboy Cam by William Russell and Sian Moore.
- When we go to Grandma's house by Candy Bee and Corrie Gorman.
A love as full as the moon.
Written by Lucy Tandon Copp.
Illustrated by Sienna Youngsun Kim.
Puffin, 2025.
Picture book.
A child, with dual heritage, tries to minimise those things
which make her different from her classmates – and thus, important aspects of
herself.
Her white-appearing father helps her see how she is made up
of all her family members.
In embracing, and showing, her heritage – she helps others
in her class share their heritage.
Possible read-alongs:
- Luna loves dance by Joseph Coelho and Fiona Lumbers.
- Big love by Megan Jacobson and illustrated by Beck Feiner.
- Sora's seashells by Helena Ku Rhee, Stella Lim, and Ji-Hyuk Kim.
Mayhem at the museum: a book in pictures.
Illustrated by Luciano Lozano.
Penguin Workshop, 2020.
Picture book.
Wordless.
Artwork leaves their frames, and joins in a class visit to
the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York).
Possible read-alongs:
- Katie and the Mona Lisa by James Mayhew.
- Willy’s pictures by Anthony Browne.
- My museum by Joanne Liu.
- Time flies by Eric Rohmann.
Neighbourhood nest.
Written and illustrated by Sarah Jane Lightfoot.
Affirm Press, 2025.
Australian.
Picture book.
Rhyming text.
A great way to introduce Australian birds, their eggs, and
their nests.
Possible read-alongs:
- The story of the little mole who knew it was none of his business by Werner Holzwarth and Wolf Erlbruch.
- A home is a nest by Emma Carlisle.
- Five wee pūteketeke by Nicola Toki & Jo Pearson.
- The best nest by P.D. Eastman.
- Whose home is this? by Gillian Candler and Fraser Williamson.
Shibu's tail.
Written by Tess Thomas.
Illustrated by Kamwei Fong.
Allen & Unwin, 2025.
Australian.
Picture book.
Shibu, a cat, tries to conform by hiding their feelings – as
shown by their tail – but it all goes wrong.
Possible read-alongs:
- A guide to rocks by Sacha Cotter and Josh Morgan.
- Bear by Natalia Shaloshvili.
- Katinka's tail by Judith Kerr.
- Love tails by Rob Sayegh Jr.
You can sit with me.
Written by Rachel Tawil Kenyon.
Illustrated by Tatiana Kamshilina.
Feiwel and Friends, 2025.
Picture book.
Rhyming text.
Friendship and reassurance.
Possible read-alongs:
- The invisible by Tom Percival.
- Luli and the language of tea by Andrea Wang and Hyewon Yum.
- The friendship bench by Wendy Meddour and Daniel Egnéus.
- The together tree by Aisha Saeed and LeUyen Pham.
- The invisible boy by Trudy Ludwig and Patrice Barton.
- The boy with flowers in his hair by Jarvis.
My best friend Tilly. [Originally published in Greek as Tata.]
Written and illustrated by Iris Samartzi.
Translated by Ikaros Publishing.
Picture book.
When your imagination gets out of hand.
Childlike illustrations make it seem like it is all out of
the narrator’s child head.
Possible read-alongs:
- Let's rumble!: a rough-and-tumble book of play by Rachel G. Payne and Jose Pimienta.
- A recipe for magic potion by Jack Henseleit and Natasja Horne.
My friend, Billy Whiskers.
Written and illustrated by David Litchfield.
Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 2025.
Picture book.
Imaginary friend in childhood – but also their ongoing
influence and importance through life.
Possible read-alongs:
- Scribbly by Ged Adamson.
- Real to me by Minh Lê and Raissa Figueroa.
- Jim's lion by Russell Hoban and Ian Andrew.
Noni the pony.
Written and illustrated by Alison Lester.
Allen and Unwin, 2010.
Australian.
Picture book.
Rhyming.
Cute story of a pony and her friends, and how they support
and care for each other.
Possible read-alongs:
- Bearsuit Turtle by Bob Shea.
- Pebble the Pony by Benedict Blathwayt.
Going for pippies.
Written by Wilaaran Laurie.
Illustrated by Tori-Jay Mordey.
Magabala Books Aboriginal Corporation, 2025.
Australian.
Picture book.
First Nations / Indigenous creators.
Traditional food gathering.
Possible read-alongs:
- Pipi dance by Angie Belcher and Lily Uivel.
- The pipi swing by Sarona Aiono-Iosefa and Bruce Potter.
- Going fishing with Nana by Frances and Lindsay Haji-Ali, and Karen Briggs.
- Nana's koha by Tunney McFadyen and Theresa Reihana.
- Watercress by Andrea Wang and Jason Chin.
- Nanny Mihi's harvest = Te hauhake a Nanny Mihi by Melanie Drewery and Suzanne Simpson; te reo Māori translation by Kanapu Rangitauira.
Night light.
Written and illustrated by Michael Emberley.
Holiday House, 2025.
Graphic novel.
A first graphic novel.
A lovely tale of family and light.
Possible read-alongs: Picture books:
- Forts by Katie Venit and Kenard Pak.
- Lights on Cotton Rock by David Litchfield.
- The star maker's apprentice by Sam Hay & Xin Li.
- Pajammin'! by Ziggy Marley and Letícia Moreno, inspired by the song "Jamming" by Bob Marley.
- Bear and Bird: the stars and other stories by Jarvis.
- Boom! by Paul Meisel.
- We are growing by Laurie Keller.
Hot food: nice!
Written by Michael Rosen.
Illustrated by Neal Layton.
Walker Books, 2025.
Picture book.
This didn’t go how I expected – and it’s great! I obviously
haven’t seen the video, which has gone viral.
Read alongside Chocolate cake by Michael Rosen and
Kevin Waldron.
Dude. Be nice.
Written by Sarah Scheerger with Brent & Jamie Camalich.
Illustrated by Alex Macnaughton.
Scholastic Australia, 2026.
Picture book.
Misplaced kindness. Lessons in consent.
Possible read-alongs:
- Zak and his good intentions by J. Samia Mair and Omar Burgess.
- Punch! a story about kindness by Michael Hall.
- Whoa Panda! by C.S. Jennings.
- Don't hug Doug (he doesn't like it) by Carrie Finison and Daniel Wiseman.
- Big Dog is a big help by Sally Rippin and Lucinda Gifford.
Perla and the pirate.
Written by Isabel Allende.
Illustrated by Sandy Rodriguez.
Bloomsbury Publishing, 2025.
Picture book.
Sequel to Perla, the mighty dog.
Diverse characters, including one in a wheelchair.
A rescue dog with special powers – including the power to
see beyond the obvious.
Possible read-alongs:
- That's not Stella by Donna Fredin.
- Three by Stephen Michael King.
- Punk rocker poodle by Laura Dockrill and Sandhya Prabhat.
The Rock family band.
Written by Robert Tregoning.
Illustrated by Laura Brenlla.
Oxford University Press, 2025.
Picture book.
Rhyming.
Not fitting in with your family – but then finding out, you
do.
Possible read-alongs:
- I really, really don’t like parties by Angie Morgan.
- Heavy metal badger by Duncan Beedie.
- Punk rocker poodle by Laura Dockrill and Sandhya Prabhat.
Poles apart.
Written by Jeanne Willis.
Illustrated by Jarvis.
Nosy Crow, 2025.
Picture book.
When you read the map incorrectly, you may end up on the
other side of the world, making new friends.
Possible read-alongs:
- Lost and found by Oliver Jeffers.
- Not quite narwhal by Jessie Sima.
- Patrick and Flippa by Wendy Meddour and Merle Goll.
- Much too busy by John Bond.
I am Bat.
Written by Morag Hood.
Two Hoots, 2017.
Picture book.
The mystery of missing cherries.
I’m not too sure about this one, as Bat isn’t always upside
down – which I feel they should be.
Possible read-alongs:
- Ursula upside down by Corey R. Tabor.
- The mystery of the missing cake by Claudia Boldt.
- Donut touch! by Seb Davey and Alex Willmore.
- The very special thing by Alex Willmore.
Never let a dinosaur scribble.
Written and illustrated by Diane Alber.
Sourcebooks Wonderland, 2025.
Picture book.
Scribbles are the basis of art.
Part of a series.
Possible read-alongs:
- The boy who painted the world by Tom McLaughlin.
- Ish by Peter H. Reynolds.
- Sometimes you find a dragon by Viviane Schwarz.
- Never dance with a dinosaur by Pamela Butchart and Marc Boutavant.
Tony the moany groany pony.
Written and illustrated by Sean E Avery.
Scholastic Press, 2025.
Australian.
Picture book.
Conversation between narrator and Tony, the pony.
Just a bit too whiny.
Possible read-alongs:
- Blue whale blues by Peter Carnavas.
- A very cranky book by Angela & Tony DiTerlizzi.
Jonathan the Magic Pony.
Written by Stuart Heritage.
Illustrated by Nicola Slater.
Puffin, 2020.
Picture book.
Jonathan’s magic doesn’t quite go to plan – and then he
moves on to a new hobby.
Possible read-alongs:
- Tiny T. Rex and the grand ta-da! by Jonathan Stutzman and Jay Fleck.
- Zebracadabra! by Kes Gray and Fred Blunt.
- The Bad Bunnies' Magic Show by Mini Grey.
Sounds like Joy.
Written and illustrated by Yesenia Moises.
Versify, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2025.
Picture book.
Found sounds, and friendship.
Possible read-alongs:
- Oona by Kelly DiPucchio and Raissa Figueroa.
- Music is in everything by Ziggy Marley and Ag Jatkowska.
- Nightsong by Sally Soweol Han.
- All join in by Quentin Blake.
- Bertie and the bear by Pamela Allen.
- The big-time boogie-woogie animal band by Giles Andreae and Nick East.
- Perfect harmony by Kristina Stephenson and Alex Willmore.
The real cowgirl.
Written by Isabelle Duff.
Illustrated by Susannah Crispe.
EK Books, 2024.
Australian.
Picture book.
Point of view of a young girl’s pony. Shyness and anxiety at
school.
Possible read-alongs:
- Amoya Blackwood is brave by Chantaie Allick and Aaron Marin.
- Free to be fabulous! by David McMullin and Robbie Cathro.
- Elephant's big solo by Sarah Kurpiel.
- Filo's butterflies by Litea Fuata and Myo Yim.
- Violet's Tempest by Ian Eagleton & Clara Anganuzzi.
- My beautiful voice by Joseph Coelho & Allison Colpoys.
Isla & Pickle: best friends.
Written and illustrated by Kate McLelland.
Picture Kelpies, an imprint of Floris Books, 2017.
Scottish.
Picture book.
Friendship between a young girl and a miniature pony, who
lives next door. Will Dad cave and let her keep Pickle forever?
Possible read-alongs:
- Lucy and Copper by Mandy Foot.
- The man who didn't like animals by Deborah Underwood and LeUyen Pham.
- I want a dog by Jon Agee.
- "Let's get a pup!" by Bob Graham.
When science stood still: how S. Chandrasekhar predicted
the existence of black holes.
Written by Shruthi Rao.
Illustrated by Srinidhi Srinivasan.
Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2025.
Biography.
Sophisticated picture book.
Poignant and beautiful.
Possible read-alongs:
- Pollen: Darwin's 130 year prediction by Darcy Pattison and Peter Willis.
- I'm a black hole by Dr. Eve M. Vavagiakis and Jessica Lanan.
- Just right: searching for the Goldilocks planet by Curtis Manley and Jessica Lanan.
- The girl who drew butterflies: how Maria Merian's art changed science by Joyce Sidman.
- Stay curious!: a brief history of Stephen Hawking by Kathleen Krull and Paul Brewer; and Boris Kulikov.
Pebble the Pony.
Written and illustrated by Benedict Blathwayt.
BC Books, an imprint of Birlinn Limited, 2024.
Picture book.
Friendship between a moorland pony and an ‘old lady’ – after
an adventure in the town.
Possible read-alongs:
- Noni the pony by Alison Lester.
- Pony in the city by Wendy Wahman.
- Wolf in the city Rachel Tilda Wolf.
- Robbit the job-hopping frog by Michael Gerard Bauer and Katrin Dreiling.
- The truck cat by Deborah Frenkel and Danny Snell.
Bored.
Written and illustrated by Felicita Sala.
Picture book.
Bored attacks – and then is abated with imaginary play.
Possible read-alongs:
- The boring book by Shinsuke Yoshitake.
- Eva's imagination by Wenda Shurety and Karen Erasmus.
- I’m bored by Michael Ian Black and Debbie Ridpath Ohi.
- Put your shoes on by Polly Dunbar.
Snow kid.
Written and illustrated by Jessie Sima.
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2025.
Picture book.
Becoming and growing.
Possible read-alongs:
- Becoming Charley by Kelly DiPucchio and Loveis Wise.
- My self, your self by Esmé Shapiro.
- The bunyip of Berkeley's Creek by Jenny Wagner and Ron Brooks.
- The only dinosaur in school by Leonie Agnew and Julia Hegetusch.
Broken.
Written and illustrated by X. Fang.
Tundra, 2025.
Oh, no! Mei Mei accidentally breaks her ama’s cup – but is
her grandmother angry?
Possible read-alongs:
- It's not my fault! by Jory John and Jared Chapman.
- Snake's big mistake by Sarah Kurpiel.
- How to apologize by David LaRochelle and Mike Wohnoutka.
- Happy birthday to me by Stacy Gregg and Ruth Paul.
Pajammin'!
Written by Ziggy Marley.
Illustrated by Letícia Moreno.
Inspired by the song "Jamming" by Bob Marley.
Clarion Books, 2025.
A wonderful family story, which may inspire some family traditions.
Possible read-alongs:
- Dino pajama party: a bedtime book by Laurie Wallmark and Michael Robertson.
- Cuddle time by Libby Gleeson and Julie Vivas.
- Wrapping things by Linda Burgess and Hilary Jean Tapper.
- A grand day by Jean Reidy and Samantha Cotterill.
- Don't be silly! by Padmacandra.
Survival of the fittest. 6 fierce animal competitors, 3
shark judges, 1 winner: who will come out on top?
Written by Rebecca Donnelly.
Illustrated by Misa Saburi.
Henry Holt and Company, 2024.
Graphic novel.
Sequel is Survival of the fittest. Who's got the best
medicine?
Engaging way to share animal facts.
Possible read-alongs:
- Extreme animal rumble: 5 books in 1! by Jerry Pallotta and Rob Bolster.
- Book of bones: 10 record-breaking animals by Gabrielle Balkan and Sam Brewster.
- 24 hours in the kiwi bush by Gilliam and David Torckler.
