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Flip With Joy, Melbourne (2026)

08/09/2026

What would it take to travel 3,300 kilometres across Australia with a half-wild camel? This incredible narrative non-fiction picture book tells the true story of Tiki and his rider, Jill, who entered the Great Australian Camel Race in 1988!

Their journey takes them from Uluru all the way to the Gold Coast, but it is far from smooth sailing. Tiki is stubborn and refuses to follow the rest of the pack, while Jill is determined to succeed despite having no experience with camels.

From the very beginning, the journey is treacherous and filled with challenges. But as Tiki and Jill face trouble along the way, they slowly learn how to communicate and compromise with one another. Their perseverance pays off when they place sixth in the race!

The real photos in the book’s endpapers are a wonderful addition, bringing this remarkable adventure to life. There is also a detailed note from Dr Jill Colwell at the end, sharing more about her incredible experience.

A fascinating story of friendship, resilience and adventure. This would be perfect for the classroom to supplement units on Australian history or geography.

Tiki and Jill and the Great Australian Camel Race is written by Kate Simpson and Dr Jill Colwell and illustrated by Craig Smith Thank you to Allen & Unwin for our review copy.

31/08/2026

This joyous book is an ode to fathers everywhere and a celebration of the multitude of roles that they play in a family.

From telling silly jokes to hiding out in bathrooms to tackling monsters on behalf of their kids, great dads make everyday moments feel that much more special. Written in lively, rhythmic rhyme, the text in this one is so much fun to read aloud. The vibrant and detailed illustrations do a brilliant job in bringing the text to life. I couldn’t help but smile as I pored through the pages of this one!

It’s the perfect bookish gift for a father figure this Father’s Day. Be sure to check it out!

The Thing About Dads is written by Deborah Frenkel and illustrated by Children’s Book Illustrator & Author | Daniel Gray-Barnett Thank you to Thames & Hudson Australia for our review copy.

30/08/2026

Duck from the Funny Kid series is finally the star of his very own, absolutely hilarious, book!

Duck: Look Who’s Talking is told from the animals’ perspective, giving readers their very entertaining take on human behaviour. Duck is devastated when the old theatre is no longer there, and he is especially outraged by the opening of a new café owned by Eon, who Duck thinks is a highly suspicious individual.

Together with his friends Mouse and Dog, Duck hatches a plan to disrupt the café’s opening. Of course, a series of entertaining antics follows as the trio attempt to put their plan into action!

This is such an enjoyable read, filled with wit and humour that readers will love. I also really enjoyed the comic strips that appear throughout the book. They add an extra layer of engagement and are a fun way to bring the characters’ thoughts and antics to life.

A fantastic read for fans of the Funny Kid series, and there’s even more to look forward to with the next book in the series coming out on 1 September! ❤️

Duck: Look Who’s Talking is written by Matt Stanton Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books for our review copy.

26/08/2026

“Fortune favours the bold” is Alfie Wilson’s father’s motto as he sells their family home in Bathurst and takes his family of 5 to the Hill End goldfields in search of a better life.

Eleven-year-old Alfie and his brother are swept up in the excitement of the gold rush, imagining all the possibilities ahead, dreaming of becoming the “Wealthy Wilsons”. But when the mine their father has bought a stake in proves to be far from viable, the family’s hopes of finding their fortune begin to fade.

Hill End Gold gives readers a glimpse into life on the goldfields, including the trials and tribulations faced by families searching for a new beginning. Through Alfie’s story, readers are reminded of the importance of staying hopeful and supporting one another when life doesn’t go according to plan.

This is an engaging historical-fiction read that would make a fantastic classroom novel for students learning about the Australian gold rush. A story filled with determination, family and a fascinating piece of Australian history ❤️

Hill End Gold is written by Sue Whiting Thank you to Walker Books Australia for our review copy.

21/08/2026

“The Frumpling lived a lonely life, and I shall tell you why. He smelled and looked so squaffy, every beast just walked on by”

Meet the Frumpling, a lonely creature who’s avoided because he smells! When the bossy Poppletort tells him to clean himself up, the Frumpling is faced with another problem. All he has to wear is his smelly old shirt!

As the creatures of Pontin Poole begin to realise that they’ve been unkind to the Frumpling, they decide to make things right. They gather him a pile of new clothes to wear, but things don’t quite go as they expect. The cheeky ending makes for plenty of giggles!

Written in playful rhyme, this is such a fun story to read aloud with younger readers. The charming and warm illustrations bring the creatures of Pontin Poole and the Frumpling’s story beautifully to life.

The Frumpling is written by Jo van der Borgh and illustrated by Jo Beasley Thank you to Walker Books Australia for our review copy.

19/08/2026

Oceanforged is a fast-paced fantasy series filled with adventure, mystery and a ragtag crew that you’ll be cheering for from the very beginning!

In Oceanforged: The Wicked Ship, readers are introduced to thirteen-year-old Cori, an orphaned girl who’s had a difficult life. After a series of unfortunate events, she finds herself working as a deckhand on a ship with a terrible captain. But when she is sent to retrieve a weapon from a booby-trapped vault, she discovers the Oceanforged Gauntlet. Once belonging to the legendary Champions who protected the islands of Aquinta, the gauntlet chooses Cori as its new champion!

Joined by her new friends Tarn and Jem, Cori sets off on a quest to find the remaining pieces of mystical armour. In Oceanforged: The Silent Island, the trio sail to Mutemont, an island that is treacherous to reach. They’ll need to work together to survive the wild creatures and hazardous natural environment as they continue their search so that Cori can master all the powers of the Champions!

The third book in the series has recently been released, so there’s even more of Cori’s journey to discover!

The Oceanforged series is written by Amelia Mellor Thank you to Affirm Press Simon & Schuster AU for our review copies.

13/08/2026

Ready to take a trip around Australia and meet some incredible native bees? 🐝

This narrative non-fiction book follows Little Bee on a journey across the country, where she meets fascinating bees that call different parts of Australia home. From a fluffy teddy bear bee flying over the Blue Mountains to a leafcutter bee in Coober Pedy, there’s heaps to discover along the way!

Through the book, readers are also introduced to different state flowers, making this a lovely way to learn more about Australia’s unique natural world. The double-page picture glossary is a wonderful addition, highlighting even more native bees and inviting readers to take a closer look.

The vibrant and detailed illustrations bring each location and bee beautifully to life. Written with rhythmic, rhyming text, this is an engaging one to read aloud, perfect for little nature lovers!

Down the Bush Track, Little Bee is written by and illustrated by Sarah Jane Lightfoot Thank you to Affirm Press for our review copy.

09/08/2026

If you’re looking for a mystery series that’s funny, engaging and full of heart, you’ll definitely want to meet Freddie Jones!

The protagonist of the series is Freddie. Readers soon learn that he’s autistic. His candid internal monologue gives readers a wonderful insight into how his brain works, while also making him a memorable and relatable character. Along with his Grandma Lilly and assistance dog, Hobnob, Freddie finds himself at the centre of some very intriguing mysteries.

Both books are humorous, engaging and wonderfully written. It’s been lovely to see Freddie grow as a character through the series. Swipe through for a closer look at each of the books!

The Freddie Jones series is written by Kate Foster Thank you to Walker Books Australia for our review copies.

In The Mystery of the Troublesome Trees, Freddie and his family are staying at a resort in the Daintree Forest, where his parents have taken on a new job. When unexpectedly fast-growing trees begin appearing in random places around the resort, and the local wildlife starts behaving strangely, Freddie knows there’s a mystery that needs solving!

In The Mystery of the Troublesome Trees, Freddie and his family are staying at a resort in the Daintree Forest, where his parents have taken on a new job. When unexpectedly fast-growing trees begin appearing in random places around the resort, and the local wildlife starts behaving strangely, Freddie knows there’s a mystery that needs solving!

In The Mystery of the Troublesome Trees, Freddie and his family are staying at a resort in the Daintree Forest, where his parents have taken on a new job. When unexpectedly fast-growing trees begin appearing in random places around the resort, and the local wildlife starts behaving strangely, Freddie knows there’s a mystery that needs solving!

The second book, The Mystery of the Ghostly Garden, takes readers to Langbourne Hotel in London. While Freddie’s parents investigate a series of thefts, Grandma Lilly doesn’t seem like her usual cheerful self. Freddie encounters a girl he believes may be a ghost, and strange happenings around

03/08/2026

If you had a day off school, what would be the first thing on your to-do list? For Herbie, who’s staying home because of the sniffles, it’s a great opportunity to spend the whole day doing exactly what he likes!

He gets busy building a fort, playing Space Blasters and drawing pictures. By lunchtime, Herbie’s done it all and starts to think about school and all the exciting things he might be missing out on. Could pirates be invading? Or perhaps aliens are giving everyone rides in their spaceships!

This is a humorous and entertaining story that captures the excitement of a free day, alongside that familiar feeling of wondering what’s happening when you’re not there! The vibrant and imaginative illustrations bring Herbie’s big thoughts and wild ideas to life in such a fun way.

A Day Off School is written by Oliver Jeffers and illustrated by kevin waldron . Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books

30/07/2026

A book for the information-hungry, animal lover in your life! There’s so much information packed into this accessibly written, fact-filled and entertaining book!

Did you know that hippos can’t actually swim and that they actually walk on river beds when they’re underwater? Or that there are reindeer whose eyes change colour with the seasons from gold to blue?
I certainly didn’t know any of this! This is a book that’ll leave any reader wanting more.

Broken up into six sections, this non-fiction read dishes out weird and fascinating facts about mammals, invertebrates, fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Readers also get to test their knowledge at the end of each section with a quick quiz!

Mr 11 and I absolutely enjoyed this one!

What’s the Weirdest Thing About Animals? is written by Edward Brooke-Hitching and illustrated by Jez Tuya Thank you to Bloomsbury Children’s Books for our review copy.

Flip With Joy

08/09/2026

31/08/2026

30/08/2026

26/08/2026

21/08/2026

19/08/2026

13/08/2026

09/08/2026

03/08/2026

30/07/2026

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