2020 Shortlisted Picture StoryBooks RESOURCES
Coming home to country
by Bronwyn Bancroft
‘Run to the creek,
perch on a rock,
slip into clear crystal water.’
An visual and lyrical depiction of coming home to country from acclaimed author and illustrator Bronwyn Bancroft.
Author interview discussing her artwork – ABC Kids (video)
Definitely do not open this book
by Andy Lee and Heath McKenzie
Wizz is back, and he's up to his old tricks again. He DEFINITELY does not want you to read this book, and he'll use every trick he can think of to stop you reaching the end! What disaster awaits at the end of the book this time?
This fun story will delight children and adults alike. Keep turning the pages and find out what happens when you reach the end all over again, if you dare!
I’m Australian too
by Mem Fox and Ronojoy Ghosh
From countries near and far, many have made their home in Australia, sharing it with the original inhabitants, and living in peace beneath the Southern Star.
Mem Fox celebrates Australia’s incredible multicultural heritage in this beautiful book, illustrated by Ronojoy Ghosh.
Author interview – Australia Post Australian Legend for 2019 (video)
Teacher notes from Lamont Books
Learning Time session plan from The Little Big Book Club
Koalas eat gum leaves
by Laura and Philip Bunting
Koalas eat gum leaves. For breakfast, lunch and dinner, and even on their birthdays. Most koalas dont seem to mind. But one does. He is on the lookout for some tastier tucker...and he is about to make a discovery that changes everything. A tale about having too much of a good thing!
Laura Bunting’s website (including activity ideas)
Story Box Library preview (video)
Pig the Grub
by Aaron Blabey
‘Eww! What a stinker!’
Pig isn’t just the world’s greediest Pug,
He’s the dirtiest too.
It’s high time he had a bath!
But try telling Pig that …
Pig the Grub [Pig the Stinker] book trailer
Anagram game - how many words does Aaron Blabey use to describe Pig’s grubbiness?
Sorry Day
by Coral Vass and Dub Leffler
Long ago and not so long ago, the children were taken away, their sorrow echoing across the land. But today there is hope. Today is special. The crowd hums with excitement. Maggie and her mother wait, and then they hear the words:
‘To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters … we say sorry!’
Sorry Day acknowledges the past and shows willingness to make things right.
Coral Vass’s website (includes Teacher Resources)
Teacher notes from Lamont Books
Story Box Library preview (video)
Lesson plan by Copyright Agency Reading Australia
Thelma the unicorn by Aaron Blabey
From the best-selling author of Pig the Pug comes this joyful book about learning to love who you are … even if you don’t have sparkles.
Aaron Blabey reading Thelma the Unicorn (published by Scholastic Australia)
Thelma the Unicorn book trailer
This is a ball
by Beck and Matt Stanton
For the giggling masses who love Herve Tullet’s modern classic Press Here and BJ Novak’s #1 NYT bestseller The Book with No Pictures comes this brilliant Australian book that will frustrate … and delight!
For the Grown-Ups:
You know how you’re right all the time? All. The. Time. Yes, well, it’s time to give the kids a turn. Which is why everything you read in this book is going to be wrong. But that’s okay, because the kids are going to correct you. And they’re going to love it!
Teacher notes from HarperCollins
Too many cheeky dogs
by Johanna Bell and Dion Beasley
‘On Monday
I walked to my auntie’s house
and guess what I saw?
ONE yellow cheeky dog sleeping on the floor.’
So begins this cheeky story set in a remote Indigenous community, romping through numbers, colours and days of the week to the hilarious finale.
Story Box Library preview (video)
The unscary book
by Nick Bland
‘What are you doing here?! This is supposed to be a scary book!'
Nicholas Ickle is back and this time he wants to show us a very scary book. However, as much as he tries, he can't keep away all the lovely and happy things from appearing on the pages.
Story Box Library preview (video)
Activity Time session plan from The Little Big Book Club