Children’s Book Reviews
In a world filled with children’s books, it can sometimes feel overwhelming to find those which reflect your family and your lives.
We have done some of the ground-work for you.
Here you will find books in which breastfeeding , babywearing and family beds are normalised. Books to help toddlers on the journey to weaning. Books for children with big feelings and books about living your best life, whatever that looks like. Families come in all shapes and sizes and here you will see them in all their diversity. We have found books showing children growing up around the world and books showing families navigating big changes.
We have stories which honour the land on which we live and the people who have lived here for tens of thousands of years - and those who have recently arrived. And we have books about the wonderful planet we share, the challenges it faces and the ways we can help. We have books about the beginning of life … and the end and all the stages in between. Books for babies about their world and books for teens as it changes around them.
We love exploring books for children and the adults raising them to share and to enjoy in quiet moments.
We hope you enjoy them too.
Boys Do Cry
Boys Do Cry unfolds the story of a little boy having the absolute worst day—spilled milk, sprained toe, runaway sandwich, desk-tangling dragon—you name it, he endures it. Yet despite the mounting chaos, he holds in his tears, determined to “be big.” It's only when Dad steps in with a hug that the floodgates open—and with that release, the day starts to feel manageable again. Gus Worland’s warm, rhyming narrative confronts the outdated “boys don't cry” stereotype head-on, gently reframing crying as a natural, resilient response to tough emotions. Heath McKenzie’s expressive, playful illustrations beautifully mirror the boy’s emotional journey, blending humour and heart with vibrant energy and empathetic detail .
Guess How I Was Born?
Guess How I Was Born? is a joyous and inclusive picture book that celebrates all the diverse paths babies take into our families. Framed through the upbeat narrative of Violet, who’s enjoying a costume party, the story playfully explores how different children come to be—via IVF, adoption, surrogacy, same-sex parenting, blended families, and more. Susanne Gervay writes with inviting honesty and warmth, ensuring complex family structures are approached with clarity and celebration. Carolyn Daly’s vibrant, playful illustrations enhance the fun tone, reflecting each child’s uniqueness while anchoring the theme of belonging and acceptance .
Don’t Fall for the Trick: A Guide to Smashing Gender Stereotypes
Don’t Fall for the Trick is a bold, colorful picture book that empowers young readers to recognize and challenge everyday gender stereotypes. Through cheerful scenes and accessible examples—“big boys don’t cry,” “girls can’t fix things”—it reveals how these old-fashioned ideas hold us back. Jennifer Bain’s direct, age-appropriate tone invites children to call out ‘the Trick,’ while Scott Stuart’s vibrant illustrations and bold typography bring energy and clarity to the message.
Afloat
Afloat is a gently powerful picture book blending First Nations wisdom, climate awareness, and community in a single visual journey. Written by acclaimed Gunai author Kirli Saunders and beautifully illustrated by Freya Blackwood, the book follows an Elder guiding a child along a transformed waterway. Together they gather reeds and vines, weaving them into a raft—metaphorically representing the strength of connection and collective care in response to environmental upheaval. The soft, earthy illustrations flow seamlessly with Saunders' poetic text: “Here to spin wisdom, to grow…” .
Grandmother from the East, Grandmother from the West
Grandmother from the East, Grandmother from the West is a heartfelt, visually rich picture book celebrating bicultural grandparent-grandchild bonds. Through gentle, lyrical text, it contrasts one grandmother’s heritage from the East—full of dumplings, courage, and dragon spirit—with the other’s Western lineage of bread-making, healing hands, and soothing warmth. Freda Chiu’s expressive illustrations use rich red and blue palettes, symbolic endpapers, and joyful domestic scenes to underscore themes of unity and identity—without ever turning it into a “lesson.”
Hello Baby
Hello Baby is a gentle, realistic picture book that tells the story of a home birth through the eyes of a young boy, Jack, as he waits with his siblings and father for the arrival of a new baby. Set in a cosy rural home, the book introduces children to the sights, sounds, and emotions surrounding birth in a calm and respectful way. The midwife’s role is lovingly portrayed, and the family is shown working together to support the birthing mother. Julie Vivas’ soft, expressive illustrations beautifully match the emotional tone of the story, offering a warm and honest glimpse into the birth exp
Babymoon
This gentle picture book captures the quiet magic of the days following a baby's arrival. In soft, lyrical rhyme, it describes the precious early time spent bonding, recovering, and adjusting. The illustrations are warm and intimate, showing a new family nestled in a cocoon of love and rest.
Booby Moon: A weaning book for toddlers.
Booby Moon is a tender, rhyming picture book designed to support toddlers and their caregivers through the emotional process of weaning from breastfeeding. Authored by Yvette Reid and illustrated by Camilo Zepeda, the story introduces a magical narrative where "booby milk" is sent back to the moon, helping children conceptualize and celebrate this significant transition. The book also includes a gentle parenting guide with practical advice on night weaning, breaking the feed-to-sleep habit, and creating meaningful goodbye rituals .
Family
This lyrical and heartfelt book explores the meaning of family from a First Nations perspective. It centres the connections between people, Country, stories, and community, showing that family is not only about who you live with but also about where you come from and who you belong to.
How To Be A Real Man
This empowering picture book challenges rigid ideas of masculinity by encouraging boys to be true to themselves—whether that means being strong, gentle, emotional, creative, or kind. With rhyming text and bold illustrations, it invites all boys to define manhood on their own terms.
All the World
This lyrical picture book follows a family through the rhythm of an ordinary day—from breakfast and garden play to a beach picnic and bedtime. With poetic text and richly detailed illustrations, it celebrates the beauty in everyday moments and the quiet connections that unite us all.
A Planet Full of Plastic: And How You Can Help
This engaging non-fiction picture book introduces children to the problem of plastic pollution—how it was invented, why it became such a big part of our lives, and the ways it now harms animals and the planet. The book is hopeful and empowering, offering concrete actions that kids (and adults) can take to help.
Baby Business
This powerful picture book welcomes new babies to Country in a traditional smoking ceremony, following the journey of a baby and community through cultural practices, connection to land, and ancestral wisdom. Written and illustrated by a Darug woman, it centres Aboriginal culture and language in a deeply respectful and gentle narrative.
Bee & Me
Told entirely through stunning wordless illustrations, Bee & Me follows the story of a little girl who befriends a tired bee. As she nurtures the bee, she learns about its needs and the importance of pollinators in our world. Their friendship blossoms into a journey of environmental awareness, culminating in a rooftop garden that invites nature to thrive.
All Bodies Are Good Bodies
This bright and inclusive book celebrates the diversity of bodies—big, small, tall, short, with scars, birthmarks, mobility aids, different skin tones, and more. With rhythmic, affirming language, it invites children to see their own body (and others’) as unique, capable, and worthy of love.
Be Your Own Man
This empowering book invites boys to break free from narrow ideas of masculinity. It celebrates emotional expression, creativity, kindness, and the freedom to define yourself beyond traditional gender roles. With inclusive illustrations and affirming language, it encourages boys to be brave, gentle, thoughtful—and most importantly, themselves.
And The People Stayed Home
Inspired by a poem that went viral during the COVID-19 pandemic, this book reflects on a time when the world slowed down. It speaks to the stillness, fear, reflection, healing, and hope that came with global lockdowns, encouraging children to find meaning and connection in times of uncertainty.
Beginnings and Endings with Lifetimes in Between
This gentle, honest book explains that all living things have a beginning and an ending, and that in between is a lifetime. Using examples from nature and everyday life, it introduces the concept of life and death in a calm, accessible way, making space for curiosity, sadness, and understanding.
Brave As Can Be: A Book of Courage
Narrated by a young girl, this book explores what it means to be brave in everyday life—from facing the dark and jumping into the pool, to standing up for yourself and navigating new situations. It celebrates emotional courage and gently encourages children to meet their fears with curiosity and confidence.
Carry Me
This simple, photo-based board book shows real babies being carried in a wide range of ways—slings, wraps, front packs, back carries, in arms, and on hips—all around the world. With just a few words per page, it highlights how universal and loving babywearing is.