Not only is it vital for developing literacy, a good vocabulary and a vivid imagination, it also allows children to dream big, be inspired and fall in love with the many characters and stories which fill the well-worn pages of their books.

Story time doesn’t need to be monotonous, Thanks to the Global Space Education Foundation Story Time From Space is now a real thing, and it is every bit inspiring and engaging as it sounds.

Story Time….FROM SPACE

Born from the desire to introduce and encourage STEM to children Story Time From Space is a brilliant initiative dreamed up by educator Patricia Tribe and astronaut Alvin Drew. 

The premise is simple – real astronauts are filmed as they gently float within their space station and read a science-themed children’s book to a camera. 

Astronaut Storytelling

These videos are not only intriguing but also a little mesmerising, easily succeeding in their mission to inspire and engage young minds.

In each clip, you are introduced to the astronaut who will be reading a book to the camera but as soon as the video cuts to them it is immediately apparent this is going to be different to anything your child may have seen before. 

While the astronaut introduces and reads the story, it is all the incredible things going on in the background that will instantly draw the audience in (both young and old).  

The videos are filmed by the astronauts and edited prior to being uploaded and include cutaway close-up shots of the book’s illustrated pages as well.  Some of these include small animated sections or pans to help illustrate the tale.  

On top of this, at the end of some videos, we learn a little more about the featured astronaut.  

Aside from being science-themed, the chosen books have a wide range of reading levels (though all can be read in 15 minutes or less) and cover a range of STEM topics, from physics to engineering to biology.

What We Thought About Story Time from Space

There are so many obvious reasons why we love this initiative.  Aside from the fact it is a super cool alternative to hearing a story, it also allows for so much more learning to occur.

So far, my children and I have watched four of these videos.  Each one a couple of times (at least). With ages ranging from 3 to 8, the level of understanding as to where the astronauts are, what they are doing, why they are doing it and how it is that we are able to watch them varies greatly and I find that at numerous times throughout the video I need to pause it so that we can explore some of their questions.  

How to make the most of the space read

Do a watch-through first, to hear the story uninterrupted.  Then, watch again, stopping to answer questions.  And believe me, there are usually lots!  

Even more awesome is the fact the stories are read by astronauts of different ages, gender and nationality – which is a fantastic way to demonstrate to children that regardless of who you are or where you come from you really can achieve anything you put your mind to.

Who is going to enjoy this?

Children of all-ages (even the cool big kids who think they are too old to be read to) will love Story Time from Space. Those with a keen interest in STEM and space will particularly love these videos. 

Although not intended to replace the one-on-one adult-child reading time, these videos are a great option for mixing things up and adding a little excitement to the usual routine every now and then.  

Science Time From Space

With all the popularity of Story Time From Space, the team have now begun creating science experiments in space.

Science Time From Space has been designed to complement the concepts found within the selected children’s books and cover key concepts from the science curriculum  including heat transfer, light, buoyancy, the effect of gravity on humans and more.

What better way to introduce STEM to our children too, than via the wonderful real world of storytelling from space?  

We all know that reading is one of the most fundamental skills we can acquire. Proven to enhance our cognitive, communication and emotional skills (among many others), the list of why we are taught to read from a young age and encouraged to continue appears endless. Is reading a hobby? Loudly YES!! 

Reading as a hobby – the debate

For a long time now, people have gone back and forth with their opinions as to whether or not reading can be considered a hobby. As a skill we learn from a young age and use almost daily without thinking, may people akin reading to breathing. A skill we use effortlessly once learnt. A necessity. For this reason they argue how can something we do almost automatically be considered a hobby?

To answer the question, we first need to first look at what the definition of a hobby is, and determine from that if reading can safely fit into that category.

What is the definition of a hobby?

So what is the definition of a hobby?  A quick search through various dictionaries provided us with the following answers.

• “An activity that you do for pleasure when you are not working” – Oxford English Dictionary.
• “a pursuit outside one’s regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation” –  Merrium-Webster dictionary.
• “An activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation” – Dictionary.com.

When researching what the definition of a hobby we also came across the Cambridge Dictionary’s definition which, similar to the others, stated “an activity that you do for pleasure when you are not working.”  However, the example it gave beneath this went a long way towards answering our question. 

The example given reads: “Sonya’s hobbies include travelling, sailing, and reading fiction.”

Why reading can be considered a hobby for some people

Reading is not something everyone enjoys. For some people, picking up a book and reading it in their spare time is not something that even remotely interests them. I would know. As an avid reader and someone who would say reading is a hobby of mine, I also know others who would not be able to say that.

Take my children, for instance. Whilst they are all quite studious and read actively and happily for their school and studies, only one would say she reads as a hobby. The difference is that to be considered a hobby, it needs to be an activity you choose to pursue for pleasure and relaxation outside of school or work. HUGE tick for reading! 

For my eldest daughter and me, there is no better way to spend our downtime than to work through a pile of novels. In our busy lives, we actively try to find time to do this, and it brings us both great pleasure when we do.

It’s not always about discovering a new story, either.  Quite often, it is the act of reading, of sitting down to relax and getting lost in a good book, that is the goal. Picking up and re-reading old favourites brings just as much pleasure as devouring the latest bestseller. 

And then there are book clubs!  For those who love to read as a hobby, joining others with a similar interest regularly to dissect and discuss a book collectively and share ones they have been reading too is something they enjoy immensely. 

For me, and so many others, reading ticks every one of the definition boxes for being a hobby. It is done in our spare time as a way to relax and because, quite simply, we love it. 

If you are reading this to convince yourself or your parent that reading is a hobby, we hope we have given you enough logical reasoning to justify your literary past time. 

If your child enjoys reading as a hobby, you might also be interested in the following:

Kids’ Reading Club Programs in Brisbane

Books We Love

This global bestselling tween literature series has already sold over 50 million copies worldwide since 2009. It’s adored for its universal authenticity, conveyed through the unique and fresh voice that continues to appeal to pre-teen readers across the world.

About Dork Diaries

Meet Nikki Maxwell (aka Queen of the Dorks!).

New school. New Crush. New mean girl. New diary, so Nikki can spill all!

Nikki Maxwell has never been popular but now she’s started at a new school, she’s hoping to leave her old dorky ways behind.

Follow Nikki’s adorkable life as she shares all the details of her not-so-fabulous life full of BFF drama, hopeless crushes and an extremely cringe-worthy family.

Recording the daily misadventures of 14-year-old, self-proclaimed dork, Nikki Maxwell, Dork Diaries uses drawings, doodles and comic strips to share her adventures. Not only are these stories funny and relatable, but they also encourage tween readers to embrace their individuality and let their inner ‘dork’ shine through.

With a HUGE global fanbase, Dork Diaries is the perfect series for fans of Lottie Brooks, Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Tom Gates, and is recommended for those aged 7+ years.

Dork Diaries 15: I Love Paris

The long-awaited and eagerly anticipated book 15 in the Dork Diaries series is finally arriving in October 2023! 

Will Nikki FINALLY make it to Paris?! Or will she and her BFFs plan a Paris-themed fundraiser to help her crush, Brandon, raise money for the Fuzzy Friends Animal Shelter?!

Other Books In The Dork Diaries Series

Originally released in 2009, the Dork Diaries series has invited readers into the life of Nikki Maxwell with 14 memorable adventures to date. Before the next edition, why not catch yourself up on Nikki’s previous tales:

• Dork Diaries
• Dork Diaries 2: Party Time
• Dork Diaries 3: Pop Star
• Dork Diaries 4: Skating Sensation
• Dork Diaries 5: Dear Dork
• Dork Diaries 6: Holiday Heartbreak
• Dork Diaries 7: TV Star
• Dork Diaries 8: Once Upon a Dork
• Dork Diaries 9: Drama Queen
• Dork Diaries 10: Puppy Love
• Dork Diaries 11: Frenemies Forever
• Dork Diaries 12: Crush Catastrophe
• Dork Diaries 13: Birthday Drama
• Dork Diaries 14: Spectacular Superstar
• Dork Diaries 15: I Love Paris! (Coming soon!)

About The Author

The author of the Dork Diaries series, Rachel Renee Russell is a lawyer who prefers writing children’s books to legal briefs (mainly because books are a lot more fun and pyjamas and bunny slippers aren’t allowed in court). She has raised two daughters and lived to tell about it. Rachel lives in northern Virginia, USA, with a spoiled pet Yorkie who terrorises her daily by climbing on top of her computer and pelting her with stuffed animals while she writes. And, yes, Rachel considers herself a total Dork! 

Inspiration Behind The Series

Rachel says, “The Dork Diaries series was inspired by my dorky daughter, Nikki, who is also the illustrator of the books. The main character, Nikki Maxwell, is named after her. Many of the
dramatic tales, zany escapades, and exciting adventures chronicled in the books are based on real-life experiences from our own middle-school years. I am thrilled to know that girls and boys
around the world enjoy my book series and are inspired to embrace their uniqueness.”

To find out more, and to grab your copies of the refreshed editions of all 14 current books in the Dork Diaries series with new covers when they are released in September (along with Dork Diaries 15: I Love Paris in October 2023), head to the Simon and Schuster website.

1. Blinky Bill by Dorothy Wall
2. Possum Magic by Mem Fox
3. Snuggle Pot and Cuddle Pie by May Gibbs
4. Bluey by Bluey
5. Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French
6. The Kookaburra Who Couldn’t Laugh by Robert Cox
7. Edward or Edwina the Emu by Sheena Knowles
8. Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey
9. Little Brown Bushrat by Georgie Ripper
10. Come fly with Captain Kangaroo by Mandy Foot
11. Who sank the boat? by Pamela Allen
12. Koala Lou by Mem Fox
13. Olga the Brolga by Rod Clement
14. Feathers for Phoebe by Rod Clement
15. Alexander’s Outing by Pamela Allen
16. Wombat Devine by Mem Fox
17. Waddle Giggle Gargle by Pamela Allen
18. Wombat Stew by Marcia Vaughan
19. The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay
20. Are we there yet? by Allison Lester
21. Magic Beach by Allison Lester
22. Greetings from Sandy Beach by Bob Graham
23. Possum in the house by Kiersten Jensent
24. Christmas in Australia by John Williamson
25. Peppa’s Australian Underwater Adventure
26. Noni the Pony Rescues a Joey by Alliston Lester
27. The Hidden Forest by Jeannie Baker
28. Sailing Home by Colin Thompson
29. Stellaluna by Jannel Cannon
30. Bunyips Don’t by Sally Odgers
31. Sebastian Lives in a Hat by Thelma Catterwell
32. Snap by Marcia Vaughn
33. Bobby the Tree Kangaroo by Eva-Marie Welsh
34. My dad’s in the Australian Army by Hayley Ann Boswell
35. Applesauce and the Christmas Miracle by Glenda Millard
36. Santa’s Secret by Mike Dumbleton
37. Time for Bed by Mem Fox
38. An Aussie Day before Christmas by Kilmany Niland
39. An Aussie Night before Christmas by Yvonne Morrison
40. The Rainbow Serpent
41. Summer Rain by Ros Moriarty
42. A Bush Christmas by J. Dennis
43. Santa’s Aussie Holiday by Maria Farrer
44. Waltzing Matilda by Banjo Patterson
45. There Was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Mozzie by P. Crumble
46. Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox
47. Koala’s Eat Gumleaves by Laura Bunting
48. The Little Dog and the Christmas Wish by Corinne Fenton
49. Big Rain Coming by Katrina Germain
50. Billie B Brown series by Sally Rippin
51. Spikey’s Day Out
52. Santa’s Aussie Mix-Up by Colin Buchanan
53. The Little Refugee by Ahn and Suzanne Do
54. The Great Expedition by Peter Carnavas
55. Animal Tales by Susan Hall and Ben Guy
56. The Rabbits by John Marsden
57. My Place by Nadia Wheatley
58. My Grandad Marches on Anzac Day by Catriona Hoy
59. The Dog on the Tuckerbox by Corinne Fenton
60. The Australian Twelve Days of Christmas by Heath McKenzie
61. Tea and Sugar Christmas by Jane Jolly
62. You and Me: Our Place by Leonie Norrington
63. Lizzie Nonsense by Jan Ormerod
64. Stolen Girl by Trina Saffioti
65. Audrey of the Outback by Christine Harris
66. Nancy Bentley by Tracey Hawkins
67. Amazing Grace by Stephanie Owen Reeder
68. Brindabella by Ursula Dubosarsky
69. The Legend of Moondyne Joe by Mark Greenwood
70. Ned Kelly and the Green Sash by Mark Greenwood
71. Click Go the Shears by Charlotte Lance
72. Chip the Lifeguard by Kylie Howarth
73. The Man from Snowy River by Banjo Patterson
74. From Little Things Big Things Grow by Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody
75. Cassy’s Tale by Eva-Marie Welsh
76. Mopoke by Philip Bunting
77. The Biggest Frog in Australia by Susan L. Roth
78. There’s a Big Green Frog in the Toilet by Anh Doh
79. Miss Lily’s Fabulous Pink Boa by Margaret Wild
80. Sam’s Bush Journey by Sally Morgan
81. The Pumpkin Runner by Marsha Arnold
82. The Smallest Bilby and the Easter Tale by Nette Hilton
83. The Old Woman Who Loved to Read by John Winch
84. Best Beak in Boonaroo Bay by Narelle Oliver
85. Radio Rescue! by Jane Jolly
86. Josephine Wants to Dance by Jackie French
87. A Year on Our Farm by Penny Matthews
88. Isabella’s Bed by Allison Lester
89. You and Me Murrawee by Kerri Hashmi
90. Papa and the Olden Days by Ian Edwards
91. Bilby Moon by Margaret Spurling
92. Farmer Shulz’s Ducks by Colin Thiele
93. The Koala Who Could by Rachel Bright
94. Mulga Bill’s Bicycle by Banjo Patterson
95. Pig the Pug by Aaron Blabey
96. Treehouse Series by Andy Griffith
97. Fly Guy by Ted Arnold
98. The Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear
99. Shelly The Sea Turtle by Eva-Marie Welsh
100. A Walk In the Bush by Gwyn Perkins

How many have you read?

Sharing stories with your child is one of the most important things you can do to help develop their language and reading skills. It teaches them so many things, including new words, the basics of how we read (for example – from left to right) and the sounds and shapes of letters and words.

1. Unicorn and the Rainbow Poop
   

   by Emma Adams. Illustrated by Katy Halford

2. Noni the Pony Rescues a Joey
   

   by Alison Lester

3. There’s a Baddie Running Through this Book

   by Shelly Unwin, Vivienne To

4. Lazy Daisy

   by Caz Goodwin and Ashley King

5. Three Billy Goats Gruff

   by Nick Bland

6. It’s a Story, Rory!
   

   by Frances Watts. Illustrated by David Legge

7. Unicorn!
   

   by Maggie Hutchings. Illustrated by Cheryl Orsini

8. I’m a Dirty Dinosaur

   by Janeen Brian. Illustrated by Ann James

9. Rainbow Bear

   by  Stephen Michael King

10. Peppa Goes to London

    adapted by Mandy Archer

By the way, if your child loves to read the same story over and over again – don’t worry! The repetition actually helps to reinforce their learning and is fantastic for their brain development.

If you loved this list you might also like to read The Ultimate Guide to the best Australian Picture Books

If you want to try some of these books or get some new books to share, don’t forget you can join your local library for free and borrow books to take home. If you are looking for free activities centred around books, first 5 Forever activities happen across Brisbane libraries every single week. To find an activity near you head to the First 5 Forever website. 

Has your child read these beautiful Australian children’s books? They include some classic books you may remember from your own childhood as well as some more recent ones.

Sharing stories together with your child gives their brain development a boost and helps to build their relationship with you. And remember – if they don’t feel like reading all the way to the end or just want to talk about the pictures, they still receive the wonderful benefits of reading.

First 5 Forever

Did you know that up to 90% of a child’s brain development happens in the first 5 years? Research shows the first five years last a lifetime and that young child learn best by interacting with the important adults in their lives during everyday activities. Talk, read, sing and play with your child from birth to build a strong foundation for your child’s future development.

First 5 Forever is an initiative of the Queensland Government, coordinated by State Library of Queensland and delivered in partnership with local government. Since launching in 2015 there have been more than 2.5 million attendances at First 5 Forever activities in public libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres across Queensland.

Our Favourite Australian Picture Books

Where is the Green Sheep by Mem Fox and Judy Horacek. Whether its the repetitive nature of the book that keeps them entertained or the funny expressions of the sheep, Where is the Green Sheep is a childhood staple. 

Magic Beach by Alison Lester. Anything can happen at Magic Beach if it even existed in the first place. Fun and busy images make for a captivating book for pre-readers. 

Grug by Ted Prior. Once the top of a Burrawang tree fell to the ground and became … Grug! Such a weird little creature, with simple but meaningful stories. 

There’s a sea in my bedroom by Margaret Wild. For the child who longs to be at the sea. A story about a child who is transported to the ocean via a conch shell in his room. 

Where the Forest Meets The Sea by Jeanie Baker. More than a story, this book is a masterpiece of mixed media in illustration. It is a story which highlights the incredible natural world around us, both present-day and historical, whilst also showing kids the importance of caring for the environment we have. 

John Brown Rose and the Midnight Cat by Jenny Wagner. An iconic tale with illustrations that colour the story which is complex and thought-provoking. A tale of an old lady who wants for some company of a midnight cat much to the dismay of her loyal sheepdog.

Edward the Emu by Sheena Knowles and Rod Clement. Poor Edward is not a happy Emu but a journey of self-discovery helps him to overcome his sadness and become content with who he is. 

Possum Magic by Mem Fox. The heartwarming story of a possum made invisible by her grandmother. 

Wombat Stew by Marcia Vaughan. The story of a naughty dingo who captures a wombat to make wombat stew.

The Rainbow Serpent by Dick Roughsey. when a rainbow is seen in the sky it is supposed to be the Rainbow Serpent travelling from one waterhole to another.

Our Land by National Gallery of Australia. Introduces pre-schoolers to the art of Indigenous Australias and the importance of caring for our land. 

Greetings from Sandy Beach by Bob Graham A celebration of summer holidays at the beach

Gary by Leila Rudge. A story for birds who dare to dream. When Gary takes a holiday in his dreams. 

Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley The adventures of Mothball the Wombat are as entertaining as the facial expressions the illustrator manages to convey. 

Snugglepot and Cuddlepie by May Gibbs. Childhoods have been made richer because of the delightful tales of Snuggle Pot and Cuddle Pie and the villainous Banksia Men.

Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox and Julie Vivas. The story of a young boy who helps an older friend to regain some of her memory. 

Koala Lou by Mem Fox. A tale of a koala who trains for Olympic stardom to try to get attention from her parents.

The Very Cranky Bear by Nick Bland. 4 animals dare to disturb a cranky bear in his cave. 

All through the year by Jane Godwin. A year in the life of an Australian family, month by month. 

Macca the Alpaca by Matt Cosgrove. The tale of Macca the Alpaca and his encounter with a llama. 

First 5 Forever activities happen across Brisbane libraries every single week. To find an activity near you head to the First 5 Forever website. 

There are certain books that have shaped the generations of past and present that should be enjoyed by all kids as they are growing up. Here we have a list of the 50 best books recommended for all kids to read by the time they turn 12, from beautifully illustrated picture books to chapter by chapter page-turners.

BOOKS FOR 2-4 YEAR OLDS

• Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction site – Sherry Dusky Winker
• Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus – Mo Williems
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar – Eric Carle
• Goodnight Moon – Margaret Wise Brown
• Where the Wild Things Are – Maurice Sendak
• The Tale of Peter Rabbit – Beatrix Potter
• Harold and the Purple Crayon – Crockett Johnson
• The Cat in the Hat – Dr. Seuss
• Madeline – Ludwig Bemelmans
• Frog and Toad Are Friends – Arnold Lobel

BOOKS FOR 5-7 YEAR OLDS

•  The Complete Tales and Poems of Winnie The Pooh – A.A.Milne
• Ramona the Pest – Beverly Cleary
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Roald Dahl
• Mercy Watson to the Rescue: Mercy Watson, Book 1 – Kate DiCamillio
• Stuart Little – E.B.White
• Ivy and Bean: Book 1 – Annie Barrows
• Where the Sidewalk Ends – Shel Silverstein
• Charlotte’s Web – E.B.White

BOOKS FOR 8-10 YEAR OLDS

• Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – J.K.Rowling (It can be worth buying the box set up front)
• Coraline – Neil Gaiman
• The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: The Chronicles of Narnia, Book 1 – C.S.Lewis
• The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread – Kate DiCamillio
• Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing – Judy Blume
• Anne of Green Gables – L.M.Montgomery

• Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll
• Big Nate: In a Class by Himself: Big Nate, book 1 – Lincoln Peirce
• The Bad Beginning: A Series of Unfortunate Events, book 1 – Lemony Snicket
• Bridge to Terabithia – Katherine Paterson
• Diary of a Whimpy Kid – Jeff Kinney
• Bud, Not Buddy – Christopher Paul Curtis
• The Hobbit – J.R.R.Tolkin

• The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, book 1 – Rick Riordan
• A Wrinkle in Time – Madeleine L’Engle
• Little House in the Big Woods – Laura Ingalis Wilder
• Hold Fast – Blue Balliett
• Esperanza Rising – Pam Munoz Ryan
• I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up For Education and Changed the World – Malala Yousafzai, Patricia McCormick
• Inside Out and Back Again – Thanhha Lai
• My Side of the Mountain – Jean Craighead George
• Revolution is Not a Dinner Party – Ying Chang Compestine

BOOKS FOR 11-12 YEAR OLDS

• Walk Two Moons – Sharon Creech
• Wonder – R.J.Palacio\
• Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl – Anne Frank
• The Fellowship of the Ring – J.R.R.Tolkien
• Ender’s Game – Orson Scott Card
• Legend, Book 1 – Marie Lu
• The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins (see the movie to decide if this one is appropriate for your pre-teen)
• March, book 1 – Andrew Aydin, John Lewis
• To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee
• The Outsiders – S.E.Hinton

Other articles you may be interested in:

• The ultimate guide to the best Australian kids picture books
• 10 great Brisbane children’s books

Bestselling author Samantha Wheeler’s new novel is a remarkable story about finding your voice.

Ava wants nothing more than to tell her family she loves them, particularly her big sister, Nic. But Ava has Rett syndrome – she can’t talk, nod her head or even point at a communication card. She understands everything, but no-one understands her.

When tragedy strikes her family, Ava becomes even more determined to talk. But it’s not until she meets occupational therapist Kieran and new friend Aimee that she is hopeful for change – and to be heard at last.

Samantha Wheeler is best known for her eco-adventure stories but, inspired by her youngest daughter who has Rett syndrome, she thought about writing Everything I’ve Never Said for many years.

‘Everyone has a voice, whether or not they communicate in a conventional way and I wanted to convey that message to younger readers,’ said Samantha.

‘Children with disabilities and the families who love them are rarely found in novels and one of my aims with this book was to create characters who are role-models, who show us that it’s okay to ask for help.’

Main themes of the book

• Relationships
• Hope
• Disabilities/Rett syndrome
• Persistence
• Communication
• Love

Why we love this book

It’s a wonderfully empowering story for anyone aged 9 to 110.

Courageous and resilient, Ava and her family are quiet heroes who cherish each other, tackle the tough days and never give up.

About Samantha Wheeler

Samantha Wheeler studied agriculture, worked with dairy farmers, and taught science before writing her first children’s book in 2011. Five novels later, her stories have been shortlisted for the Queensland Literary Awards, Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards, the Readings Children’s Book Prize, the Wilderness Society Environment Award for Children’s Literature, and commended in the Royal Zoological Society of NSW Whitley Awards. When not writing, she spends time with her husband, pets and two beautiful daughters, the youngest of whom has Rett syndrome. Samantha hopes her stories will encourage everyone to speak up for what they believe in.

Everything I’ve Never Said is published by UQP and you can buy a copy here.

We all need a gentle reminder to stop, look around and see the big picture sometimes.  When Lily finds a beautiful, big, shiny balloon, she wants to keep it forever – but what if somebody else needs it more? Lily’s Balloon takes readers on a journey that reminds us that everyone is connected in our big world. After Lily loses her balloon, it is found by Tom, who needs to slow down and practice mindfulness to capture beauty with his camera. The balloon then floats on and brings comfort to Amelia who misses her father. Who knows what joy it may bring to the next person who finds it?

Author Katrina Roe says she wrote Lily’s Balloon with the idea that a balloon’s journey could show that people are all interconnected, even if they don’t realise it. “The story became much more about letting go of loss and disappointment while recognising that one person’s loss is often another person’s gain … if only we could see the big picture.”

Main themes

One of the downsides of being part of a hectic world (in which we’re all encouraged to pursue our dreams) is that we don’t always notice what is going on for the people around us.  The main idea in Lily’s Balloon is that a child gives something up that she wants very much, but in doing so, helps other children who need it more.  The book also encourages mindfulness and observation.

“All the characters in the story find peace, comfort and beauty when they stop looking down and choose to look up.  We can see things so much more clearly when we look outwards and upwards instead of focusing on ourselves,” says Katrina.

Why we love the book

Losing something special can make us feel sad, but imagine how much better we’d feel if we used our imaginations to wonder who could be finding joy in it next, and what adventures it might be going on? We love a book that encourages empathy in kids and encourages them to find a silver lining in every situation.

Picture books they might like if they like Lily’s Balloon

There are some wonderful books about children who lose precious possessions that either find their way back home or end up making someone else happy. A couple of great ones are:

The Teddy Bear by David McPhail

Bun Bun Button by Patricia Polacco 

About the author

Katrina Roe is an author and radio presenter. She can be heard each weekday on Sydney’s Hope 103.2 radio, where she is the host of Hope Mornings.

Katrina’s books tackle real-life issues she has faced first-hand. She lives in Sydney with her husband, Chris, a television news producer, and her three gorgeous girls.

Lily’s Balloon is published by Wombat Books and you can buy a copy here

We’ve all tried to glimpse shapes in the clouds as kids. We’ve pointed out fluffy white rabbits or mighty grey steeds above our heads. Now there’s an entire book dedicated to it. Cloud Conductor is a picture book encouraging kids to have their heads in the clouds—as cloud conductors.

It’s a heartfelt story about a convalescent child who can escape her hospitalisation through daydreaming. Even when illness means Frankie can’t leave her bed, she is taken away to the beach with shimmering waves or the outback with thundering horses.

Kids who have their ‘heads in the clouds’ are often attributed with attention disorders and misbehaviour in schools, but Kellie stresses the importance of a ‘wandering’ mind during childhood.

“Our imagination can be used as a reprieve from real life, to ‘power up’ like avatars in video games do,” says Kellie. “It’s important for adults to find ways to continually encourage children to explore their imaginations and find inventive ways of seeing the world.”

Children will be enchanted as they learn to become cloud conductors too, no matter where they are or what situation they are in.

Main Themes

The main theme in Cloud Conductor is to inspire a wandering imagination in kids. It’s not just about staring at clouds. Author Kellie Byrnes shows how creativity can be used to solve problems and deal with negative emotions.

“No matter our age, I think we all need escapism in our lives at some points. Sometimes when things are outside our control and affecting us negatively, the best thing to do is just escape for a time and leave our troubles behind,” says Kellie.

All kids have their imaginations at their disposal and Cloud Conductor encourages everyone to use it as a tool in everyday life.

Why we love the book

What’s not to like in a book that encourages us to have our heads in the clouds? Cloud Conductor teaches kids to spark up that imagination, which can be shared again and again. Cloud conductors unite! Not to mention, we can take our kids to the zoo, to the beach, to the rainforest, without even leaving our backyard. We wonder what tales your kids will take you on in the clouds.

Other books they might like if they like Cloud Conductor

Picture books that spark the imagination. Some other great ones are:

Scary Night, written by Lesley Gibbes and illustrated by Michael King

Journey and Quest, by Aaron Becker

About the author

Kellie Byrnes is a children’s author, full-time freelance writer, and book reviewer. Her debut picture book, The Cloud Conductor, was released by Wombat Books in 2018.

Kellie has a BA degree in Literature; over five years of experience copywriting; and has spent time in marketing, PR and publishing roles. When she’s not busy writing, reading or coming up with new ideas, Kellie can be found walking her two dogs, checking out movies, plays and musicals, or travelling as far and wide as she can for inspiration.