Books+Publishing

13/12/2025

Wishing all Books+Publishing readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

We will be taking a short break over the holiday season.

The first newsletter for 2026 will be published Monday, 12 January.
The first Weekly Book Newsletter (WBN) in 2026 will be published on Wednesday, 14 January.
The booking deadline for classifieds and job advertisements for the first WBN of 2026 is 12 noon AEDT on Tuesday, 13 January.

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13/12/2025

12/12/2025

Looking for something to read?
View Books+Publishing’s unlocked reviews - December 2025!
These titles are OUT NOW!
Cut & paste this link 👉https://bit.ly/49NZQGx to read
our recently unlocked reviews.
There is something for everyone!!
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12/12/2025

Unlocked reviews: New-release picture books

How to Have the Best School Year Ever (Jess Sanders, illus Andrea Onishi, Affirm)

For many young children, starting the school year can be a daunting experience filled with many unknowns. Jess Sanders’s How to Have the Best School Year Ever is the perfect tool to help ease those worries and prepare young ones for a great, even the best, year ahead. The book speaks directly to readers in a clear, gentle tone, encouraging children aged 4 to 8 to set goals. It then offers accessible, realistic tips for reaching them – whether learning a new sport, improving on a subject or making new friends – showing that no goal is too small. As with Sanders’s previous books, including The Five Rules of Friendship and Love Your Body, her latest book teaches children how to be resilient when feeling discouraged, acknowledging the hard work and obstacles that can come with pursuing goals. Sanders gives readers practical advice to feel confident and step out of their comfort zone. Along with Andrea Onishi’s vibrant illustrations that jump off the page, How to Have the Best School Year Ever provides children with the building blocks to goal-setting. It also gives caregivers and teachers a starting point to discuss school-related anxieties, making it an excellent home and classroom resource.

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12/12/2025

Unlocked reviews: New-release picture books

How to Go to Big School (Sarah Ayoub, illus Mimi Purnell, HarperCollins)

After the success of How to Be a Friend, Sarah Ayoub and Mimi Purnell return with another heartfelt guide. How to Go to Big School offers practical tips for children aged 3+ who are worried about starting school. The book outlines what to expect in a school day, from preparing snacks in the morning to getting picked up in the afternoon. During drop-off, for example, we’re reminded that feeling scared is normal. How to Go to Big School also explains how to get the teacher’s attention and common school activities, including singing and learning letters and numbers. There’s even mention of good-citizen tasks, such as practising active listening and picking up rubbish. Purnell’s whimsical illustrations support young readers in visualising these routines, helping to ease anxiety for kids and parents. Importantly, Ayoub and Purnell show school as an inclusive space that is playful and welcoming. Ayoub’s confident, lyrical writing reassures readers and underscores the book’s core message – that learning should be celebrated, especially in the AI era, where efficiency can overshadow the slower, essential process of learning. How to Go to Big School offers a positive way to prepare children for this important transition and is ideal for fans of Kitty Black and Cate James’ Starting School List and Corrinne Averiss and Kirsti Beautyman’s Love.

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12/12/2025

Unlocked reviews: New-release picture books

The Fishmonger and the Pastry Chef (Sophie Masson, illus Cheryl Orsini, HGCP)

Sophie Masson (The Giant) draws inspiration from her family history in the seaside town of Biarritz for The Fishmonger and the Pastry Chef. Set in a charming coastal village, this picture book is for readers aged 3 to 7. The story follows Lucas, a young boy who enjoys visiting his tantine (aunty) Violette at her patisserie and his friend Cyprien, a local fishmonger. When Lucas realises both adults are lonely, he devises a plan to bring them together. This heartwarming book celebrates curiosity, connection and kindness, as readers see how asking questions can reveal unexpected stories from the past and how small acts of care can make a difference. Through Lucas’s gentle choices, the story beautifully illustrates how empathy helps relationships flourish. Cheryl Orsini’s whimsical illustrations bring the seaside town to life in delicious detail, from the cakes and pastries on display to the nostalgic double-page spreads of Violette’s and Cyprien’s memories. Simple French words and phrases are woven naturally through the English text and the artwork, adding warmth and authenticity to the story. The Fishmonger and the Pastry Chef is an endearing tribute to love, community and the importance of truly seeing the people around us.

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11/12/2025

Carla Salmon joins Books+Publishing to show the world that

We Saw What You Started (Carla Salmon, Pan Australia)

10/12/2025

"Dalgleish recounts this real-life 2017 rescue with energetic, expressive language that blends factual detail with poetic rhythm, bringing both emotion and immediacy to the story.”
–Books+Publishing

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10/12/2025

“An accessible and engaging introduction to Earth Sciences that will inspire curious readers aged 4 and up to learn more about the environment.”
–Books+Publishing

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10/12/2025

“My Brother Otto delves into the experience of devastating loss with warmth and sensitivity. Laguna handles Quinn’s hurt, jealousy and isolation with honesty and compassion.”
–Books+Publishing

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10/12/2025

“The book’s charm lies in the comic irony of modern teenagers trying to apply present-day progressive values to Shakespeare’s most famous love story … a funny and witty companion for young readers keen to deepen their understanding of Shakespeare.”
–Books+Publishing

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