Eight Great New Children's Book Titles to Read and Enjoy!

In this my September post, I want to share 8 wonderful new children's picture books for children aged 5 to 12 years. Enjoy! The first is one in a series of special books for this age group.

1. 'Unicornia: A Snowy Surprise' by Ana Punset, Diana Vicedo (Illustrator).

Now here is a wonderful picture book for children aged 5-8 years! It is one of many in the series of 'Unicornia'. It is the latest in a series of ten picture books that centre on the varied life of a special young lady named 'Claudia'. It is a Global best selling book.

 

This is a global book that is sold in many nations. It is a continuing series about a 'special place', the 'Unicornia Academy of Music'. So, welcome to Unicornia, where unicorns are your best friends! Here you'll discover potions, spells and so much more!

"Claudia and her friends are preparing for a sparkly and magical Christmas in Unicornia - it's even started snowing! But the snow keeps falling and falling... Oh no! Father Christmas will never be able to reach Unicornia through the snowstorm! Is Christmas cancelled? Find out in this tale of festive fun and friendship, crackling with Christmas magic."

The full series of books consists of: 

'Unicornia: A Magical Birthday' – Perfect for birthdays and celebrations
'Unicornia: The Cupcake Contest' – Perfect for budding bakers and for talking to children about teamwork
'Unicornia: The Dance Show' – Great for talking to children about stage fright and nerves
'Unicornia: The Frozen Palace' – Great book for encouraging problem-solving
'Unicornia: Rainbow Roller Skates' – Perfect for encouraging new skills and active outdoor fun
'Unicornia: Camping in the Clouds' - Ideal for talking to children about anxieties, fears and first trips away from home
'Unicornia Colouring Book' – Lovely way to nurture creativity and to help children how to occupy themselves at home or on the move.

2. 'Elmer and the Lost Treasure' by David McKee

David McKee (1935-2022) was a celebrated British children's author and illustrator best known for creating 'Elmer and the Patchwork Elephant' 

I wanted to review this wonderful and classic picture book for those parents, teachers and students who have not experienced the book. Enjoy this together!

  

3. 'Elmer and the Monster' 

I also thought that after sharing 'Elmer and the Lost Treasure' you might just want to share 'Elma and the Lost Monster'! David McKee is a well known writer.

  

The phrase "Elmore and the lost monster" doesn't point to a widely recognized book, movie, or TV show episode, but it sounds like a wonderful setup for a story! In the book we get to know and the 'World of Gumball' in the fictional town of Elmore. The author invites readers to imagine other possible stories about the 'World of Gumball'. What a treat it would be for your child to see a book based there imagination!! 

David Mckee has written many children's books. He invited his readers three years ago to suggest a possible new book that he could write. How good would that be! To have a book created because of your child's suggestion. Sadly David passed away in 2022.

4. 'Dasher' Mat Tavares

Dasher' is a New York Times bestselling holiday classic, which I wanted a new generation of children to experience..

The full title of the book is 'Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever'. It was written and illustrated by Matt Tavares. 

   

As we approach the Christmas season, there was never a better time to get this lovely book to put in children's stockings! 

The plot is straight forward. This little reindeer named 'Dasher' leaves the circus and meets (you'll never believe this!) Santa Claus!! What are the chances? The series also includes the classic 'Dasher Can't Wait for Christmas' and 'Dasher and the Polar Bear'.

5. 'Children's Book Maestrow'

This is another book that I'd like to introduce to a brand new generation. It seems very much the appropriate time. As the incredible author David McKee, passed away four years ago. I'd hate current and future generations to miss out on such a great writer's work. 

David McKee (1935–2022) was a beloved British author and illustrator who was famous for his vibrant picture books that had so much good meanings for children. He didn't write about the common things like Christmas reindeer. His most famous creations included:

Elmer the Patchwork Elephant: His definitive global classic about a colorful elephant who teaches children that it is okay to be different.
Not Now, Bernard: A famously dark and humorous story about a boy ignored by his distracted parents, even when a monster moves into the backyard.
Other works include: 'Mr Benn, King Rollo', and 'Tusk Tusk.'

 

There are a few more listed below that you might seek as an introduction to this legend of a writer!

The first is "Elmore and the lost monster"! No, this isn't a well known movie! It isn't linked to a widely recognized book, movie, or TV show episode. What a teaser for a story!

Are you looking for a creative story based on this title, or were you trying to track down a specific book, show, or game?

He said to his readers on more than one occasion "If you want to create a story together, tell me!" He asked readers:

Who is Elmore? (Is he a kid, an animal, or a citizen of The Amazing World of Gumball?)
What is the monster like? (Is it scary and misunderstood, or small, cute, and friendly?)
Where did it get lost? (In the woods, a school, or a big city?)

He continued, "once I know what you have in mind, we can bring this adventure to life!" What a shame he can't add to his work. But we must be thankful for the many wonderful books he wrote that will timeless for our current and future children.

A favorite must be 'Not Now, Bernard'. This beloved 1980 classic has been enjoyed by so many children. Hopefully, parents and children who have read or heard when they were young will enjoy is just as much! It is no less relevant today than it was over 30 years ago! 

6. 'Once Upon a Tiger' by Sarah Massine

 

This wonderful book was published by Simon & Schuster (2026'). I jumped at the chance to review 'Once Upon a Tiger' as Sarah Massini, is a first time author, even though she has illustrated books for other writers. In Once Upon a Tiger, Sarah has for the first time written, as well as illustrated, the story. It’s a beautiful book. In Sarah's own words as the author, "I’m bowled over by the amazing job the fabulous team @simonkidsuk have done. I could not be more happy with how it looks. In her words honestly, I cried!

A grumpy tiger wakes to find not one, not two, but three child-cubs upon his back. But try as he might, they will not climb down. The tiger children stay together and slowly, gently come to teach one another about bravery, kindness and belonging.

You will love the book’s warm and earthy colour of the illustrations palette and the movement and energy of the illustrations.

The story will challenge our preconceptions. This tiger is timid and easily scared. But he learns to be brave and do difficult things for the children he has grown to love.

Massini explores the sense of place in two different settings, the jungle and the city. Both are alive with sounds and sights and the busy everyday comings and goings of animals and people.

This is a wonderful book that children aged 3+ to 6 years will love.

7. 'Dragon Girls' Elizabeth Cole 

The children's fantasy book series 'Dragon Girls' is written by Hilary Rogers and Maddy Mara (pen name for Meredith Badger). It is suitable for readers aged 7 to 10.

The book revolves around a simple premise, some young girls can be drawn into a magical Magic Forest by a 'Tree Queen'. Here they are to discover how to they can transform into magnificent dragons with special powers. It is one in a series of 20 books, different story arcs, including the 'Glitter Dragons', 'Treasure Dragons', and 'Flower Dragon arcs'. 

 For those young readers who who enjoy the super natural, this will be fun. But, I wouldn't use it for the very young in the 'toddler' years, as it might lead to the odd nightmare.    

8. 'Kindness Makes Me Stronger' Elizabeth Cole 

 

If you want to teach your children the magic of Kindness, this lovely picture book is a good place to start. Of course, overriding all of this as parents and teachers, we also need to model kindness. This doesn't mean letting children do as they wish, but it does require us to teach right from wrong, the difference between being mean, generous and kind. Some children are good at some of these, depending on the circumstances, but we need to work at it as teachers and parents. We need to show our little ones how easy and joyful being kind can be.

In this story, little Nick spends time on grandparents' farm and here he is taught things, but also making new friends, some of these are animals that don't always behave nicely! But there are funny who don't behave nicely. But our little hero manages to teach his new friends the power of kindness, caring and compassion.

The illustrations contribute a great deal to bringing this all to life! This book about kindness is filled with colorful illustrations and charming rhymes. Guiding through an exciting story and dialogues with animal characters, this story will help your little ones in many ways, including:

• Expressing their empathy, compassion, and gratitude
• Respecting both elders and younger people, together with their peers
• Helping those in need and to appreciate true friendship
• To help them to acquire nice manners
• To accept diversity and the importance of inclusion
• To love nature and take care of the environment
• To practice sharing and generosity as great human virtues

As well, you will find an inspiring kindness-related game for kids. This might help to grab kids attention and deal with children's big emotions and feelings in a playful way.

What a joy all these books are! 

ENJOY! 

Children's Book Council Awards 2026

The Annual Children's Book Council Awards 2026

The winners and Honour Books for the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Awards were announced on Friday 21 August at an in-person event at the State Library of New South Wales in Sydney. My personal congratulations to all the remarkable creators and publishers bringing Australian stories to life for children.

 Overall Book of the Year Award Winner 2026

The Judges this year declared that the overall 'Book of the Year, across all categories was....  'Once I was a Giant', 'Zeno Sworder' and 'Thames & Hudson'.  

They declared that: 

"Once I was a Giant is a visually breathtaking, thought-provoking story that sparks the imagination while remaining rooted in the essential truth of how vital trees are to our survival. It begins with a writer struggling for inspiration who is stunned when his pencil says ‘Hello.’ There are so many layers in this masterfully crafted tale that celebrates hope and renewal and prompts us to reflect on our connection to the world around us – especially trees." 

 

This is Zeno's third CBCA award! 

Growing up in Bendigo, Zeno Sworder spent a lot of time outdoors. 

He told the ABC "My dad wasn't a big fan of technology, so we had no car, no television, no screens in the house". 

"I spent all my time wandering outside … I would climb all the trees in my neighbourhood."

He shared that in his street at the top of his street, there was a big tree that stood above all else. It has lots of branches that were the perfect to climb. He shared that"

"I spent a lot of time up in that tree, and I would often talk to it,"

These memories were part of the inspiration Sworder's latest picture book, 'Once I Was a Giant' is about a tree that is cut down and turned into a pencil. A 'big' pencil? You'll need to read the book to find out more. But in the broad, the book is about the relationship we can have to varied forms of life. 

It's a book that he says "honour[s] the relationship that people can have with different forms of life".

Once I Was a Giant is one of the winners at the 2026 Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Awards, taking home the prize for Picture Book of the Year.

The judges described the book — which also won the Victorian Premier's Literary Award for children's literature and Book of the Year and Children's Picture Book of the Year at the Australian Book Industry Awards — as "a wonderful mixture of the sophisticated and complex" issues and concerns. 

Book of the year 'Older Readers'.  

  

 

The judges decision for the book of the year for older readers was 'Darkest Night, Brightest Star'. They described this as:

 

"An authentic, heartfelt, and beautifully written coming-of-age story that looks deeply at toxic masculinity from a male perspective." The story centres on Morgan, a 13-year-old protagonist. He is unaware of the issues in his world, and he develops his own dreams independent of his father’s hopes and dreams for him. Morgan is a child who with a child’s strength seeks to grow and does the work his father should have done. 

 

I have deep connections to this book. I was raised in a family where my parents were alcoholics for most of my early years (0-17). With my older sister we endured a great deal, and learnt to support one another and seek the refuge of our maternal grandparents in all of our holidays. Enjoy!

 

Honour Books   

 

What a wealth of wonderful books we also have in our Honour Books this year. The judges must have had quite a tough time deciding on these books from so many worthy books.

This CBCA Honour YA novel is about a deadly incident in an old school. 'Agathion College' is an exclusive boarding school, but it's history is hidden in mystery, demonic only to find that it's built over centuries of secrets, and demonic magic.

The CBCA committee writes: "Page Whittaker has always been an outcast. She's too smart, too quiet, too weird." After a deadly incident that destroys her only friendship, she needs a fresh start. The book has been applauded by many, including 'Books & Publishing' that concludes:

'A must-read for fans of magical realism, fantasy and stories with demons, Unhallowed Halls is a gripping, unputdownable read from start to finish. Recommended for readers who enjoy works by Leigh Bardugo or Maggie Stiefvater's Raven Cycle series.' - Books & Publishing 

2026 CBCA Older Readers & longlisted for the 2026 'Indi' Book Awards, Young Adult Award 

 

This is an intriguing and engaging book for older readers.

 

"Page Whittaker has always been an outcast. She's too smart, too quiet, too weird. And after the deadly incident that destroyed her only friendship at her old school, she needs a fresh start." 

She is sent to 'Agathion College'. This is just what Page had always wanted. To attend a school safe haven, with wood-panelled halls and dusty books. And it is situated on a remote Scottish moor. Wonderful! She has a close group of friends. Cyrus, Ren, Gideon, Lacey and Oak. They help her to feel at home at Agathion. But there is just one problem, they're all keeping secrets from her. She isn't aware at first that her perfect new school has a crooked foundation, rooted in an ancient clandestine society with rumoured ties to demonic magic. She is to learn that not everyone at Agathion is who they say they are.

 

Agathion claims to teach its students history, but perhaps some histories are better left buried. 

 

Critics write: 

'A wonderfully captivating dark academia fantasy from the award-winning author of A Hunger of Thorns and Deep is the Fen.'

It is a 'Moody, gripping dark academia steeped in magic.' - Kirkus Starred review.

Book of the year 'Younger Readers'. The Winner is 'Inked'

"Inked is a dynamic work, shortlisted because the atmospheric colour, styling and detail within the visual elements provide such a natural background rhythm to thoughtful prose and imaginative presentation of themes."

Karen Watson's book will engage many readers, especially those who are willing to explore the creative and the intriguing.

And the 'Runner Up' is Run 

'Run' written by Sarah Armstrong is another fine book in this year's awards. The judges must have spent much time weighing up the considerable merits of both books. Hence, we have a 'Winner' and an 'Honour' book! Both are excellent!

 

  

This is an exhilarating suspense thriller that was named as a 2026 CBCA Honour Book & WINNER of the CBCA Shadow Judging for Book of the Year for Younger Readers.

It was written by Australian author Sarah Armstrong. It delivers 'an this electrifying middle-grade novel about 12-year-old Cas'. Cas runs away to avoid a reunion with his estranged father. As one who struggled to deal with anger of my own father, it speaks to me directly as one who lived in a home where there was fear at times.

Cas heads away from home one day, but finds himself lost in the wilderness. He is "completely alone and without help". Or is he?

He thought running away from home would solve all his problems. But he didn't take into account the possibility of becoming lost in the Australian bush. He finds himself alone and afraid. He is at the point of losing all hope when he stumbles upon a strange family hiding out in the wilderness. He won't survive without their help. But when he discovers they are also on the run from something, he begins to realize his problems are just beginning!

This book has been given many awards including:

WINNER: CBCA Shadow Judges Book of the Year for Younger Readers 

Honour Book - CBCA Book of the Year for Younger Readers

Shortlisted - David Award for Children's Crime Fiction 

• Shortlisted: Davitt Award for Children's Crime Fiction
• Shortlisted: R.E.A.L. Children's Choice Book Awards
• Longlisted: ABIA Book of the Year for Younger Children   

2026 Book of the Year Award 

Early Childhhod   

 

Book of the Year Award: Early Childhood

The Emperor’s Egg, Author Rae Tan
Lothian Children’s Books

The judges declared that 'The Emperor’s Egg' was shortlisted for its seamless combination of "compelling storytelling, emotional depth and striking illustrations." They also singled out the way it used more subtle skills, including "pacing, character-driven dialogue" and great overall production. 

They also singled out the inclusion of themes and attention to matters of "integrity, patience and responsibility". These qualities lead to significant appeal to younger children. This is a great early book to read to toddlers or to use as an early reading experience for 5 year olds.

The Thing About Christmas - Jo Dabrowski &
Briony Stewart 

Little Book Press

'The Thing About Christmas' is a warm and joyful picture book that reminds us of what really matters during the holiday season.

This lovely little book would be a great gift at Christmas. "It celebrates love, togetherness and the magic of making the season your own – no matter how big or small."
It would be ideal for families with little children just starting to understand that Christmas is not just about them getting things. It also is about special traditions or cherishing old ones.

"There's no right or wrong, whatever you do – Christmas in your home is unique, just like you".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book of the Year Award: Eve Pownal

Peculiar Parents is an award-winning children's book written by Dr. Stephanie Owen Reeder and illustrated by Ingrid Bartkowiak, published by NLA Publishing. The book explores the quirky, funny, and unusual parenting, courting, and breeding habits of 60 native Australian animals. [1, 2, 3]

The book is celebrated for its inclusion of historical taxonomy drawings paired with modern watercolors: [1, 2]