The Incredible Freedom Machines

Words By: Kirli Saunders

Illustrations By: Matt Ottley

“Her freedom machine would take her to the most abundant untouched places. She would soak up their secrets and return a little more entire.”⠀

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Freedom machines were hard to come by but this girl persevered until she found one. It wasn’t perfect but it was all she needed to escape the confines of her life for a while. Such a beautifully written book by teamed with divine illustrations. This book gave me all the feels, you know that hair standing on end kind of feeling? When a book touches you and changes a part of you?⠀

What’s your freedom machine? Kirli’s is motorbikes, mine is books, clearly.⠀

Our Home, Our Heartbeat

Words By: Briggs

Pictures By: Kate Moon and Rachael Sarra

“My history is my strength, my future is my own. My community is a part of me, it’s my time, my heartbeat”⠀

This stunningly illustrated book was inspired by Briggs' song “The Children Came Back”. It celebrates Indigenous excellence and is exactly what every home and school needs. It places Indigenous children as well known, high achievers like Miranda Tapsell and Patty Mills. This type of representation is so important because if you don’t see it you can’t be it. This book sparked some deep and valuable conversations about racism with my six year old especially when it came time to talk about Adam Goodes. This book will inspire and educate the younger generation for years to come and should be in every classroom library.

Not Norman A Goldfish Story

Words By: Kelly Bennet

Pictures By: Noah Z Jones

“I wanted a pet who could run and catch. Or one who could climb trees and chase strings. A soft furry pet to sleep on my bed at night. Not Norman.”⠀

This is a heartwarming story about a boy and the pet he never knew he wanted. It explores how friendship often needs time to grow and if you don’t give it time you might be missing out on something great! More importantly this book centres a family of colour without focusing on an issue or skin colour. The world needs MORE of these books.⠀