Adventures In KidLitLand June 2026

Cosy Casper

​It’s almost halfway through the year! I'm switching on the electric blankets at night, and Casper is snuggling in bed longer in the mornings. He's unimpressed that he has to put on winter woolies for walks (see below)! I’ve started this newsletter several times in the warmer months, and I have always been distracted by something shinier: writing stories, submitting manuscripts, organising our local CBCA NSW regional events, attending book launches and reading the wonderful books my friends have written/illustrated.

Writing-wise, I am thrilled that my short story What’s In the Box? will be published in the Picture It junior fiction anthology produced by Just Write For Kids and Daisy Lane Publishing. It’s called Literally Hilarious: Families Gone Wild, and it comes out soon! I had the absolute pleasure of judging and helping edit the stories to go in this anthology, so I know it’s a book-load of fun, and sales will raise funds for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation – so two great reasons to buy a copy 😊. I’ll send another newsletter out with details when it’s available.

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Later last year I also had the brilliant news of a contract with Wombat Books for a picture book, to come out next year (hopefully!). This one is close to my heart, not only being a dog book, but also a love letter to my best boy Archie, who some of you may remember from earlier newsletters and our StoryHound Instagram. I can’t wait to see this one take shape.

In other book news, I was so happy to see Anchored appear in the top 30 most read books (published after 2023) in the Premiers Reading Challenge last year. I love that they included a list of more recent books along with a list of ‘best of all time.’

Also on the Anchored theme, my Author Pen Pals this year, ILC and 1T at Five Dock Public School, sent me an adorable package of letters with drawings of their favourite parts of Anchored. So many cute Tugs and Ships! Below is a selection.

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I was so excited to see that my Lights Out, Little Dragon! illustrator, Rae Tan has another gorgeous picture book that is on the CBCA Book of the Year shortlist. The Emperor’s Egg is a beautiful fable that pulls the reader into Ren’s emotions, with stunning illustrations, filled with glorious dragon-like creatures. You must find a copy!

It might not be a surprise to you that I go to a lot of book launches. I am so fortunate to have many clever friends who write and illustrate. But that can mean for a bulky read if I list them all here. So for now, at least, I’m going to limit my newsletter to two (or three) very special books, and you can see all the other wonderful books I love on my social media channels.

Kate Gordon’s middle grade novel is exquisite. Evoking another place and time and with memorable characters that jump out of the pages and into your heart. All five children are so distinctive, and their interactions are priceless. Reminiscent of Seven Little Australians and Little Women, with a smattering of Where the Wild Things Are. It’s not a fast-paced adventure, but a slow, broody novel, with beautiful, rich language, and profound themes. Definitely one to savour.

And for something completely different, a light-hearted, fun and easy to read junior fiction in the Pet Sitters Series by Ella Shine (pen-name for Penny Reeve and Cecily Paterson).  This new book in the series is called Pirate Problems, with fun pirate-speak that kids will love. I love what Penny and Cecily have done with this series –from the freshness of the stories and delightful surprises, to the quality of the writing and the physical production. They even have them on audio-book. It’s such a professional product, you would never know that it was self-published - which is why I love to spread the word, because it’s hard to get the word out if you’re not backed by a big publishing house. So check it out, and you if you love them, give them a shout out!

I have a wonderful array of school visits and author workshops scattered throughout the year, thanks to WestWords and Creative Kids Tales speaker’s agency. The first is next week and I am busily prepping for three session K-2. If you’d like me to come to your school, you can contact CKT here: https://cktspeakersagency.com.au/

I’m also excited to join CBCA NSW Eastern Suburbs region for an author meet and greet and craft/activity time in a couple of weeks. If you’re in the area, come along with your young friends and make a paper plate rocking Tug. It’ll be fun!

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Casper unimpressed in his hoody :-)

​Thanks for following my adventures,

Until next time,

Stay safe, warm, and take care,

​Debra

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