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Good Morning, Mr Sarra:My life working for a stronger, smarter future for our children (new edition): 10th Anniversary edition – Chris Sarra
UQP December 2022 ISBN 978070226589 A$32.99 In mid-1998 I was in my last year at Nanango State School, then teacher-librarian and six years into my teaching career. That was also the year that Chris Sarra arrived at Cherbourg State School as Queensland’s first Aboriginal school principal. It was a game-changer not only for Cherbourg and…
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Change the Date
It’s obviously disturbing to me, as the mother and grandmother of First Nations offspring, that for many the continued ‘celebration’ of 26th January as Australia Day is insensitive at best, offensive at worst. Each year the momentum for changing the date grows, although the upswell of racism we have seen of late can impact this.…
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An unplanned blog break…
The collective reeling of shock over the past few days has brought out many comments. I’ve shared mine, at times with force, especially at the ignorant or disingenous people bleating ‘innocent till proven guilty’ and ‘art is separate to artist’ and ‘maybe the police got it wrong’ and ‘I’ve edited my collection policy’ (that one!!…
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So long 2025 – that’s a wrap
It certainly flew by! But what a great year it’s been. Of course, there were a few bumps but overall, for both The Kid and I, it’s been a very happy, productive and busy year filled with much love and laughter. The Kid has been finding her feet as an employed adult and, after a…
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Happy Christmas!
Wishing you a fabulous Christmas filled with good things from The Kid, the Demon Spawn aka Whiskers and myself. Aside from a New Year’s Eve year wrap-up post, I’m taking a break during January (which actually means I will be still be reading and reviewing but not posting until towards the end of the month).…
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A Song for the King – Katrina Nannestad. Freya Black.
Harper Collins Australia September 2025 Honestly, would you expect anything less than marvellous from this pair of celebrated creators? This is a truly lovely and fresh take on the nativity that will appeal to your Smalls greatly. It will also pave the way for some interesting discussions on changing perspectives in narratives with your older…
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This is an Elf – Beck & Matt Stanton
Harper Collins Australia August 2025 Earlier this year I reviewed the 10th anniversary edition of This is a Ball and just as that one and many other Stanton bursts of hysterical humour have entertained kids (and adults) over the past decade, so too will this one. Kids LOVE proving you wrong. And they especially love…
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The Thing About Christmas – Jo Dabrowski/Briony Stewart
Little Book Press September 2025 Simon & Schuster ISBN13: 9781923141407 RRP: LIST PRICE: AU$ 24.99 / NZ$ 29.99 The thing about Christmas is that it is an intensely individual festival for each and every person and family. This book is a sublime insight into that concept. Once upon a time, in my family our Christmas…
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Christmas Past: 1961 – Australian Women’s Weekly
Some months ago I found, at our favourite op shop, a stash of vintage Women’s Weekly magazines [reminds me of Sister Poppy saying that LOL]and though they were not cheap, I bought this one so I could share it for this year’s countdown. What a revelation it has been to get a glimpse of the…
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We Did Ok, Kid – Anthony Hopkins
Still looking for ideas for gifts? Or, like me, and just keep seeing things I know somebody I know would love. If you have family or friend interested in memoirs and/or acting, this is a superb choice. I read it over 4 nights and while some of it was a bit close to home for…
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