25 Gorgeous Australian Picture Books from 2023

Posted on by Cristin

My annual “Gorgeous Australian Picture Books” tradition turns 6 this year! What started as a way to share some of the lovely picture books I was reading with my 4 year old and baby (most ones we picked up from the library that first year) has turned into a year-long mission with spreadsheets and well over a hundred books considered. The task of narrowing to 25 (up from 20 the first year) has never been harder.

As I’ve said in years past, this isn’t a “best-of” (I’d encourage you to have a look at the work my bookish pals and I have done with the Bookstagang for a more adjudicated, categorised list). I approach this list from an “artsplorer” perspective, rather than an educator or technical viewpoint. These are the books that stood out to my kids and me as touching our hearts, eyes, intellect and funny bones.

In no particular order – 25 (well, 27 actually) special book gems.

For more stunning Australian picture books, have a look at our previous lists:

I also write about picture and middle grades books all year around on Instagram.

If you can, I encourage you to purchase from your local bookshop. Or, bring this list to the library.

Some books in this list were sent to us by publishers for review consideration. I have noted those instances here, though it has not impacted the selection. If not noted, our copy was self-funded or borrowed.

The Concrete Garden

by Bob Graham

The Concrete Garden is exquisite. In this story, children from a large apartment building emerge into their community space (post-lockdown, though that is not explicitly said). One child has a box of sidewalk chalk, which is well-used by all the kids, creating something grand that brings them together, and also uplifts the adults from the building and beyond. It’s an ephemeral moment, one that lasts exactly as long as it needed to. It’s a testament to how perfect childhood creativity is. (We received a copy of The Concrete Garden from Walker Books for potential review)

Bowerbird Blues

by Aura Parker

Aura Parker is one of our absolute favorite illustrators, and this may just be her most beautiful book, yet. Male bowerbirds like to collect blue things to make their nests. In this story, one bowerbird bird searches for blue things everywhere – land, sea, and sky – knowing that it’s trying to find something, but unsure what. It’s a lovely story of longing and love.

This book will be the 2024 National Simultaneous Storytime book. (Bowerbird Blues is published by Scholastic).

The Lucky Shack

by Apsara Baldovino, illustrated by Jennifer Falkner

The Lucky Shack is something special. It is the tale of a fishing shack that is once well-loved and looked after by a fisherman. When he stops coming, the shack falls into disrepair and despair. This is until a fisherwoman finds it and brings it back to life and usefulness. The story and illustrations work on both literal and beautifully metaphorical levels. It’s about the importance of being cared for and feeling useful, about feeling grief and glimmers of hope. It’s a quiet book that emotionally stays with you. (We received a copy of The Lucky Shack from Harper Collins for potential review)

Craft Roach

by Rachel Burke, illustrated by Daniel Gray-Barnett

With the pairing of two of my favorites – the ebullient and endlessly delightful creators Rachel Burke and Daniel Gray-Barnett – and celebrating creativity – Craft Roach was one of my most anticipated picture books this year. Both Burke and Gray-Barnett always seem to have the importance of shining brightly in your own unique way as a central theme of their work, so it’s really a perfect author-illustrator match for this book. The story is divinely weird (roaches in feather boas? This is why I love picture books!) and the illustrations are bright and bursting with character and a million fun details. (Craft Roach is published by Bright Light/Hardie Grant.)

Pasta!

by Felice Arena, illustrated by Beatrice Cerocchi

This may be the best read-aloud this year, and definitely one of the most original. Most of the text is the names of pasta – and if that doesn’t sound fun, you have clearly never said “Tortellini, Capellini, Bucatini!” It’s a celebration of language and also of the community that’s as elemental to Italian cooking as the food itself. Whether you’re Italian or just appreciate a big bowl of pasta, I can’t recommend this picture book more highly. (We received a copy of Pasta! from Affirm Press for potential review)

Tiny Tradies

by Tami Sussman, illustrated by Tom Jellett

So cute! The Tiny Tradies are pre-school aged kids of grown-up tradies, and their day is extremely busy with tradie business! Of course kids emulate what they see their parents do, and these Tiny Tradies have really got the job down. With adorably detailed illustrations by Tom Jellett (I love the high-vis orange throughout), every page is really clever. (We received a copy of Tiny Tradies from Affirm Press for potential review)

Your Head’s Not the Place to Store Problems In

by Josh Pyke, illustrated by Stephen Michael King

A meeting of two brilliant artistic minds, in service of a message that many young people can use. The narrator tells about a friend who carries weighty problems in their mind. The text is lyrical, coming from the pen of an artist who writes music, so it truly works in a way that many verse books don’t. The illustrations are completely unique – characters whose heads are brimming with cogs and tools. If you have a young worrier in your life, this is the book I’d suggest, both for its message and artistic excellence. (Your Head’s Not the Place to Store Problems In is published by Scholastic)

You’ve Got This / Your Softness is Your Strength

by Jess Sanders, illustrations by Irina Avgustinovic /Jorge Garcia Redondo

Carrying on with kids with worries and big thoughts, I am such a big fan of Jess Sanders’ “Life Lessons for Little Ones” series. Honestly, there are so many books about kids and feelings that I just think fall a little short (the one above excepted!), but these books are truly useful. Sanders is a social worker, and she brings real know-how in terms of tone and actionable advice to these petite books. You’ve Got This discusses worries – the reasons we worry, that worry is normal, and some ways to tame worries. Your Softness Is Your Strength celebrates people with a soft nature, offering support for the times when it’s hard to be a gentle, quiet soul. Each book also has a page for adult companions on how best to use the books with little people. These books are small but mighty! (We received copies of You’ve Got This and Your Softness is Your Strength from Affirm Press for potential review)

Good Morning, My Deer!

by Mel Amon, illustrated by Sophie Beer

Good Morning, My Deer is a homonym party, and we loved it. In the story, we go through a day with a little deer (a dear deer, if you will). Each page has both word and visual plays on the alternate meaning of a number of words. The concept took a little explaining for my kindergartener, who doesn’t read much, yet; but when she got it, she got it. My 10 year old was all in on the fun, and they’ve both loved poring over the endpapers and picking out their favorite plays on words. (We received a copy of Good Morning, My Deer! from Scribble Books for potential review.)

Stay for Dinner

by Sandhya Parappukkaran, illustrated by Michelle Pereira

This is the third picture book by this amazing author/illustrator duo, and they are all stand-out stories about children from immigrant families in Australia. In Stay for Dinner, Reshma experiences dinner time at the houses of some of her friends and realizes that dinner at her house isn’t quite the same. When her friends come to dinner at hers, she’s nervous about what they will think of eating with her hands and her grandmother’s customary after dinner burp! The tables full of food and domestic scenes are luscious. And, there is such delightful language around the food – “gravy splashes,” “sauce splatters,” “rice rains down.” It’s really a feast for the eyes, ears and heart. (Stay for Dinner is published by Bright Light/Hardie Grant)

Who’s Afraid of the Light?

by Anna McGregor

From the first glimpse at the glow-in-the-dark cover, Who’s Afraid of the Light is a show-stopper. It is about Fergus, a creature who lives in the Midnight Zone of the ocean. He’s not afraid of the dark, but he’s not terribly fond of the light! The narrator has a conversation with Fergus, trying to find out what sort of creature he might be, but he’s never seen himself, so he can’t help. We get a few clues when other deep sea animals with bioluminescence swim by, but it’s quite the surprise when we finally get a glimpse of Fergus! For fact-loving kids, there’s a great information page in the back. This is such a cool book, celebrating the mysterious, weird, and largely unknown world of the deep sea. (We received a copy of Who’s Afraid of the Light? from Scribble Books for potential review)

In My Garden

by Kate Mayes, illustrated by Tamsin Ainslie

In My Garden takes us on a tour of gardens around the world. We begin in a Japanese garden with bonsai and koi fish, move to a garden of cacti in the American Southwest, and tour cities, villages and remote locales across Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania. At each location, we meet a person connected to the garden and learn a bit about what the garden means to them. The text offers a very thoughtful, personal look at a number of different cultures. You might wish that you could step right into these pictures. The detail work is something else. No green thumb is required to appreciate the beauty of this book! (We received a copy of In My Garden from Harper Collins for potential review)

When You’re a Boy

by Blake Nuto

A boy and his dad are on a hiking adventure together – rugged, sprawling terrain, which is gorgeously depicted in water colour spreads. The text uses nature to juxtapose what boys are taught about how they are meant to be with many gentle, thoughtful, and more nuanced ways of approaching life. It is a potential conversation starter for anyone – but male-identifying adults, in particular – with a young boy in their life. (We received a copy of When You’re a Boy from Affirm Press for potential review)

Timeless

by Kelly Canby

Emit starts thinking about time (it is his name spelled backwards, after all!). There’s a lot to think about – like how it flies or how people are always losing track of it . Emit wonders how to get more, but there’s so much conflicting advice! Canby uses many familiar phrases about time in a really clever way. We loved all the word play, and the message at the end turns out quite lovely. The illustrations are pure joy to look at. She creates a whole world with her colorful, expressive pictures. I also have to mention the endpapers. We love fun endpapers and these punny ones are as good as they come. (Timeless is published by Fremantle Press).

Freckles

by Catherine Jinks, illustrated by Jennifer Goldsmith

As a life-long “freckle face,” Freckles really spoke my language. It is, in short, a celebration of a child’s freckles. Just about everything in the book was familiar to me – and probably most of my fellow frecklies – counting freckles, naming them, dot-to-dot, and so on. I would have loved a book about my freckles when I was a kid. This one is for all the freckle-faces! (Freckles is published by Little Hare/Hardie Grant)

Australia: Country of Colour

by Jess Raclyeft

Jess Racklyeft just does not stop illustrating stunning books, and she’s truly outdone herself here. Each spread features a colour, with illustrations of many Australian animals who fit into that classification. It’s lush and vibrant, and it’s also a bit larger than your average picture book, so it feels significant. It’s not the sort of book that you read in one sitting, but return to over and over to explore more animals. This is the book I brought overseas to all the kids we know, as it is such a striking representation of this country. (We received a copy of Australia: Country of Colour from Affirm Press for potential review).

Australian Animals From Beach to Bush

by Brentos

Even more Aussie animals! We adored Brentos’s previous picture book, Australia From Dawn to Dusk, falling in love with the inviting pastel palette, soft, curvy lines, and all manner of Australiana. We were elated for another Brentos book, and this one is even cooler. This book features animals in a number of Australian habitats, from coral reefs to eucalyptus forests. There is a strong emphasis on conservation, with each animal coded by its endangered status. The best thing is that each page is a search and find (!!!), with many animals hidden in each habitat. My kids have had so much fun with it. This book will appeal to a very wide age range of kids. (We received a copy of Australia From Beach to Bush from Affirm Press for potential review)

Giinagay Gaagal: Hello Ocean /My Little Barlaagany (Sunshine)

by Melissa Greenwood

Melissa Greenwood added two books to her collection, which began with last year’s Miimi Marraal. These beauties are inspired by her life growing up Goori on Country on the mid-North Coast of NSW. Her Gumbaynggirr language is woven into the simple, comforting text. Giinagay Gaagal is an appreciation of a day spent at the ocean. My Little Barlaagany is an ode to the end of the day, one where the comforts of culture welcome sleep and thoughts of the adventures in nature to be had the next day. They feature Greenwood’s divine art work, both cultural and contemporary, and completely engrossing. Either of these – or all three together – would make such a perfect gift for a baby shower or new baby welcoming gift. (We received copies of Ginagay Gaagal and My Little Barlaagany from Harper Collins for potential review)

Pocket Treasure

by Wenda Shurety, illustrations by Juliana Oakley

Allira has a favorite thing to wear. It’s her dress with two pockets. There are so many treasures to put in her pockets! She also loves to share them. Her paper clips, buttons, and little pieces of crayon are just the thing to help out everyone in her class. But what happens when she’s run out of treasures, just as *she* needs some? Her friends have treasure in their pockets, too. The idea of pocket treasures is such a special little bit of early childhood – when you are awed by bits and bobs that are too wonderful not to keep. I’m sure most parents can recall pockets full of sticks, pebbles, leaves, and all manner of things that we adults would not have given a second glance to. For Aussie kids, the illustrations are full of beautiful native flora and fauna that makes it feel even more familiar. I just love Allira and her dress with pockets. (We received a copy of Pocket Treasure from Affirm Press for potential review)

Count the Stars

by Raewyn Caisley, illustrated by Gabriel Evans

We’ve read many books about kids who lose themselves in literature, but featuring far less frequently is kids who are mad about math. Maddie is a kid who loves everything about math – it makes sense to her mind and the possibilities thrill her. A trip to the observatory opens her mind to numbers bigger than she can count, as well as a new friendship with a girl who thinks a lot like she does. Math vocabulary is highlighted on each page. Evans’ thoughtful illustrations give so much personality to Maddie, helping to show how math is a huge part of her very creative, artistic life. (We received a copy of Count the Stars from Walker Books for potential review)

Nothing Alike

by Zewlan Moor, illustrated by Peter Cheong

Inspired by #SorryWrongAsian, Zewlan Moor’s debut picture book has come out swinging – with generosity and humour – at the mistaken identities that many Asian people face from people who can’t tell them apart from other Asian people who may not even look much alike. A young boy, Reuben, thinks he can’t tell his classmates Esmé and Eunwoo apart. But, when he makes an effort, he begins to notice many differences that make it clear who is who. There’s a clever twist at the end that perfectly turns the problem on its head. This may not be a problem that we like to talk about much, but it certainly exists in schools and everywhere else. I love that Zewlan Moor has given us a tool for opening the conversation. (Nothing Alike is published by Bright Light/Hardie Grant)

Mr Clownfish, Miss Anemone and the Hermit Crab

by Sean E Avery

Sean E Avery has become a fast favorite in our home this year (my kids devoured the first two instalments of his comic series Friendly Bee and Friends). A symbiotic friendship between a clownfish and an anemone forms the basis of this story, and it has everything: high stakes, devotion, a shadowy character, a possible kidnapping, a broken heart, and redemption. We love the quirky characters, visual jokes, and funny turns of phrase. This one is great fun to read out loud and to look at. (We received a copy of Mr Clownfish, Miss Anemone and the Hermit Crab from Walker Books for potential review )

Eat My Dust!

by Neridah McMullin, illustrated by Lucia Masciullo

History isn’t always this fun, but goodness gracious, is Eat My Dust! ever a hoot. In 1928, Jean Robertson and Kathleen Howell broke the land speed record from Perth to Adelaide. They met discrimination and naysayers who thought women shouldn’t be driving, let alone racing – but, they left them all in their dust. Their tale is told with energy and reverence – a tribute to pioneering women and a determined Outback spirit. History comes alive in this book. (We received a copy of Eat My Dust! from Walker Books for potential review)

Nightsong

by Sally Soweol Han

A long and ordinary day for a little boy becomes unexpectedly magical when a tyre goes flat on the bus he and his mum are riding home. He wanders off just a little way into a nearby field and starts to notice how much life there is all around him. The story is mostly told in onomatopoeic sounds, making this an eexceptional book for early childhood. The artistic choice made with the illustrations is so effective in highlighting how the boy is experiencing his adventure: the pictures are monochromatic – heavily black and white – aside from the things that draw his attention, including all of the sound words and the night animals. It’s an enchanting way to see the night from a child’s perspective. (Nightsong is published by UQP)

Dorothy

by Jordan Collins, illustrated by Myo Yim

Sometimes we can forget that picture books are not just for children. Every now and then, we get one that reminds me how transcendent the art of picture books can be. Dorothy is absolutely one of those books.

It opens with The Wizard of Oz’s Dorothy clicking her ruby slippers, summoning home. We then meet a girl in red Doc Martens wondering where home is for her. What happens if you can’t just magically click your boots for home? What follows is the most exquisite journey of self-discovery. If there is someone in your life – particularly a teen or young adult- who is in a period of life transition or is feeling unmoored, this would be such a meaningful gift. (Dorothy is published by Puffin)

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