25 Gorgeous Australian Picture Books from 2024

When I started this page, reading was an regular part of our family’s life, but I had no idea how many picture books are published each year or how to find the really wonderful gems that weren’t necessarily heavily stocked at department stores.

The further down this picture book rabbit hole I started going, the more books I wanted to discover. The more I discovered, the louder I wanted any megaphone I had to tell everyone with children in their lives about these thoughtfully created, artistic, smart, entertaining books. So, in 2018, I started this list of the some of the year’s Gorgeous Australian Picture Books.

Each year, my appreciation for the art of picture books grows, as does the number of books that cross my path! It is work narrowing the list to 25!

As I always say, I come to this list from an “artsplorer’s” perspective. I’m not a teacher or a librarian. I’m a parent who appreciates words, art, and the brilliant thing that happens when the two meet as picture books.

Below you will find 25 books by Australian creators, published in Australia, that stood out to my kids and me as exemplary. I hope you’ll gift these books, add them to your collection, and seek them out on library shelves.

Some books in this list were sent to us by publishers for review consideration. I have noted those instances, though it has not impacted the selection. If not noted, our copy was self-funded or borrowed. I don’t make any money off of this list. If you plan to purchase any of the books you’ve read about here, please do consider buying from an independent bookstore.

Can’t get enough gorgeous Aussie picture books? Here are all of the previous lists!

You can also find the Aussie Bookstagang’s Best of 2024 – including picture books, junior fiction and middle grades on Instagram. (Don’t forget the Kids’ Choice Awards!)

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

2024 Picture Books

The Truck Cat

by Deborah Frenkel, illustrated by Danny Snell

This is a sensitively crafted story about immigrant life, connection, and home. Yacoub is a new immigrant, and he travels the country in a big rig with his only friend, Tinka – a cat. They both have memories of their old homes and loved ones, so understand each other. Loss and connection are explored delicately. The words and illustrations avoid sentimentality, while inviting us into some pretty deep emotions. The Truck Cat has been named at the 2025 National Simultaneous Storytime book – it fills me with joy that so many more people are going to get to know this story. (The Truck Cat is published by Hardie Grant)

Good Hair

by Yvonne Sewankambo, illustrated by Freda Chiu

The hair joy in this book is the best – it is for anyone who has ever had hair struggles (which, is pretty much all of us, at some point, right?). It’s about Birungi, who is finding her hair too much when everything in the morning feels hard. She HATES her hair! So, her parents show her all sorts of hair in order to help her discover the secret to a good hair day. This celebration of all things hair is fun to read out loud and ebulliently illustrated. Every page – including the endpapers – is so much fun. (We received a copy of Good Hair for potential review from Walker Books)

Dinosaur in My Pocket

by Ashleigh Barton, illustrated by Blithe Fielden

A very relatable story told with empathy. When James takes something that isn’t his because he thinks it will make him happy, it starts to grow and grow, and isn’t anything like he wanted. The metaphor about his guilty feelings is simple and clear. There is no explicit judgement of James through shaming language or even punishment from his parents. Kids can see that everyone can make a mistake and that correcting it is something they have it within themselves to choose. When James eventually works hard to get what he wants, the feeling is just right. (We received a copy of Dinosaur in My Pocket for potential review from Hachette)

Digger Digs Down

by Johanna Bell, illustrated by Huni Melissa Bolliger

This is pretty much the perfect book for story times and early readers. It follows a little dog, Digger, who – appropriate to his name – digs and digs. The text is minimal – almost poetic – with excellent use of simple directional words, onomatopoeia, and alliteration. They are thoughtfully laid out on each page, illustrated by the *stunning* art. Jewel tones and autumnal colors are so eye-catching and the overall effect is like a happy dream. (We received a copy of Digger Digs Down for potential review from UQP)

Lights Out, Little Dragon!

by Debra Tidball, illustrated by Rae Tan

Another engaging read-aloud that would work a charm for story times. A tired child tries their hardest to get their cheeky little dragon to go to sleep. Kids and parents will love the twist on the child being the one trying to get someone to bed – the tactics may seem familiar to many families! Especially engaging is the way in which listeners are invited to participate in the bedtime attempts, with an invitation to say things, move or touch the book. This book may not actually get your kid to bed, but it will probably make them laugh. (Lights Out, Little Dragon! is published by Angus & Robertson / Harper Collins)

A Leaf Called Greaf

by Kelly Canby

A book for children. A book for adults. A book for anyone at any stage of the grief process. Bear is alone – but, the white outlines of other bears suggests that his thoughts are with those who are no longer with him. He becomes attached to a green leaf. He calls it Greaf. He carries Greaf everywhere (the outlines are their, as well) until Greaf begins to change. It’s hard to feel hope when you are wrapped in grief, but I think one can find it here with Bear and Greaf. This is the type of book that reminds you of one of the best reasons that why we have picture books – to teach us how to understand with things that are simultaneously too complex and too simple for factual explanations. Only perfectly crafted metaphors and imagery tell the truth. (A Leaf Called Greaf is published by Fremantle Press)

Bernie Thinks in Boxes

by Jess Horn, illustrated by Zoe Bennett

Bernie has a “box” in her mind for all of the different parts of her life. This is illustrated with charming boxes for everything, from each member of her family to meals, school and so forth. For Bernie, the trouble comes when things from one box find their way into another box -like a school friend’s party at the park. She tries, but it just doesn’t work for her to put something from her school box into her park box. It makes so much sense as to why the party would be hard when we know about her boxes. A beautifully rendered story of how some people’s brains process the world, and perhaps the best picture book about neurodiversity I’ve seen, to date. (We received a copy of Bernie Thinks in Boxes from Affirm Press for potential review)

Hide & Seek Beautiful

by Nicki Esler Gill, illustrated by Jedda Robaard

Annie and Boo have been friends since birth, so when Boo moves away, Annie is unmoored. All of the beautiful joys she’d known were things she’d experienced as a pair with Boo. Eventually, from grief, she starts to notice beautiful things around her. Finding beautiful becomes a game of hide and seek, and when she gets to see Boo again, they can share the game together. The language is charmingly specific, inviting us into a sensory experience of beauty. The illustrations are full of movement and emotion. This is a book for sensitive souls. (We received a copy of Hide & Seek Beautiful from the author for potential review. It is published by Scholastic)

The Garden of Broken Things

by Freya Blackwood

A fanciful little mystery, The Garden of Broken Things shows us a world just out of view. Behind the “scary” house in town, a young girl follows a cat into an overgrown garden to meet a statue-like woman on a bench. She sits and talks with her for a long time, until the woman is awakened (literally or metaphorically – you can decide). It is this awakening, through attention paid, that the garden opens up for everyone. Blackwood is an expert at nuanced scenes, and she has also made fascinating use of white space. This isn’t a book with clear answers, but one that entices both children and adults with feelings of connection, loneliness, misunderstanding and compassion. (The Garden of Broken Things is published by Angus & Robertson/Harper Collins)

Book of Hours

by Clare McFadden

Another stunning book that you’ll want to take your time looking at and considering is Book of Hours. Through images – snippets in time – and carefully chosen words, this is an exploration of time and memory. Beginnings and endings. Timelines – real and perceived. We follow one character through photos, postcards, memories and images even more ethereal, and it become clear that the past is not just a mark on a timeline, but always with you, and one’s experience of it is always expanding. This is one of those picture books that will work at least as well for teens and adults as for young children. If you know someone embarking on a new journey, this would be a book to treasure. (We received a copy of Book of Hours for potential review from Walker Books)

Yanga Mother

by Cheryl Leavy, illustrated by Christopher Bassi

Seemingly simple, this book actually has so many layers to appreciate and discuss. Written in both Kooma and English, Yanga Mother looks at the unshakeable bond between a mother kangaroo and her joey. Cheryl Leavy does not need a lot of words – as she has chosen them so precisely – to convey how profound this mother/child relationship is. Christopher Bassi’s illustrations radiate emotion – as you can see from the cover image. At the end of the book, an author’s note explains that this book is written in honour of the First Nations women impacted by the Stolen Generation. It is inspired by a story told by Leavy’s grandmother and the song she sang to feel the connection with her mother after being taken away at 11 years old. There is also a glossary of the Kooma words used in the book. Teachers, I can imagine that this book would be so rich for study with students of any age. And, at home, mothers – pull your little or big kid onto your lap and share this story of a bond that you’ll inherently understand. (We received a copy of Yanga Mother from UQP for potential review)

Before We Met

by Gabrielle Tozer, illustrated by Sophie Beer

Before We Met is also about the parent-child bond. It is a wish that will be familiar to most parents, made in anticipation of a new child, a simple wish for the life and love they will build together. Sophie Beer can always be counted on for the most bright, joyful and inclusive illustrations. All of the families on these pages are different, as are the ways in which they will welcome their child, including through IVF and adoption. The common denominator is the gratitude and happiness when their wish comes true. (Before We Met is published by Angus & Roberston/Harper Collins)

Words That Taste Like Home

by Sandhya Parappukkaran, illustrated by Michelle Pereira

For the fourth year in a row, Parappukkaran and Pereira have created a divine picture book about the specific feelings and experiences of children whose families have immigrated to Australia. Words That Taste Like Home is about a child with a deep connection to his grandmother. When his family moves across the world, he slowly starts to lose his native language and his ability to communicate with her. It is a visit home, and their connection through food, that helps him reconnect with the deep experience of his native language and the special relationship he has with Muthassi. The text is its own poetry and the illustrations are lush with visual metaphors. As long as this dream team continues creating perfect picture books, I will be putting them on my list of favourites! (Words That Taste Like Home is published by Bright Light/Hardie Grant)

To Stir With Love

by Kate Mildenhall, illustrated by Jess Racklyeft

The connection between grandparents and grandchildren who cook together is also central to To Stir With Love. A young girl visits Grandma every week. The best thing that they do together is make cakes from Grandma’s special recipe. The cakes are for all occasions, bringing joy to the people in their life. But, the girl can’t help but notice that sometimes Grandma forgets things. She worries about the future with Grandma, and is also conscious of the need for her to act just a bit more grown up for this person she loves. For today, though, they have their cake, and the ability to make it is something that she will always carry with her. Jess Racklyeft is one of the best children’s book illustrators in Australia, and her watercolour style compliments this sensitively written story about cherishing today, while knowing that it won’t last forever. (To Stir With Love is published by Simon & Schuster)

I Wonder: A Book of Questions With No Answers

by Philip Bunting

I Wonder is a book that ponders the big questions in life.
What happened before the Big Bang?
Why do we make art?
What is it like to be a tree?
Why are we here? … just to name a few of the real head scratchers that Philip Bunting tackles.
Each question is illustrated in Bunting’s signature graphic, quirky style and answered in one paragraph. The questions may not all be answerable, but the responses serve as a jumping off point for more thoughtful consideration by those kids who always have more how and why queries. (We received a copy of I Wonder for potential review from Walker Books)

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Tooth Fairy (and Some Things You Didn’t)

by Briony Stewart

Speaking of tough questions from kids – how about all those questions they have about the Tooth Fairy? Briony Stewart has really done her research in this comprehensive guide to all things Tooth Fairy (well, Fairies … did you know that there are actually millions of them?). What they eat, where they live, how they carry the money around and so much more. File this one under Information Books because we really learned a lot! (Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Tooth Fairies (and Some Things You Didn’t) is published by Lothian/Hachette)

Fairy Beach

by Sheila Knaggs, illustrated by Jennifer Falkner

There are tooth fairies and then there are … beach fairies! What if you found out that your regular beach actually has a secret world of fairies who come out to play at night? It’s the dreamy premise of Fairy Beach. The verse text makes it a sweet read-aloud, paired swimmingly with the divine illustrations. From the charming cast of fairies to the winsome beach scenery, we are taken into such a magical world. Our family have pored over these pages many times since receiving this book, loving all the details and the wonder of fairy play. (We received a copy of Fairy Beach for potential review from Affirm Press)

When Dinosaurs Roamed Australia

by Sarah Jane Lightfoot

Moving on from tiny fairies to something much bigger … dinosaurs! Thanks to Sarah Jane Lightfoot’s illustrations, these are about the prettiest dinosaurs I’ve seen. I adore all of the Australian plants and scenery that make this book very Aussie specific. Special mention to what may be my favourite endpapers of the year. It’s an information book about dinosaurs who once roamed this country, told in easy rhyming text, with each dinosaur labeled on its spread. At the end, there is more information about each species and a map of where their fossils have been found. I’d particularly recommend this one to pre-school/early primary dino fans. (We received a copy of When Dinosaurs Roamed Australia for potential review from Affirm Press)

Pancakes for Plum

by Rae Tan

The sweetest book for the younger siblings. Plum – who is just the cutest – wishes she had a special talent like her older brothers. She tries theirs, but they are not for her. When she encounters the piano, it’s like the the feeling of pancakes to her. Gold leaf pancake illustrations are a special touch. Plum does have to work hard at her music, but she knows she’s found her special thing. So many siblings will relate to following along with big sibling’s interests and the desire to find something that they uniquely excel at. (We received a copy of Pancakes for Plum for potential review from Hachette)

Listen, Hippo

by Gabriel Evans

There is so much wisdom in this book for young people. Billy is feeling sad and tries to talk to his best friend Hippo about it. Hippo – being a great friend – tries all of his tactics to help Billy feel happy again. But, what Billy really needs is just for Hippo to listen to him, not to cheer him up. What a thoughtful message for kids – and actually plenty of adults, too! Friends don’t always have to fix things, they just have to be there. (Listen, Hippo is published by Penguin)

Reading to Baby

by Margaret Wild, illustrated by Hannah Sommerville

A divine look at the connection that comes from reading together: Baby Dora has four big brothers, and they all want to do special things with her. Peter decides that his job is to read with her. As they grow, the siblings all have their special activities- Peter continues to be the one who reads with her. The illustrations of Dora and Peter reading together capture the worlds that seems to come from the page – giant beanstalks, mermaid realms and more. It’s clear how special their reading ritual is and how much imagination it builds for both of them. I do believe Peter has the best job of all the brothers. This is an especially high quality published book, with really nice thick pages for the lush spreads. It would be a great baby shower/new baby book – especially for a family with older siblings. ( We received a copy of Reading to Baby for potential review from Affirm Press)

Party Rhyme

by Antonia Pesenti

A festive follow up to the brilliant Rhyme Cordial and Rhyme Hungry, this chunky book with fold-out surprise pages really is a party in book form. Each page features some regular party item – “Birthday Balloons,” then folds out to something wacky and rhyming – “Birthday Baboons”. The silly rhymes and how they are illustrated is a celebration of silliness. We love this big, graphic, hilarious board book. (We received a copy of Party Rhyme for potential review from Scribble)

Amid the Sand Dunes

by Andrew Rowe, illustrated by Hannah Sommerville

Another divine board book follow up – Amid the Sand Dunes carries on from last year’s In the Rockpool. This time, we have kids exploring the simple wonders of the outdoors in sand dunes. Andrea Rowe’s text is simple but delicious, descriptive language (“whooshing wind wizzes past…”). Hannah Sommerville is a master of portraying the glory of a childhood in nature – her sand dunes are lush and gloriously detailed. You’ll read it, then want to head into the great outdoors with the family. (Amid the Sand Dunes is published by Hardie Grant)

Footprint

by Phil Cumming, illustrated by Sally Soweol Han

The wonder of nature is also the theme of Footprint. Illustrator Sally Soweol Han seems to have an affinity for the unique bond between children and their natural world, so Phil Cummings text about spiritually embracing nature has given her a literal whole world wo work with. We go on an adventure through forests, jungles, meadows, deserts, polar and more. The journey is both a call to take care of our environment and a metaphor for the trials and joys in life. Most of all, we’re reminded to stop and breathe. (Footprint is published by Allen & Unwin)

Over or Under?

by Pip Harry, illustrated by Jean Tapper

While awe-inspiring, nature can also sometimes be scary. Case in point – the ocean. Aussies on the coasts may be lucky enough to have access to our beautiful beaches, but that doesn’t mean that ocean swimming comes naturally! In Over or Under?, Maisie is on a beach holiday with her family. Dad is teaching her to duck dive waves, but when she gets dumped, she loses her water confidence. This is a story about resilience and about safety and enjoyment in the ocean. As a nippers family, I love this book. It would also be a great one to give before a summer beach trip. (Over or Under? is published by Lothian/Hachette)

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