Review: Gnoming About: Tree Mail Adventure by Liv Lorkin

 Gnoming About: Tree Mail Adventure is the first book in a new series by author Liv Lorkin.

Join Rocky, Daisy and Lucky the flowerpot gnomes on a top secret gnomie adventure.

The gnomes are enjoying a beachside holiday when they receive an urgent message to return to headquarters. A gnome has gone missing on a top secret mission. First they must find the missing gnome, inspect the tree mail network and also gather all the lost and missing postcards.

Follow along as Rocky, Daisy and Lucky, travelling in their flowerpot car, collect the lost postcards and repair the tree mail trees along the way.

Tree Mail Adventure is a whimsical nature filled adventure that is sure to capture the hearts and minds of younger readers.

Strength, brains and bravery are championed as the gnomes travel far and wide and work together to solve the problem of the tree mail. 

Light-hearted fun and a little bit of magic, Gnoming About: Tree Mail Adventure is a fun graphic novel for our littlest readers. A wonderful introduction to graphic novels with the story told mostly through visual story-telling.

Liv Lorkin's black and white cartoon style illustrations are bold and filled with emotion and spirit.

I am sure readers will be eager for the next Gnomie adventure.

My rating 4 / 5 🪴🪴🪴🪴

Recommended age: 7 - 9 Years

Publisher: Self Published

Publication date: 30th March 2026

Series: Gnoming About #1

Genre: Junior Fiction / Graphic Novel

Pages: 85

RRP: $16.95AU (softcover)

Source: Courtesy of the author

#gnomingabout #treemailadventure #livlorkin #graphicnovel #juniorfiction #australianauthor #childrensbooks

Review: My Busy Brain by Natalie Shaw

My Busy Brain is a wonderful picture book that not only explains an ADHD busy brain but celebrates it.

Meet Max, he has a busy brain which likes to think of lots of things at once. It can be lots of fun but it can also be confusing.

Written & illustrated by Natalie Shaw

Publisher: Self Published

Publication date: 26th February 2025

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 24

RRP: $19.99AU (softcover)

Source: courtesy of the author

I loved the analogy Natalie has used in the book, of tiny cars racing around and sending messages around the brain and body.

Max's brain is so busy he forgets what he is meant to be doing. Sometimes he tries to slow down those busy cars and it can be really hard.

My Busy Brain explains that frustration is normal and if your busy brain is affecting how you function and feel there are lots of ways to help you through each day. Things like working together with family and teachers, making a routine chart or taking a prescribed  medication.

Max explains how his medication affects his brain and helps him to be calm and learn at school.

My Busy Brain is the perfect story for children diagnosed with ADHD and their carers.

I love Natalie Shaw's super simple, adorable and childlike illustrations using stick figures, which absolutely, perfectly suit this little book as it is narrated by Max and this is exactly how I imagine Max would draw the pictures.

My Busy Brain gives children a gentle way to learn about ADHD and many a child will see themselves in Max and discover that their busy brain is something to be celebrated

If you have a child with ADHD My Busy Brain explains everything on a child's level that is easy for them to take in and understand. Reading the book together opens up an avenue for discussion.

My rating 5 / 5 🧠🧠🧠🧠🧠

Recommended age: 4 - 9 years

#mybusybrain #natalieshaw #kidsbooksaboutadhd #australianauthor #childrenspicturebook #ausbookbloggers 

Review: Valerie by Lucinda Gifford

Valerie - Australia's Bravest Sausage Dog

This story of Valerie was inspired by the amazing true story of a little dachshund lost for 529 days in the wilderness of Kangaroo Island, before she was eventually captured and reunited with her family.

This feat of courage and resilience inspired Lucinda Gifford to reimagine Valerie's time on the island. 

In this enchanting and heartwarming picture book Valerie is not lost but having a grand adventure, living the beach life, eating delicious, mostly stolen, food and enjoying the freedom of the outdoors. Until, feeling a bit homesick, she takes a long and arduous journey back to her family.

Valerie is an engaging picture book filled with fun and adventure. The cheeky little Valerie knows exactly what she is doing, enjoying the freedom to run around the beach and explore the terrain.

The fun and jaunty text perfectly adds to the theme of merrymaking and excitement.

Eagerly, Valerie looked all around.

Joyfully, Valerie felt her heart pound.

The wind blew her ears back.

The wild ocean ROARDED.

Children will love following this mischievous little pup as she steals food and runs wild and free, wondering all the way through the story if Valerie will be reunited with her family.

Valerie is a heartwarming story of adventure and also realising that there is no better place than your own cosy bed after a day exploring.

Spend a day with Valerie as she unintentionally takes a boat ride, gets swept overboard, is rescued by a pod of dolphins and spends a glorious day at the beach, running and playing and having the time of her life.

Lucinda Gifford's artwork is a story in itself. Each scene clearly pictures the story as it moves along. These picture scenes make the book ideal for younger pre-readers to read alone and make up their own words to go with the illustrations.

Valerie - Australia's Bravest Sausage Dog will be a treasured addition to any home library and will be enjoyed by dog lovers everywhere.

This is an independent and unofficial story of Valerie.

My rating 5 / 5 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕

Recommended age: 3-6 years

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Imprint: Albert Street Books

Publication date: 10th February 2026

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: $19.99AU (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher