Athina Clarke
Athina Clarke is from Readings Carlton
Review — 1 Sep 2023
The Universal Guide to the Night Sky by Lisa Harvey-Smith & Sophie Beer (illus.)
Enthralled by the night sky as a child, award-winning astrophysicist Lisa Harvey-Smith has an infectious passion for the universe, a love she’s expert in sharing.
Appropriate for both Northern and…
Review — 30 Jul 2023
Cub and Brown by Edwina Wyatt & Evie Brown (illus.)
This heartwarming tale of adventure and friendship is irresistibly playful, steeped in humour, wit and a dash of whimsy – I was charmed from the very beginning. Cub and Brown …
Review — 3 Jul 2023
The Gargoyle by Zana Fraillon & Ross Morgan (illus.)
The muted, sombre illustrations emanating from the pages of The Gargoyle beckon us into a grungy urban setting: the dirty central station of a decaying city, a graffiti covered train…
Review — 20 Apr 2023
Etta and the Octopus by Zana Fraillon
When Oswald the octopus mysteriously appears in Etta’s bath and proceeds to fill every corner of her life with his challenging (but hilarious) ways, she decides it’s time for her…
Review — 27 Feb 2023
Izzy and Belle (The Isabelle Stories, Volume 1) by Jane Godwin & Robin Cowcher (illus.)
Isabelle is an observant, thoughtful and persistent child who lives with her Dad and Steve the cat. When she’s not caring for her baby cousin Bibi, Isabelle navigates the little…
Review — 27 Feb 2023
Detective Gordon: A Case with a Bang by Ulf Nilsson, Julia Marshall (trans.) & Gitte Spee (illus.)
Set in a friendly forest of lovable animal characters, A Case with a Bang is as delightful as its three predecessors – full of humour, wit and a dash of…
Review — 2 Feb 2023
Running with Ivan by Suzanne Leal
Thirteen-year-old Leo finds himself in challenging circumstances: not just those of a new school, a new home and family but, worst of all, sharing a room with a bullying stepbrother.
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Review — 2 Feb 2023
Tumbleglass by Kate Constable
When she helps her sister, Ash, paint her bedroom, Rowan finds a mysterious ring that transports them back in time to a party held in their home in 1999. Both…
Blog post — 22 Nov 2022
Children's book buyer favourites of 2022 – Athina Clarke
Our Malvern Children's Book Buyer, Athina Clarke, is sharing her favourite titles of the past year. They include gorgeous picture books, offbeat junior novels, and powerful books for older readers.
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Review — 26 Oct 2022
Silver Leaves by Gladys Milroy
A catastrophic event forces noisy daytime birds into the quiet gum tree of the nocturnal Owl and Night Parrot. Initially vexed but soon realising the birds are homeless, Owl and…
