BOOK OF THE MONTH . . . OCTOBER

THE PUMPKIN WHO STOLE HALLOWEEN

by Michelle Robinson and Tom Knight

'This is a wickedly funny read that will have your child cackling along!'

That's exactly the response teachers received while reading to their students in grades 1 and 2 in the library.

The illustrations alone are bold and engaging and just as exciting!

There was much discussion because of the funny visuals and imaginative connections the children made.

This is another new book in the BPS Library!

SATURDAY 10th OCTOBER is

'LOVE YOUR BOOKSHOP DAY'

Visit your favourite local bookshop, talk to an expert.

You may discover an unexpected and favourite read.

Here are some book recommendations:

'ONCE I WAS A GIANT' by Zeno Sworder

2026 Picture Book of The Year Award

'INKED' by Karen Wasson and Jake A Minton

2026 Younger Readers Book of The Year Award

'PECULIAR PARENTS' by Stephanie Owen Reeder and Ingrid Bartkowiak

2026 Eve Pownall Book of The Year Award

'A LOO OF ONE'S OWN' by Eleri Harris

2026 New Illustrator Book of The Year Award

'THE EMPEROR'S EGG' by Rae Tan

2026 Early Childhood Book of The Year Award

Congratulations to all the amazing story creators and publishers bringinging Australian stories to life and enriching the joy of reading and learning!

All these books are now available in the BPS Library

VPRC 2026 CERTIFICATES WILL BE ARRIVING IN TERM 4!

BOOK REVIEWS!

This is what Jimi in Grade 4 said . . .

Stine, R.L

Young Scrooge: A Very Scary Christmas Story

'Amazing! Would have loved it to be even more scary. A great Christmas read!'

Brown, Peter.

The Wild Robot

'Read it in class ! Great detail and better than the movie! But the ending could have been better and it got a bit boring towards the end.'

CBCA 2026 SHORTLISTED BOOKS

Are you looking for a good book?

You are sure to like one of these books that has made it onto the shortlist for

'Book of The Year'awards!

We now have many of these new titles in the BPS Library.

Look below at the list!

Younger Readers

Run, Sarah Armstrong

Something Terrible: Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces, Sally Barton, illustrated by Christopher Nielsen

Little Bones, Sandy Bigna

Spirit of the Crocodile, Aaron Fa’aoso & Michelle Scott Tucker with Lyn White

The Paperbark Tree Committee, Karys McEwen

Inked, Karen Wasson, illustrated by Jake A Minton

Early Childhood

The Thing About Christmas, Jo Dabrowski, illustrated by Briony Stewart

Derek, Anne Donaldson, illustrated by Matt Shanks

Frogs Are Our Friends, Toni D’Alia, Madeline White

My Nonno Loves, Adelle Frittitta, illustrated by Claudia Frittitta

The Colours of Home, Sally Soweol Han

The Emperor’s Egg, Rae Tan

Picture Book of the Year

Bob and Dob, Sean E Avery

Tiwi in Paris, Glen Farmer Illortaminni

Dear Broccoli, Cate James, text by Jo Dabrowski

Dawn, Marc Martin

The Frog’s First Song, Jason Phu, text by Jazz Money

Once I was a Giant, Zeno Sworder (Kelsey's favourite)

Eve Pownall Award

There’s a Prawn in Parliament House: The Kids’ Guide to Australia’s Amazing Democracy, Annabel Crabb, illustrated by First Dog on the Moon

A Loo of One’s Own, Eleri Harris (true story)

Peculiar Parents, Stephanie Owen Reeder, illustrated by Ingrid Bartkowiak

The Thylacine and the Time Machine, Renée Treml

Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles, Corey Tutt, Ben Williams

Ningaloo, Tim Winton

New Illustrator

Save the Gum Trees, Bees and Big Blue Seas, Luke John Matthew Arnold

Beyond the Shore, Mark Chester Harding, text by Kirli Saunders

A Loo of One’s Own, Eleri Harris

Prayer for a River, Uncle Glenn Loughrey, text by Andrew Kelly & Uncle Glenn Loughrey

A Farm by the Sea, Jillian Packer (Gr 2 favoured this one!)

Being Indy, Estee Sarsfield, text by Zoe Gaetjens

CHILDREN'S BOOK COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA

Book of the Year Awards

The CBCA presents annual awards to Australian books of literary merit for outstanding contribution to Australian children’s literature.

The CBCA was founded in 1945, in a time when Australian children’s books were few and Australian authors and illustrators were virtually unknown. The Book of the Year Awards was established in 1946. The Awards aim to:

Promote quality literature for young Australians by Australians.

Support and encourage a wide range of Australian writers and illustrators of books for young people aged 0 to 18.

Celebrate contributions to Australian children’s literature.

These awards are now the most influential and highly respected literary awards for children in Australia. The Awards affirm the quality of some of Australia’s most creative people and provide a boost to their capacity to devote time to their craft.

Celebrate 80 years of the Book of the Year Awards with us in 2026.

THANK YOU!

Thank you for the book donations to the BPS LIBRARY and to our CLASSROOM LIBRARIES!

At times we find a lovely surprise outside our Library door! Thank you!

It is so nice to see a student pick up a pre-loved book to read!

So we just wanted you to know, you are making a difference and making someone smile.

Thank you for your wonderful book donations!

We love books at BPS!

OVERDUE BOOKS ALERT!

At times, some students have been disappointed that they cannot borrow a new book.

Please can you search for any overdue BPS books around your homes, cars, schoolbags etc.

There are many popular missing books from the library shelves that we would love to see returned.

Is your book LOST? Please replace it!

Thank you for your assistance!

READING QUOTE OF THE MONTH . . . OCTOBER

' Some people are born for Halloween and others are counting down the days until Christmas! Me, I'm just happy to read more books!'

Read every day!

Diana Farfalla

Kelsey Shepherd-Smith

Important Dates