Library
Kelsey Shepherd-Smith and Diana Farfalla
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.
'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