A Letter to My Best Friend by Yangsook Choi

29 May 2026 Leave a comment

by Amy in 3 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: , , ,

Published: 9 July 202Goodreads badge4
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Illustrator: Yangsook Choi
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★  – 3 Stars

Today is the day I’ll make friends.
At least, that’s what I promise myself.

Jihun recently moved to the United States. In his new classroom, he receives an assignment to write a letter to his best friend―but he’s not sure how it will turn out. First off, he’s still learning English. Second, he doesn’t have any friends at school yet. What’s more, his best friend back in Korea can’t read.

Fueled by wonderful memories of his former home, Jihun uses his creativity to craft a letter for his best friend, Oto. The result is nothing short of extraordinary and opens a door for Jihun to make new friends.

This is a sweet story about taking a chance and learning to try things even if it’s scary. I enjoyed how our character Jihun tells the story of his cat friend back in Korea. The creative way the Arabic letters are used to draw is clever and the apprehension and the uncertainty comes across really well. The revelation at the end is great and the hopeful ending is a great reward.

The illustrations are realistic and I liked the layout of the present on one side and the past on the other. As Jihun tells us about his memories with Oto in the present we see them reflected in the past.

It is relatively simple but the story captures Jihun’s old life and we understand the connection and friendship he had with Oto. It’s a sweet story about finding a new home and reflecting on what you’ve lost while embracing change.

You can purchase A Letter to my Best Friend via the following

QBD |  Booktopia

 Blackwell’s | Angus & Robertson

Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

Norman Blue, I’m a Cocky Too by Laura Albulario

15 May 2026 Leave a comment

by Amy in 3 Stars, Australian Women Writers Tags: , , ,

Published: 1 February 2023Goodreads badge
Publisher: Starfish Bay Children’s Books
Illustrator: Abi Fraser
Pages: 44
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★  – 3 Stars

Norman Blue tries hard to fit in with the flock, in this funny, heartwarming story about having the courage to accept yourself. Norman Blue badly wants to fit in, but he has a secret: he doesn’t have a crest like the other cockatoos. He tries to do all the things cockatoos do: screeching when he’d rather sing, preening vainly, munching on houses, and poo-bombing across town. But when he loses his fake crest one day, he meets a unique possum and realises he can have the courage to be who he is, too. In this charmingly illustrated story about difference and bravery, readers will learn the power of self-acceptance.

Norman doesn’t like doing normal cockatoo things, he wants to do his own thing if only he could find the courage. I was briefly confused as to whether Norman actually was a cockatoo or whether he wished he was. I’m still not entirely sure he is a cockatoo given how different he looks to the others, but it could be Main Character Syndrome where he needs to stand out, bald head and all, so we don’t lose him in the story.

The story is about trying to fit in, especially when you come from a flock that look identical it’s hard to stand out, as we see with Norman you feel compelled to go with the crowd. The narrative plays into the cheekiness of cockatoos and their destructive nature, we watch as the birds chew on everything and poo all over town.

The story has a good solid pace and rhyme. The formatting highlights words to help readers see where each rhyme takes place which is an interesting choice. The rhythm flows well as you read, easily a page turner as you flow through the narrative but stops short of being a sing song melodic text.

The illustrations are fun, double page spreads of full colour. Fraser has balanced the cartoon vs real depictions of the animals well, even with the comic and personification of these characters. The pictures are not complicated but there is enough to look at and enjoy before moving on.

I loved Norman’s little hedgehog friend. It’s definitely not an echidna, which is a shame given Albulario is Australian. But they are adorable. They are Norman’s cheer squad, support team, and they often try to help him with his struggles. They are a nice little addition to the reading experience even though they have little to no connection to the actual story.

Overall, it’s a nice story. A great reminder that standing out is ok, and could turn out for the better. You don’t have to be one of the crowd, you can simply be yourself.

You can purchase Norman Blue I’m a Cocky Too via the following

 Blackwell’s | Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

The Wilderness by Steve McCarthy

01 May 2026 Leave a comment

by Amy in 1 Star, The Picture Book Corner Tags: , , ,

Published: 1st September 2022Goodreads badge
Publisher: Walker Books
Illustrator: Meg McLaren
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book
★  – 1 Star

In this gorgeously illustrated whimsical tale, a young boy who fears the outdoors becomes lost in the forest . . . and discovers not only his courage but a new friend, too.

The Vasylenko family are all adventurers who love wild places and wild things. All, that is, except young Oktober. He also dreams of adventure, but it’s the kind that takes place between the pages of a book, indoors, where it’s safe and warm. Unlike the rest of his family, he dreads venturing out where it’s cold, wet, and home to a creature he calls the Wilderness. His father assures him the wilderness isn’t a monster, but out there, Oktober can only see slimy tails and sharp teeth and so many places for the terrible Wilderness to hide. One day on a hike, Oktober gets separated from his family, and because he doesn’t believe he’s brave enough to be an adventurer, he’s certain his fate is sealed. But maybe getting lost is just what Oktober needs to find courage and a new perspective . . . and an unexpected friend. With wry humor and marvelously rich and clever illustrations that readers will be happy to get lost in, Steve McCarthy’s debut as author-illustrator will speak to even the most timid and bookish of adventurers. 

It took three attempts to finish this book. It is long and wordy for a picture book and in the end I skimmed most of it. At 40 pages it’s not the longest but there is a lot of words on each page. One of the reasons it was hard to get through was because it wasn’t that engaging. The premise is good, but with no humour, no rhyme or rhythm to the words, it is also a little boring. It didn’t even cross over into the sweet or charming side.

The story is of Oktober who is scared of the outdoors and wants to have adventures in his books, unlike his siblings who have them in real life. One day when he is out with his family he finds myself lost and has to confront the uncertainty of The Wilderness.

I know there was supposed to be some wonder, or a lesson about taking chances or something but none of that comes across in the story. It doesn’t feel epic or grand, it’s flat and as much as I tried to stay focused on Oktober and his journey I had no interest.

The illustrations are vibrant full colour pages that are intricate and detailed, that’s what kept me trying again and again to read it. It’s rough to almost DNF a picture book but it really didn’t capture me.

You can purchase The Wilderness via the following

QBD |  Dymocks | Booktopia

Wordery |  Blackwell’s | Angus & Robertson

Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

The Bakery Dragon and the Fairy Cake (#2) by Devin Elle Kurtz

17 Apr 2026 Leave a comment

by Amy in 3 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: , , , ,

Published: 7th October 2025Goodreads badge
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Illustrator: Devin Elle Kurtz
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★  – 3.5 Stars

Batter up!

Ember is in charge of the bakery while the baker takes a trip and he’s excited to show what he can do! When an opinionated fairy princess swoops in demanding a cake, he eagerly agrees. So what if he’s only baked bread before? How hard can it be?

The sugar hits the fan when Ember’s first attempt is a complete disaster. He tries again and again, but the royal customer is not happy. Everyone told Ember he was such a good baker, so why can’t he get this right? If he doesn’t figure it out soon, the only thing on the menu will be humble pie.

A sequel to the adorable Bakery Dragon this time we see our little baker be entrusted with the bakery when a special order comes in. I like the way the story explores that of course our little dragon would have no concept of what cake is and how expectations can be different if you don’t know what something is.

I liked the message that despite being a natural at something, the first hurdle you come across doesn’t mean you are bad at everything. The fairy’s kindness in showing the bakery dragon that not being good at something the first go doesn’t mean they have no skills or, more importantly, are incapable of learning.

It’s a great message about trying new things and knowing you can learn something different, even if it isn’t perfect it doesn’t matter.

Once again the illustrations are beautiful and I love Kurtz’s use of colour and full use of the pages. I loved the design on these creatures – the Turnip Fairy is adorable, as is the queen. The whole story feels magical and definitely like you have stepped into a fantasy realm. It works well as a picture book but a small part of me would love a longer story too, as long as they come with those illustrations that is.

You can purchase The Bakery Dragon and the Fairy Cake via the following

QBD |  Dymocks | Booktopia

Wordery |  Blackwell’s | Angus & Robertson

Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust | Audible

The Bakery Dragon by Devin Elle Kurtz

03 Apr 2026 Leave a comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, The Picture Book Corner Tags: , , ,

Published: 1st October 2024Goodreads badge
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Illustrator: Devin Elle Kurtz
Pages: 42
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★   ★  – 4 Stars

The heroic tale of a tiny dragon with a heart of gold and a taste for treats! A scrumptious picture book for fans of funny fairytales and fantastic beasts.
Ember has always been different from the other dragons. His fearsome roar sounds more like a polite sneeze, and when he breathes fire, the villagers just pat his head and say awwww.
Ember fears he’ll never collect a respectable hoard of gold until a chance encounter with a baker causes his fortunes to turn (and his stomach to grumble). As the little dragon soon discovers, the gold you make is way better than the gold you steal—and gold that is shared? That’s best of all.

The story is really sweet. It’s simple but heartfelt and I loved the message that there is a place for everyone. The story is of a town plague by gold stealing dragons and the little dragon who can’t steal gold but finds something just as precious.

The accompanying illustrations are gorgeous. I loved the layout and how the vast two page spread worked alongside the little snippets of scenes. The narrative is sparse and dialogue does a lot of storytelling but it is a story that doesn’t need a lot of words.

I liked the minimal dialogue and the space for the illustrations to do the storytelling. It brings a lot of quiet moments and contemplation as the story goes on without needing to over explain. In a way it could almost be a book without words but the dialogue brings heart to the story. I think it’s just the illustrations are so beautiful they could easily be prints or posters.

It’s a satisfying and sweet story and I loved the different take on gold, and how solutions benefit everyone.

You can purchase The Bakery Dragon via the following

QBD |  Booktopia

Wordery |  Blackwell’s | Angus & Robertson

Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust | Audible

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