25 Gorgeous Australian Picture Books From 2025

Posted on by Cristin

Here we are at the end of another brilliant year for Australian picture books.

Compiling this list of 25 favourites, I was struck by the creativity of the text, the diversity of the visual art, and the range of storytelling styles happening across books for children. Yet, what I seem to see outside of my book bubble is people buying the same 15 or 20 “oldie-but-goodies.” Case in point, there was ONE picture book on the recent ABC Radio National Top 100 Books of the 21st Century survey. It was written over 20 years ago. Now, we love looking for that green sheep, but as someone who reads adult and children’s books, I just cannot believe that 99 other books are better than every other picture book written in the past 25 years! Where are the picture books?!

Well, here are some great ones. And, linked below this intro, you can find links to the previous seven years of these wrap ups for plenty more!

This list is, of course, subjective and incomplete and could have been twice as long. I don’t compile from the perspective of an educator or a bookseller or a speech pathologist. I like what I like: What I like are picture books that have a musicality to them, that have me lingering on the beauty of the illustrations, that make me stop and think how perfectly the collaboration between author and illustrator have come together to make something wholly unique, that tell kids (and adults) something in a way that only literary metaphor can do, that elicit a belly laugh or the need to sit quietly in reflection after the last page. I also listen to what my kids like. Sometimes I miss things on first read, but they get it. That spark. Kids, too, know it when they see it.

That is what a “gorgeous” picture book is to me.

Below you will find 25 books by Australian creators, published in Australia (well, 24 picture books and one book that does, indeed, have pictures and I snuck onto this list because it’s my blog and I really wanted to!). I hope you’ll gift these books, add them to your collection, and seek them out on library shelves.

Some books in this list were sent to us by publishers for review consideration. I have noted those instances, though it has not impacted the selection. If not noted, our copy was self-funded or borrowed. I don’t make any money off of this list. If you plan to purchase any of the books you’ve read about here, please do consider buying from an independent bookstore – they rock!

Can’t get enough gorgeous Aussie picture books? Here are all of the previous lists!

You can also find the Aussie Bookstagang’s Best of 2025 – including picture books, junior fiction and middle grades on Instagram. (Don’t forget the Kids’ Choice Awards!)

I also write about picture and middle grades books all year around on Instagram.

Once I Was a Giant

by Zeno Sworder

Zeno Sworder is one of my favourite creators – immensely original at both story and illustrations – and his latest Once I Was a Giant it is the grandest order of visual, metaphorical, magical picture book perfection. It’s about a pencil, and it is about the majestic tree that it once was. It’s about the enormous life the tree lived and gave – and how quickly that was raised to the ground. It’s about the things we use, the memory they carry, and the debt we owe them. It’s about hope, and connection, and awe. All of this, sprinkled with a bit of magic and a touch of humour. (Thames & Hudson)

The Frog’s First Song

by Jazz Money, illustrated by Jason Phu

The Frog’s First Song opens with a single frog alone in a dark well. When it finds its voice, soon other frogs echo back their own song., and they eventually make their way out of the well together. In the moonlight, the frogs and the moon sing together. It’s a perfectly crafted metaphor about raising your voice, the importance of connection and community, and the unique power of singing together. (We received a copy of The Frog’s Frist Song from UQP for potential review)

Tomato Sandwich

by Caroline Magerl

A wordless picture book by so-talented artist and storyteller Caroline Magerl, Tomato Sandwich is about day of childhood dreams meeting adult reality (and vice versa). A little girl prepares for a magical day, while her father has chores in mind. The two (and one cheeky dog) embark on quite the adventure- one with sweetness and humour. The girl is conjuring magic with a wand, but the real magic lies in attention paid and time together. (We received our copy of Tomato Sandwich for potential review from Walker Books)

Fly, Mama, Fly

by Anna McGregor

The sweetest board book about mama and baby Grey-headed flying foxes and their night together. The text is simple and sweet, and the illustrations are so inviting. I love the vertical orientation – it’s something a bit different and memorable, perfect for these flying darlings. At the end, there is a fact page about the flying foxes, a great way for little ones to engage with this book as they grow. If I were giving a new baby book this year, it would be this one. (We received our copy of Fly, Mama, Fly from Scribble)

Hello Cocky

by Hilary Bell, illustrated by Antonia Pesenti

My favourite Australian bird gets its due recognition in Hello Cocky: A Stickybeak at the Cockatoo. Hilary Bell’s verse is so read-out-loudable (and that is a lot rarer than you might imagine), often so funny in its turn of phrase and imagery, and fabulously informative. Antonia Pesenti’s illustrations are perfection – the cockatoo white and yellow are striking set on solid colour backgrounds. The dynamism and variety in the birds on each page is a joy. We love this striking look at our loud, cheeky, gorgeous cockatoos. (Scribble)

Cloudmaker

by Helen Milroy

Cloudmaker tells the story of an ancient being who created clouds for all of the worlds in creation. As her long life’s work is nearing its end, she and her favourite cloud find joy as Earth comes into being, and they revel in its colours and beings, especially the Australian birds. Cloudmaker’s journey is one of growing older, losing the feeling of usefulness, seeking connection, and leaving a legacy. The characters and clouds glow on the page, and the lines and patterns are stunning. The addition of colour is carefully considered. The text, too, takes us deep into the story. This is a book that we sat with for some time, the paragraphs longer than many picture books, but absolutely engaging. (Magabala)

One Day

by Shirley Marr, illustrated by Michael Speechley

The “one day” of the title is about the life of mayfly – an entire existence in one day. The mayfly has no time for overthinking things or doing anything other than living fully, celebrating its day, doing things on its own terms, and connecting with someone special. The metaphor of the mayfly’s perspective on life in comparison to a human life is told sensitively through perfectly measured illustrations. The result is a quietly touching and thought provoking consideration of the value of each stage of life and how to make the most of our “day.” (We received our copy of One Day for potential review from Walker Studio)

Between

by Anna Walker

Between is a book that reminded me how much you can say with a very few words. It is based on an imagined meeting between a cabbage moth and a cricket. In beautiful two-colour images and no more than a handful of words on each page, we move through their dance of a carefully forged connection, emotional complexity of differences, and the depth of a relationship. The illustrations are made with hand-cut stencils and a fascinating spray paint technique. The peach and blue are lush partners – day meets night, happiness meets sadness, and all that exists between the two. I think every reader who sits quietly with this book is going to connect it to a relationship in their own lives – whether is is family, romantic, personal. (We received our copy of Between for potential review from Scribble)

Searching for Treasure

by Johanna Bell, illustrated by Emma Long

This luscious book is all about “searching for treasure on the high tide line.” Each page features coastal treasures to be found – from shells to seaweed to sea life and more. The illustrations and information are impressively presented, and I am in love with the design of die cut and flip-up pages. This book came out at the beginning of 2025 and I still think it’s one of the most visually striking of the year. (We received our copy of Searching for Treasure for potential review from Allen & Unwin)

The Bookshop on Lemon Tree Lane

by Mike Lucas, illustrated by Sofya Karmazina

A little boy and his grandfather love visiting an old bookshop together. But, when it undergoes a big renovation, he’s worried that he’s lost his special place. The rhyming verse is jaunty and charming to read out loud. The illustrations capture all the charm of a bookshop – far beyond books on shelves, it’s all of the little details in both the old and new shop that embody the character of a shop that is so much more than a supermarket of books. If you love a bookshop – or are facing a something changing in your family’s life – this is a bright, sweet, optimistic story about change … and books! (Little Hare/Hardie Grant)

My Name is Jemima

by Olivia Muscat, illustrated by Allison Colpoys

Jemima is a qualified guide dog, based on Olivia Muscat’s own beloved Jemima. She loves all the regular dog things, but most of all, she loves her job, which is keeping her handler safe. Jemima explains how she’s at work when her harness is on. She helps her handler move through the world, including work, errands, travel and fun adventures. She also explains the things that make it tricky to do her job, like getting distracted by pats, food, and people talking to her. Jemima is so charming- both from the friendly tone of the narrative text and Colpoys’ bright and delightful illustrations. You *will* fall in love with her! Moreover, when you and your kids next spot a guide dog at work, you’ll know what and what not to do to help her keep doing her important job. (We received our copy of My Name is Jemima for potential review from Scribble)

If We Were Dogs

by Sophie Blackall

Speaking of very good dogs, If We Were Dogs is a reminder of why Sophie Blackall is the international kid-lit superstar that she is. In this story, two kids are playing, and one decides that they will be dogs. Very important – what kind of dogs will they be? One child knows they’d be a big dog – and what a jolly, boisterous good dog they’d be! But, a big dog may forget that, sweet as they are, they may need to find out what a quiet little dog wants. Or if they want to be a dog at all! There is so much heart and expression in the illustrations and gentle way the story unfolds. It’s total doggy friendship joy. (We received our copy of If We Were Dogs for potential review from Hachette)

When the Mountain Wakes

by Matt Shanks

In stunning illustrations – laid out in a comic book format – we follow a mountain. It goes through some pretty spectacular things in its early life (the first few million years or so). Then, things on Earth go quiet and the mountain rests. When it awakes, the mountain is lonely. It searches for connection, but finds none … until the tiniest glimmer, a sprout, which ever so slowly grows into something new and wonderful. This would be a thoughtful gift for someone going through a tough time. When things get hard and we feel unmoored, hope can feel elusive. This book is a reminder that there are good things ahead – maybe things will be new and take time, but change can be rejuvenating. (We received our copy of When the Mountain Wakes for potential review from Affirm Press)

The Peach King

by Inga Simpson, illustrated by Tannya Harricks

We often think about the human and property toll of bushfires, but perhaps less frequently about plants. The Peach King is a fable about old and young peach trees in an orchard. The old tree – The Peach King – is a stalwart who looks out for the orchard. Little Peach Tree, meanwhile, is young and inexperienced, growing over time. When fire ravages the orchard, Little Peach Tree finds it in himself to rally the trees when the Peach King is no longer able. The illustrations capture the moods of the seasons and the intensity of the fire. I love the way that the trees and animals communicate with each other, in the way of nature. This is a rich tale about natural cycles, ageing, earning respect, and a reminder that natural disasters impact more than people and the things we’ve built. We are part of a world with its own systems, intelligence, and resilience. (We received our copy of The Peach King for potential review from Hachette)

Sundays Under the Lemon Tree

by Julia Bussuttil Nishmura, illustrated by Myo Yim

Family and food made with care are central to this story of a little girl who desperately wants to help in the collection of the seawater for her family’s homemade ricotta. She’s always been too little for the job, but when she’s finally chosen, she realises that it’s a big adventure. I love how it’s the simple things like a walk across town, the collection of a pail of water, the watching of a cake in the oven that are weighted with so much meaning and joy. Myo Yim is so brilliant at giving such life to childhood wonder, and the delicious domestic scenes and focus on yellow make this Sunday shine. The addition of the lemon ricotta cake recipe at the end is such a treat – we had to make it! This is the brightest, yellowest, most scrumptious book. (We received our copy of Sundays Under the Lemon Tree for potential review from Scribble)

Dear Broccoli

by Jo Dabrowski, illustrated by Cate James

A series of hilarious not-so-love letters from a kid called Frank to his dinnertime broccoli. Broccoli is a most charming and unflappable pen pal, returning all of Frank’s letters with kindness and vegetable knowledge. My 8 year old broccoli-avoider and I got such a laugh at the letters and the hilarious illustrations. Broccoli has quite the array of jaunty styles! And, Frank just cannot escape broccoli around his house, which appears in so many fun little details. Hilarious. (We received our copy of Dear Broccoli for potential review from Affirm Press.)

Hedgehog or Echidna

by Ashleigh Barton, illustrated by Amandine Thomas

This is a book all about animals who are similar, but different. Told in charming rhyme, we meet an echidna and a hedgehog, an alligator and a crocodile, an alpaca and a llama, among others (including a couple I’d never heard of before!). This is such a fun and well executed concept. It would be a great read aloud for pre-school/Kindergarten. (We received our copy of Hedgehog or Echidna for potential review from Hachette)

Big Aussie Animal Bush Bash

by Brentos

We are big fans of artist Brentos’ perfectly pastel, wavy, Aussie-as style, and Big Aussie Animal Bush Bash has everything we love down to tiny details, along with interactive engagement and music puns galore. Set at a music festival, each page is a search-and-find for the funniest Australian themed elements. And, the musical acts are all animal-themed plays on words based on real Australian musicians. The details are what the thing in this fantastic fete, and there are SO many of them! This genuinely is a book that you could spend hours poring over, perfect for summer boredom busting or back seat of a road trip. (We received our copy of Big Aussie Animal Bush Bash for potential review from Affirm)

How Big is the Sky?

by Kimberly Brown

A family sailing adventure sets the scene for this exploration of things that can be measured, like length, distance and time and those things that can’t be measured, like feelings and emotions. The sailing instruments, tools and scenes are illustrated in luscious, earthy tones – such a pleasure to look at. You don’t often see a book that so seamlessly includes both concrete and emotional learning. And, in such a pretty package. (We received our copy of How Big is the Sky? for potential review from Affirm Press)

The Emperor’s Egg

by Rae Tan

An aging emperor with no children decides that he must find a child to take over his throne. He sets a test where children are given eggs to care for and asked to return in 30 days. Before long, children begin showing off the magnificent creatures that have appeared from their eggs. One young boy carefully dotes on and cares for his egg, but it doesn’t hatch. What happens when he returns to see the emperor is an unexpected twist that shows the power of integrity and honour. The illustrations are imaginative and striking and I like the sensitive way that the story unfolds, especially the loving care that a family of boys and their father nurtures the egg with. (Hachette)

My Mum is a Bird

by Angie Cui, illustrated by Evie Barrow

A curious, thoughtful book about having a family that is different. Everyone at school has mums, but for one little girl, her mum is different – her mum is a bird. When the parents come to class one day, she is embarrassed and wants to distance herself from her mum. That is, until a bird mum turns out to be exactly what is needed. Anyone who has every felt that their family is different and that they just want to blend in will understand the metaphor in this story. (We received our copy of My Mum is a Bird for potential review from UQP)

Baby and Me

by Angela Casabene, illustrated by Hilary Jean Tapper

The new baby days are behind me, and this book took me back to some of the most precious moments of early parenthood. As the world clatters along outside, babies and their families are enjoying a slow, quiet cocoon together. Many types of family situations are represented. The text is is sweet without being sappy. The gentle illustrations have a slightly draft feeling to them, with lovely sketchy pencil lines, enhancing the mood of slowing down. I even love the thick, creamy cardstock pages – so easy on the eyes and senses. This would be a perfect gift for a family with a new baby or one on the way. (We received our copy of Baby and Me for potential review from Affirm Press)

The Thing About Christmas

by Jo Dabrowski, illustrated by Briony Stewart

I don’t think I’ve ever put a holiday book on one of these lists before, but this one really spoke to my heart. We get images of Christmas from movies, books, and even the people around us of big decorated do’s with lots of family, gifts and food. But, what if that isn’t your family’s Christmas reality? What if there aren’t as many presents, your family is small, you’re missing a loved one, you have to split your holiday between two parents, or you just don’t celebrate at all. It can feel disappointing – like you’re not doing Christmas “right.” The message of this book is that there is no right or wrong way to do Christmas. All that is needed to celebrate is love. (Little Book Press)

All About Antarctica

by Marc Martin

Sure, there are many, many information books on the market, but few are as artistic and absolutely chockablock as Marc Martin’s. This book has information about Antarctica on just about every available centimeter, and it is so fun to peruse. From a visual packing list to difference icebergs and glaciers, animals, research stations, explorers and more. If you have a kid who wants to know all the things, this one will not disappoint. (We received our copy of All About Antarctica for potential review from Penguin)

Into the Bewilderness

by Gus Gordon

Will you find this graphic novel in the picture book section? OK – no. Is this a book with (many) pictures that is just so marvellous and aligned with everything we artsplorers hold dear that I decided I wasn’t going to let a little thing like categories stop me from putting it on this list? Yes, that is correct, friends. This hard-bound, full color graphic novel follows ever-optimistic bear Luis and his cynical friend and roommate Pablo, a mole. They live a good life in the woods – picking gooseberries, hunting mice, hanging out with a bumbling Bigfoot, with Luis playing songs on the guitar and Pablo despairing of them. But, like many of us, Luis wonders if there might be more to life. So, when the opportunity comes to go to the big city, he and a reluctant Pablo set out to see for themselves. This story is as big-hearted as they come, told with absolutely wry, hilarious dialogue and the most darling characters. The illustrations are a masterpiece. And, naturally, I could not possibly love more the message about the role of art and culture in our lives. (Hardie Grant)

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