10 Australian books to keep your kids off social media
With Australia’s first-of-its-kind social media kicking in for under-16s today, our literary editor has compiled a list of the best books to keep your kids entertained this summer.
With Australia’s first-of-its-kind social media kicking in for under-16s today, here is a list of the best books to keep your kids entertained this summer.
Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping by Craig Silvey, illustrated by Sara Acton
The sequel to Runt, this is the top selling children’s book for the year: six weeks after the adorable Annie Shearer and her mutt, Runt, competed at the Krumpets Dog Show, Runt mysteriously goes missing. Who is responsible for this dastardly dognap?
There’s a Prawn in Parliament House: The Kids’ Guide to Australia’s Amazing Democracy by Annabel Crabb
But how do we elect a government? How does the government make decisions? Why is there a prawn fossil stuck in the marble at parliament house? A funny and informative account of how Australia’s democracy works, written for kids, with cartoon illustrations.
Ninja Talent! by Anh Do, illustrated by Mario Gonzalez
The latest in the Ninja Kid series, which are among the bestselling Australian children’s books of all time: it’s the Tip-Top Talent Quest, and Nelson and Kenny think they’ve got it nailed. They can dance, do backflips, and they look so good. But then their magic Super Spray suddenly fails.
Droplets by Jeff Northam
Join the dots, run your pencil through the mazes, spot the differences in two pictures ... remember doing all that? This book is self-published by a cartoonist and designer at The Australian who creates puzzles for children and young people in his spare time, because he wants to see kids using their imaginations.
Mega Rich Guinea Pigs by Jol Temple and Kate Temple.
A new series for kids 8-plus: the world’s richest man, Magnus McAloon, has died in a rocket experiment gone wrong and the sole heirs to his estate are his four beloved pet guinea pigs: Hot Head, Lunk, G-Chip and Big Pig (who is actually a capybara). From the best selling authors of Frog Squad and Bin Chicken.
Cricket Champs (Howzat Pat, #4) by Pat Cummins, Dave Hartley and Serena Geddes
The fourth in the young readers series created by sometime Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins. In book 4, our young heroes are on track to be selected for the state cricket team and it’s a dream come true, but can they survive being on the same team as the school bully?
Super Besties! by Sally Rippin
Sally Rippin is the Australian Children’s Laureate, and Billie B Brown is one of her most beloved characters. In this collection, you get three of her favourite stories in full colour: The Bad Butterfly The Secret Message and The Grumpy Neighbour
Bluey: The Sign by Bluey
A hardback comic-style chapter book based on one of Bluey’s biggest-ever episode, The Sign! Bluey, Bingo, and their pals can’t believe it when a For Sale sign appears in the front yard and they are determined to do whatever they can to make sure the house doesn’t sell.
Laughter is the Best Ending by Maryam Master and Astrid Hicks
This book won the 2025 CBCA Book of the Year for Younger Readers. Zee is a loner. She likes to read Oscar Wilde and watch documentaries all day which, according to her parents, is not normal for 13 year olds. So they decide to send her on a five-day holiday camp. Will she make a friend?
South With the Seabirds by Jess McGeachin
The true story of four remarkable scientists, Hope Black, Mary Gillham, Susan Ingham and Isobel Bennett, who were the first female scientists to join an Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition, and to journey to the sub-Antarctic in 1959.
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