The Read-Aloud Home

Deep dive into the stories behind the picture books with award-winning Australian author/illustrator Zeno Sworder.
In this conversation with Zeno I do not talk about the experiences of neurodivergent children or their parents. I am currently researching and learning more about neurodivergence but the stories and advice in this podcast episode may not be relevant to families navigating neurodiversity.
This episode was recorded on Gadigal and Wurundjeri Lands.
Books, films and humans mentioned
Once I was a Giant (2025) by Zeno Sworder
This Small Blue Dot (2021) by Zeno Sworder
My Strange Shrinking Parents (2023) by Zeno Sworder
The Red Tree (2001) by Shaun Tan
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
The Maze Runner (2009) by James Rushner
Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth
Ready Player One (2011) by Ernest Cline
The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins
Terminator books
Waterworld (1995) (film)
The Day After Tomorrow (1994) by Allan Folsom
NBC News
Little People, BIG Dreams series
Michelangelo (sculptor and painter)
Dr Seuss (author/illustrator)
The Happy Prince (1888) by Oscar Wilde
Need a House Call Ms Mouse (2022) By George Mendoza, illustrated by Doris Susan Smith
Du Iz Taz (2016) by Carson Ellis
The Incredible Painting of Felix Clousseau (1988) by Jon Agee
I Can Explain (2022) by Shinsuke Yoshitake

What's in this episode?
In this week's episode, Australian author/illustrator Max Hamilton takes us through what a typical day of work looks like when she is creating a children's picture book. We also talk about her past career, how she tackles a new project, how she organises her picture books and the importance of community for children's book creators.
This episode was recorded on the land of the Gadigal and Dharawal People.
Books, humans (and other interesting things) mentioned:
My Possum Plays the Drums (2020) written by Catherine Meatheringham, illustrated by Max Hamilton
When the Waterhole Dries Up (2021) written by Kaye Baillie, illustrated by Max Hamilton
Tasmanian Devil (2022) written by Claire Saxby, illustrated by Max Hamilton
Where the Lyrebird Lives (2022) written by Vicki Conley, illustrated by Max Hamilton
The Beehive (2024) written by Megan Daley, illustrated by Max Hamilton
Our Home (2024) written by Catherine Meatheringham, illustrated by Max Hamilton
Cockatoo (2024) written by Kaye Baillie, illustrated by Max Hamilton
Dogs with Jobs (2025) written and illustrated by Max Hamilton
The Wilder Zoo Trilogy by Tina Strachan, illustrated by Max Hamilton
Australian Society of Authors [ASA]
Erica Wagner (artist and editor)
Shirley Hughes (author/illustrator)
Maurice Sendak (author/illustrator)
Bob Graham (author/illustrator)
Jeannie Baker (author/illustrator)
Anna Pignataro (author/illustrator)
Rachel Robson (children's book buyer for Gleebooks in Australia)
Gleebooks
@gleebooks_kids
The Society of Children's Book Writer's and Illustrators [SCBWI]
Margaret Hamilton (author and publisher)
Margaret Hamilton Books
Pinerolo - The Children's Book Cottage
Antonia Pesenti (illustrator)
Hilary Bell (author)
Alphabetical Sydney (2013) By Antonia Pesenti and Hilary Bell
Numerical Street (2015) By Antonia Pesenti and Hilary Bell
Summer Time (2019) By Antonia Pesenti and Hilary Bell
The Lion and the Bird by Marianne Dubuc
Gnomes by Wil Huygen and Rein Poortvliet
Richard Scarry's Best Story Book Ever
Phoebe Wahl (author/illustrator)
Little Golden books
Beatrix Potter (author/illustrator)
May Gibbs (author/illustrator)
The Brambly Hedge Series by Jill Barkley
Windy Hollow Books

More from Max:
@mhdesignillustration
maxhamiltonillustration.com.au

What's in this episode:
In this week's episode Phoebe Wahl talks about her unschooled and free-spirited childhood, her studies at Rhode Island School of Design, her picture book creation process and so much more.
Books and people mentioned:
Sonya's Chickens (2015) by Phoebe Wahl
Backyard Fairies (2018) by Phoebe Wahl
The Blue House (2020) by Phoebe Wahl
Little Witch Hazel (2021) by Phoebe Wahl
Phoebe's Diary (2023) by Phoebe Wahl
Rhode Island School of Design
Western Washington University
Eloise Rickman @mightymother
Paper Mice (2019) by Megan Wagner LLoyd and illustrated by Phoebe Wahl
Sophie Blackall (author/illustrator)
carlemuseum.org
Recommendations from Phoebe:
Our Animal Friends At Maple Hill Farm (1974) by Alice and Martin Provensen
An Owl and Three Pussy Cats (1994) by Alice and Martin Provensen
Shaker Lane (1987) by Alice Provensen
Janet and Allan Ahlberg (authors)
The Jolly Postman or Other People's Letters (1986) by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
Each Peach Pear Plum (1989) by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
The Baby's Catalogue (1982) by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
Peekaboo/Peepo (1981) by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
Abuela (1997) by Arthur Dorros, illustrated Elisa Kleven
Vera B Williams (author/illustrator)
Faith Ringgold (author/illustrator)
Aliki (author/illustrator)
Tove Jansson (author/illustrator)
Gracey Zhang (illustrator)
The Big Bath House (2021) by Kyo Maclear
One More Jar of Jam (2023) by Michelle Sumovich
Beatrice Alegmana (author/illustrator)
Chirri and Chirra (2016) by Kya Doi (translated from Japanese by Yuki Kaneko)
Possum's Harvest Moon (1998) by Anne Hunter
Alison Lester (author/illustrator)
Rosie Sips Spiders (1988) by Alison Lester
More from Phoebe
@phoebewahl
phoebewahl.com

In this week's episode Courtney Adamo talks to the Read-Aloud Home about her new book The Family Home, which explores how your home can help elevate family life and help you spend more quality time as a family including reading together.

What's in this episode?
Ideas and tips for making your home a place where reading can happen comfortably and with ease
Reading to children of different ages
Courtney introduces us to some beautiful new children's books and also shares some old favourites that we think all children must read

Books and humans mentioned
The Family Home: Inspiring Ideas for a Home Filled with Joy (2025) by Courtney and Michael Adamo
And the Train Goes (2007) by William Bee
A Sick Day for Amos McGee (2010) by Phillip Stead, illustrated by Erin Stead
Ira Sleeps Over (1972) by Bernard Waber
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible No Good Very Bad Day (1972) by Judith Viorst, illustrated by Ray Cruz
The Tiger who Came to Tea (1968) by Judith Kerr
The Bog Baby (2008) by Jeanne Willis and Gwen Millward
Make Way for Ducklings (1941) by Robert McCloskey
The Little House (1942) by Virginia Lee Burton
We're Going on a Bear Hunt (1989) by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
The National Geographic Series
Charlotte's Web (1952) by E.B White, illustrated by Garth Williams
Julian is a Mermaid (2018) by Jessica Love
Blueberries for Sal (1948) by Robert McCloskey
The Paper Dolls (2012) by Julia Donaldson
Who Sank the Boat (1982) by Pamela Allen
Simplicity Parenting (2009) by Kim John Payne
The Olivia Series by Ian Falconer
Ira Says Goodbye (1988) by Bernard Waber
Mem Fox (Author)
Julia Donaldson (Author)
Oliver Jeffers (Author/Illustrator)
The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
The Wings of Fire Series by Tui T Sutherland
Beware of the Frog (2008) by William Bee
More from Courtney
Instagram - @courtneyadamo

Substack -courtneyadamo.substack.com/

What's in this episode?
Lara talks us through her new book 'A Grown Up's Guide to Picture Books'
What are picture books and why they are important
How we can extend our picture book reading
Thinking differently about the role of picture books in society

Books and humans mentioned:
A Grown Up's Guide to Picture Books (2024) by Lara Cain Gray
Tucking Mummy In'(1987) by Morag Loh, illustrated by Donna Rawlins
The Lion, the Witch and the Wonder essays (2024) by Katherine Rundell
Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art (1993) by Scott McCloud
Piano Fingers by Caroline Magerl
Briony Stewart (author/illustrator)
Freya Blackwood (illustrator)
Maurice Sendack (author/illustrator)
Shirley Hughes (author/illustrator)
Lynley Dodd (author/illustrator)
Alfie Gets in First (1981) by Shirley Hughes
Julia Donaldson (author)
Axel Sheffler (illustrator)
Tabby McTat (2009) by Julia Donaldson and Axel Sheffler
N.E.A.T Reading
Tony Flowers (illustrator)
Antonia Pessenti (illustrator)
The Little Mermaid (1837) by Hans Christian Andersen
The Oi Frog and Friends series by Kes Gray and Jim Field
Every Night at Midnight (2023) by Peter Cheong
Accidentally Kelly Street (2022) by Briony Stewart, Lyrics by Tim O'Connor
The Biloela Family
Blue Whale Blues (2015) by Peter Carnavas

Picture book resources:
Your Kid's Next Read
storylinks.booklinks.org.au
National Centre for Australian Children's Literature
More from Lara:
@lara_cain_gray
www.laracaingray.com (Educator Toolkit for 'A Grown Up's Guide to Picture Books' available)