Andrew McDonald

Extraordinary how much of Australia’s literary and cultural leadership more broadly are completely out of step with the writers and artists without whom they would not exist at all

The little Meanjin collection that I helped bring into the world as editor. Just a fragment of its 85-year catalogue. What an act of bone-stupid arrogance to kill it.

READING FOR PLEASURE has the biggest positive impact of any factor on children’s life chances. So whatever else you do, please never stop helping kids find books to read & love. Never stop sharing books, talking about books, celebrating books & reading. It will change their lives! #literacy

I hope the Lattouf decision gives other board members decision makers around the country serious pause in the future.
Political opinions are still legal in this country. Facts and criticism about horrific human rights violations should be supported, not punished.

There is still no baby formula allowed into Gaza. Israel is not only bombing and shooting a starving, exhausted civilian population, it’s banned baby formula. Babies under 6 months can only have breastmilk or formula. Their mothers are starving and have no milk. Milk. Must. Enter.

Can you spare a minute to help this campaign? Keep Bulldogs Community Children’s Centre Not-for-Profit

Maribyrnong council voted to commercialise a longstanding not-for-profit childcare centre. Please sign the petition to keep it community based and affordable.

Cartoon by Bill Watterson showing Calvin and Hobbes happily reading comics

I am often asked how to get boys into reading. I honestly don't think boys are different to anyone else. If you want them to love reading - JUST LET THEM READ THINGS THEY LOVE! Whatever those things might be, they are the things that make us all into readers. #literacy

(Art: Bill Watterson)

Debut picture book author wins $125,000 for autobiographical ‘visual feast’ Nukgal Wurra author and artist Wanda Gibson became the first person to win the Victorian premier’s literary award in both the children’s and overall categories for her book Three Dresses

Debut picture book author wins $125,000 for autobiographical ‘visual feast’

Nukgal Wurra author and artist Wanda Gibson became the first person to win the Victorian premier’s literary award in both the children’s and overall categories for her book Three Dresses www.theguardian.com/books/2025/m...

Is this a coup? Home of the Coup-o-meter Prevention is the best medicine: Get background on coups, how they happen in a democracy, and what we can do to stop one.

One of the most important websites in America right now.

‘It will be dire for readers’: the disappearing voices of Australia’s independent publishers Many local award-winning authors first found a home at a small publishing house, but as yet another is subsumed by one of the ‘big five’, there are fears for the writers of the future

“I don’t think this is something the Australian government is interested in fixing...But the implications are that we will lose Australian culture in the process.”

Thank you @sophtree.bsky.social & @beneltham.bsky.social for stating the bleeding obvious:

www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...

Damn, just saw that Jules Feiffer—who would have turned 96 today—died on Jan. 17. Loose, sketchy, style that captured flowing movement. Biting political cartoons. Wonderful children's books ('I'm Not Bobby!' & 'Bark George' are favorites). Legendary illustrations for 'The Phantom Tollbooth.' R.I.P.

The Ghosts in the Machine, by Liz Pelly Spotify’s plot against musicians

Far out 🤦🏻‍♂️

harpers.org/archive/2025...

Merry Christmas from Albanese and Tanya Plibersek, it’s officially Take Out The Trash season! 4 new coal approvals just in time for Christmas. What a gift for all the kiddies who might have been hoping for real climate action and a safe future.

Linus is so clearly the best!

Whimsy, kitty-noir and queer romance: Top picks for younger readers From picture books that won't drive adults wild re-reading them endlessly, to the best graphic novels and young adult books, writer Lefa Singleton Norton has your summer of reading with young people c...

Delighted to see REAL PIGEONS POWER UP mentioned here. Thank you @lefasn.bsky.social!

www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...

Hey @nytimes.com a list of the year’s fiction and nonfiction without any books for young people isn’t really all the year’s “notable books” now, is it?

A drawing called "Art Class" by Edward Steed. Four art students are depicting a skull on top of a wooden stool. The first three students, all wearing berets, are busy painting/focusing on the skull. The fourth student is a tree, also wearing a beret and a look of fierce concentration, and is painting the wooden stool.

For anyone wondering, this is my all-time favourite Edward Steed drawing...

Cartoon called "Ivan the Terrible with Names" that depicts Ivan the Terrible having sex with someone, and then Ivan the Terrible meeting someone (at a conference perhaps), and then Ivan the Terrible having to introduce the two of them to each other at a party (in the final panel he is rubbing the bridge of his nose in concentration / desperation)

One of my favourite old Scots words is tartle, which describes that moment of hesitation or panic while you're desperately trying to remember someone's name (when greeting or introducing them). I especially like it because it always makes me think of this brilliant Edward Steed drawing...

If you really wanna disrupt publishing, normalise including back covers in online book listings.

An image showing Andrew and Ben – and an illustration of pigeons in the shape of a Christmas tree, with the words 'Real Pigeons Holiday Specktacular. Sat 14th Dece. 1.30 to 2.30pm.

We're doing a big event soon at the Wheeler Centre – a Holiday sPECKtacular!

There'll be festive Real Pigeons nonsense. Feats of incredible storytelling from some special guests. And we'll be raising money for the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency.

www.wheelercentre.com/events-ticke...

I love that this piece on celeb children's books by Penni Russon doesn't just nail why they're problematic, but boosts some fab Australian children's writers.

'I’m a children’s writer – and celebrity children’s books undervalue my craft.’

theconversation.com/im-a-childre...

Looking after the kids.
My @smh cartoon.