AustLit

'The Caddy kids are home alone and they're having the best time ever. Until a stranger arrives with news . . .

'This is the story of how four loud, grubby urchins from the Australian outback find themselves in London for the first peacetime Christmas after years of war.

'But their new guardian hates children. He prefers the company of the hundreds of snakes in his house – the Kensington Reptilarium.

'Fate lends Kick, Scruff, Bert and Pin a helping hand when outraged citizens call for the Reptilarium to be shut down. With the police about to descend, can the Caddy kids warm Uncle Basti's heart – and have their Christmas wishes granted – before it's too late?' (From the publisher's website.)

'Armed with the knowledge that their mum might still be alive, Kick, Bert, Scruff and Pin have vowed to find her. They'll comb the whole world if they have to! But it seems that Mum's last-known location was closer to home. So with a bewildered Uncle Basti in tow, and their mysterious friend Bone determined to tag along no matter what, the Caddy kids set off for Sydney. Secret tunnels and outback misadventures await!' (Publication summary)