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.)

'The mysterious Lady Adora has a plan for the Caddy kids, but it doesn't involve chocolate and games . . . Kick, Bert, Scruff and Pin are rejoicing - Dad's been found! But he's ill from his wartime experiences, and he's sent away to recover. Then a hint from the butler sets their hearts racing. Could their mother be still alive too? The four siblings begin a wild goose chase to search for clues. But it all goes terribly, horribly wrong when they're kidnapped. They're imprisoned in the Icicle Illuminarium - the most cold, lonely, and falling-down mansion in England. Luckily, there might be a secret friend or two to be found in this odd place. Can Bucket, their loyal dingo dog, help Uncle Basti to find them - before Lady Adora can set her plans in motion? Another feel-good tale about four fearless Aussie bush kids who won't take no for an answer - and certainly can't be cooped up for long, even if their captors think they can!' (Publication summary)