AustLit

'Rex loves counting and hugging every one of his twenty-one trees. So, he is absolutely heartbroken when one of his trees goes missing? Where could it be? Who could have taken it? Rex isn’t the only one who wants to know. A little bird who lost her home comes to him for help. Together, and with a group of feathered friends, they hatch a plan to scare away the tree cutters once and for all. Tree Rex and his friends will inspire readers to care for the trees around them and protect them with all their might, in this hopeful story of environmental activism.' (Publication summary)

'Kids who want to know more about the body will devour this deep dive into the brain, written by a paediatric neurologist and designed to be read cover to cover.

'Ever wondered how the boss of your body works? How does your brain tell the other parts of the body what to do?  Where is all the information you take in from the world stored?  

'Curious kids will find the answers to these questions and more in All About the Brain by expert paediatric neurologist Dr Gabriel Dabscheck.  This is the second book in Berbay’s nonfiction series, authored by paediatric specialists and designed to be read cover to cover. It’s is a one-stop introduction to the brain for kids who want a better understanding of the way our amazing bodies work.' (Publication summary)

'A Sick Day for Amos McGee meets Escape from City Zoo in this funny and heartfelt picture book debut by Australian teacher librarian Liz Murray and award-winning Swiss illustrator Walid Serageldine.

'Gus is the star of the reptile house. He enjoys putting on a show for visitors, and no one adores seeing Gus more than Edward. They don’t just share a bond; they share a birthday. So, Edward decides to become a zookeeper, looking after all of the reptiles, but especially Gus. Over the years, they spend every birthday together, but one day Edward doesn’t show up for their shared celebration. Naturally, Gus decides to leave the zoo and find him. Don’t worry, readers. Edward is okay, and Gus is determined to make sure he stays that way. Birthday buddies and true friends stick together.' (Publication summary)

'The Big Visions series is published in partnership with Vision Australia and depicts everyday Australian heroes living with blindness or low vision.

'Each book features braille alongside the conventional text and is designed to inspire conversations about inclusivity, representation and resilience.

(https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/books/Matt-Formston-Surfing-in-the-Dark/John-Dickson/9780645558401

'The third book in the Big Visions series that portrays significant Australians living with blindness or low vision features a blind fashion designer whose work is shown at Melbourne Fashion Week.

'Meet Nikki Hind, the blind fashion designer with her own fashion label. When she was growing up, Nikki couldn’t see out of her left eye.That didn’t stop her from dressing-up and making her own clothes though. When she put on different outfits, she could be anyone. After a stroke during her pregnancy took away Nikki’s vision in her right eye, she decided to pursue a career doing what she had always loved: designing. Nikki started her own fashion label, Blind Grit and now, Nikki’s label is shown at Melbourne Fashion Week and employs people with disabilities and challenges.' (Publication summary)

'Matt Formston always dreamed of becoming a professional surfer. But by the time he was five years old, he was almost completely blind. Matt never let that stop him.
Now he is a record-holding cycling Paralympian and a world champion surfer.

'Discover how being vision impaired has made Matt who he is today.' (Publication summary)

'James lives in the most amazing treehouse, but he’s too shy to let anyone see it. Can Bunnygirl help him find a way to connect with people?

'Of course she can! Leave it to Bunnygirl to know just how to reach James AND introduce him to her friends, in a way that feels comfortable to him. Plus, James has some surprises of his own in this story of friendship and empathy.' (Publication summary)

'If a butterfly is just a moth in a fancy cardigan, then perhaps we should always expect more than what we see.

'This is the story of Gary Grey Moth who desperately wants to be seen and Florence Butterfly who has had enough of being noticed. What would happen if they swapped cardigans and could be the bug they each always wanted to be?

'A humorous, insightful story of identity and coming-of-age, told from the unlikely but utterly relatable perspectives of a moth and a butterfly.' (Publication summary)

'George and his sister Lotta have found a new slug friend named Speedy. They can't wait to introduce him to the family, but Speedy has other plans. He escapes! The whole family helps to bring their lost critter home. But is George and Lotta's jar really his home, or does Speedy belong outside with his fellow slugs?' (Publication summary)

'Bear has lots of friends if you count her toys, but she’s not sure how to make real friends. And she especially wants to be friends with Koala and Lamb. They both have fluffy ears and like green things. What’s a timid bear to do?

'This is a story about making friends while keeping the qualities (and quirks!) that make you unique. '

'Uncle Ernie is a daring adventurer and an enchanting storyteller. He travels to far-off places, where he encounters wondrous and sometimes very rare creatures.

'Are these places real? Are the creatures he meets real? It's up to you and his nephew Eli to decide.

'All Uncle Ernie can say for sure is that when you travel, sometimes you reason and sometimes you run. But you always end up with a story to tell.'

(Source: publisher's blurb)

'Is imitation the sincerest form of flattery? Or is it just annoying? This hilarious read-aloud helps children deal with the sensitive topics of conformity, individuality and belonging in an accessible way, This is a must-have for every child you know.'

(Source: publisher's blurb)

'Emerging readers and future graphic novel fans will love this picture book, told in comic book panels, about Bea an inspiring super hero whose real power is her kindness. This feel-good story will show readers what it takes to be a hero: a willingness to help and a super costume, of course.'

(Source: publisher's blurb)