AustLit

'Christmas in the Australian bush is Puggle’s favourite time of year. All the animals return to decorate the oldest tree, and to prepare for the big day. Every year, Puggle tries to help. But even though Puggle tries hardest, none of the special Christmas jobs seem to suit him.

'In despair, Puggle waddles off to his special place where he makes a Christmas wish on the first shooting star ... but is it actually a shooting star? And what is stuck in the billabong?

'Can Puggle save Christmas and make his Christmas wish come true?' (Publication summary)

'A wonderfully inclusive book to celebrate the anticipated birth of a child.

'Before you were born
and while you grew,
there was a party
just for you.

'Created by talented duo Katrina Germein and Helène Magisson, this heartwarming picture book captures the excitement and anticipation of the arrival of a baby. Filled with love, hope and happiness, Before You Were Born celebrates the universal joy of new babies in all kinds of families.'

Source : publisher's blurb

'Loutka is a brilliant puppet maker. All of his creations work perfectly, just as he expects them to.

'Except for Claudette. She is a rickety misfit who longs for freedom and adventure.

'What can be done with such a puppet?

'Loutka doesn't know.

'So Claudette stays on the shelf. Until one incredible day…

'With captivating illustrations and gentle words, Claudette takes the reader on a courageous and magical adventure beyond the clouds, discovering the power of beauty, possibility and self-worth along the way.' (Publication summary)

'Flit through the fascinating world of fairies and discover everything there is to know about these fabulous creatures.

'What do fairies really look like? Where can you find them? What do they eat? In the follow-up to Izzy Quinn's bestselling All About Mermaids, everything you ever wanted to know about fairies is revealed.

'Expertly illustrated by Heléné Maggison, All About Fairies will enchant fairy enthusiasts of any age, and all those who are drawn to a little dusting of magic.' (Publication summary)

'Lucy's mum is taller than her. Her grandad is even taller. So Lucy longs to take a peek at the very elderly Miss Eliza Flowerdew — at her age (99) — she might even be able to touch the ceiling.

'But is Lucy brave enough to find out the truth?

'This is a magical story that explores how we can make incorrect assumptions about people, particularly the elderly. Along with Lucy, children will discover the rich experiences that make up a long life, the importance of memories, and how the most unlikely friendships can be formed.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A lonely echidna searches for his voice. Every time Puggle tries to make sound nothing comes out. Can Puggle find his voice and join the bush choir?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A heartwarming celebration of Christmas, family and faith by two of Australia's finest picture book creators.

Sarah loves her two grandmas – Grandmother Azar and Grandmother Maria. Grandmother Azar tells Sarah stories from the Holy Koran, while Grandmother Maria tells her stories from the Bible. At Christmas time, Sarah snuggles in each of her grandmothers' laps and listens to two nativities stories about the birth of baby Jesus. They are the same in some ways, and different in others ... but both can be Sarah's favourite.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'When Lily finds a beautiful, big, shiny balloon she wants to keep it forever…

'But what if somebody else needs it more?

'Lilly’s Balloon is a gentle, hopeful story about disappointment, loss and learning to let go. Three young lives are connected through one balloon, which touches them in different ways.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

''We're so lucky,' said Gran. 'We've just enough for two.'

'Jess and Gran have always made the best of everything. When there’s not much for dinner, they cook oodles of noodles. When there’s no cake for birthdays, they toast marshmallows on the stove.

'When it snows in the mountains, Jess longs to go. But there’s no extra money for a holiday this year.

'So Jess finds a way to see the most amazing snow of all.

'Jacaranda Snow is about one family that lives with less money but plenty of love and optimism.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Slowly, slowly, you catch a monkey ...

'Bongani wants to go to school but he is too young. To prove to his family that he is big and strong just like his cousins, he tries to catch a monkey.

'Slowly, slowly, he must go.

'Luckily his family is there is to school him in the lessons of patience and compassion.

'Adapted from a South African story, this variation of ‘Softly, softly, catchee monkey’ was originally an Ashanti (Ghana) proverb quoted by Lord Robert Baden-Powell, Founder of the Boy Scouts.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Life is full of brightness for one polar bear cub. But then shadows fall ...and his world changes. The little cub must learn to hope again. The Whirlpool is a beautiful story about feeling sad and happy, lonely and loved, small and big. This gentle, emotive tale will help children navigate their way through the ups and downs of life. There is a whirlpool in all of us.' (Synopsis)

'On a dark day, Beauty sets off to meet the Beast at his castle. Can she put her fear aside and see through the Beast's fearsome exterior? Helene Magisson brings Beauty to life with her stunning illustrations. ' (Publication summary)

'An award winning poetic celebration and exploration of nature, people and imagination in Far North Queensland.

Encourages children and families everywhere to hunt for their own nature-based or urban poems.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.