AustLit

'A journey of wonder and discovery from multi-award-winning picture book creators Claire Saxby and Jess Racklyeft, exploring the life in and around a mighty mountain ash, including a stunning fold-out page showing the full length of the tree.

'Can you see the forest on this misty-morning mountain? Can you see where the tree stands? It is the tallest in this forest of tall trees. This tree is older than those who find it, younger than the land it grows from. Between sapwood and heartwood, water rises and energy flows. Listen to the leaves bustle. Smell the forest air. This is the world of the tree.

'In the vein of Iceberg - marrying deep scientific research, lyrical language and stunning illustrations - multi-award-winning and highly acclaimed creators Claire Saxby and Jess Racklyeft return with a change in environment, from ocean to land. Their new collaboration follows a mighty tree, from the bottom of its roots up to the tips of its upper branches.' (Publication summary)

'You will find me where land meets sea…

'Saltmarshes are full of energy and life. They protect our coastlines, and provide food and shelter for migratory birds and microscopic plants and animals. Most of all, saltmarshes are places of discovery and wonder.

'With lyrical text and captivating illustrations Secrets of the Saltmarsh offers a close-up look at the fascinating world of saltmarsh wetlands.' (Publication summary)

'An engaging addition to the Nature Storybooks series, Tasmanian Devil showcases different elements of the habitat, behaviours, and day to day life of one of Australia's most famous marsupials.

'In Tasmanian Devil award-winning author Claire Saxby and talented artist Max Hamilton tell the story of two imps, or young devils. As the book progresses the brother and sister grow and venture further from the den, exploring more and more of their world in this stunning Nature Storybook.'  (Publication summary)

'A stunning picture book about separation, connection and reunion from the team behind the glorious Iceberg, renowned picture book creators Claire Saxby and Jess Racklyeft.

'This is the wind
that carries the whisper
from Ren's dream.

'This is the sailor,
long at sea,
who catches it.

'The multi-award-winning duo behind Iceberg returns! With its lyrical, cumulative text and whimsical, richly imagined artwork, Whisper on the Wind is a celebration of the wonders of the ocean and the power of love to find us - wherever we are.'(Publication summary)

'Charlie finds a bag of pirates, half-hidden in the green. They smell a bit, fight a lot, and are very less-than-clean!

'Things quickly get out of hand when the pirates take over Charlies house! Can Charlie find a way to stop pirates being pirates?' (Publication summary)

'An iceberg is born into spring and travels through the seasons before dying in a new spring. A stunning, lyrical story for our times, from renowned picture book creators Claire Saxby and Jess Racklyeft.

'In the final freeze of an Antarctic winter, green tails wave across a star-full sky, as if to farewell endless nights. If this world looks empty, look closer ... Penguins trek across the ice to their winter homes. As the temperature warms, birds fly above on their long migrations. And with the advent of summer, beneath an iceberg, the sea is teeming with life.

'Ocean, sky, snow and ice - minute greens and giant blues - dance a delicate dance in this evocative portrayal of the life cycle of an iceberg.' (Publication summary)

'The latest instalment in the Nature Storybooks series, about the largest ocean predator – the great white shark. Follow a female great white shark as she travels the ocean, looking for new hunting grounds and giving birth to her litter of pups. Stunning illustrations, lyrical prose and intriguing facts celebrate this majestic and unfairly maligned creature.' (Publication summary)

'Aussie STEM Stars is an inspiring children’s series that celebrates Australia’s experts in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

'The second book is about Georgia Ward-Fear, a reptile biologist and explorer well-known for her pioneering work with cane toads.

'“I strongly believe that increasing the capacity of female scientists to engage at the environmental leadership table could alter our planet’s future. I also want girls to grow up in a world knowing they can work with reptiles, get their clothes dirty, drive ATVs, be passionate and assertive AND be just as likely to direct federal environmental policy as men.”  ~ Georgia Ward-Fear'

(Source: publisher's blurb)

'An exciting new addition to the narrative nonfiction series Nature Storybooks, about kookaburras.

'In the crinkled shadows night-dwellers yawn, day-creatures stretch and Kookaburra laughs. Kook-kook-kook. Kak-kak-kak.

'The team behind Dingo is back again with a new addition to the Nature Storybooks series. The kookaburra, perhaps Australia's best-loved bird, is shown in all her glory in a stunning and vivid landscape. Follow along as Kookaburra finds food for her young and goes searching for a nest with her mate.

'Full of fun and interesting facts about kookaburras - perfect for nature lovers and budding wildlife scientists.' (Publication summary)

'Life in Germany in 1939 is not safe for 13 year old Max Gruber so he is sent to his Uncle Ferdy in London, only to find himself sent to Australia aboard the famous ship Dunera. Arriving in rural Hay, and housed in an internment camp, he meets local boy Tom. The two new friends become allies, as their lives are affected by the growing conflict in far away Europe.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'During World War I, Australian and New Zealand soldiers on the front were sent Christmas care packages in a tin billy. The Anzac Billy is the heartwarming story of a little boy packing a billy with all his father’s favourite things – added to by mum and grandma – even though he realises there is no way that the billy can actually go to a particular soldier.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'The night is young and there is hunting to be done. An exciting new addition to the narrative non-fiction series Nature Storybooks, about dingoes.

'Can you see her? There – deep in the stretching shadows – a dingo. Her pointed ears twitch. Her tawny eyes flash in the low-slung sun. Dingo listens. Dusk is a busy time. Dusk is the time for hunting. This lyrical non-fiction picture book is written by award-winning author Claire Saxby and stunningly illustrated by fine artist Tannya Harricks.'  (Publication summary)

'Award-winning picture book creators Claire Saxby and Wayne Harris team up to bring us a gentle story of nature, history, recycling and art.

'A bird drops a seed to the floor of the forest. The seed grows into a sapling, then a tree. The tree is felled and taken to a busy city. Bird to Bird is the story of one bird, one seed, one tree. Award-winning picture book creators Claire Saxby and Wayne Harris have crafted a gentle story of nature, history, recycling and art.' (Publication summary)

'It is time for Little Koala to leave the protection of his mother. But many challenges and dangers lie ahead for him as he searches for his own home eucalypt and learns to be independent. During his search he encounters other territorial koalas, wanders through a bushfire-ravaged landscape and endures a night of storms.' (Synopsis)

'O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,

Let’s decorate your branches...

'The tree is decorated, the presents are wrapped, and the neighbourhood Christmas lights blaze against a warm December sky.

'It’s Christmas time at home — the very best time of the year.

'An Australian Christmas tale.' (Publication summary)

'Come celebrate the adventurer lurking in every grandad, pop and pa

'My Pa is not a quiet Pa,

a sit-and-read-the-news Pa.

My Pa is a Wild Pa –

and Wild Pas are lots of fun.' (Publication summary)

'On the first day of Christmas,

we went down to the sea,

My Grandma, my family and me.

'The sun is shining, the waves are calling and everyone is ready for some fun in the sun.

It’s Christmas time at Grandma’s Beach House – the very best time of the year.

It’s the Twelve Days of Christmas, Aussie style.' (Publication summary)

'A new addition to the series about the extraordinary men and women who have shaped Australia's history, including World War II hero Sir Edward Dunlop. Sir Edward "Weary" Dunlop was an Australian Army surgeon during World War II. Weary was among the Allies taken as prisoners of war in Java and moved to Thailand, to work on the grim ThaiBurma railway. This is the story of how Wearys bravery, tenacity, and compassion helped save the lives and bolster the spirits of Australian POWs.' (Publication summary)

'Based on the true story of a quilt made by convict women on board the Rajah, bound for Australia.

'Lizzie Flynn has nothing but her name when she boards the Rajah, which is bound for the penal colony of Australia. On board the Rajah the convict women were given a "useful bag" containing among other things fabric and needle and thread. The women were taught to sew and together they made the Rajah quilt which is currently housed in the National Library.' (Publication summary)