AustLit

'Angus doesn't like shopping. It's so boring and it gives him a headache. Mouse has never been to the shops before and wants to come along. But will Mouse listen to Angus when they go to town?' (Publication summary)

'Once trust is gone, what is there to hold onto? From award-winning author Jane Godwin, a thought-provoking novel about young teens navigating friendship and trust in a post-pandemic world of surveillance and control.

'running late
drop it off without me
I type drop what off? I don't know what Mish is talking about.
While I'm typing, another message appears. don't tell bella
But I am Bella.

'Best friends Bella and Connie live on the outskirts of the city in an area that was once full of open fields and paddocks but is changing as the suburbs creep closer. And now there is Mish, Connie's cousin, who has to be included even though she is unfriendly and unpredictable. The pandemic lockdowns have lifted and the three teens are eager to explore their newfound independence. But with the world opening up, there has been a rise in surveillance, from apps that track their movements to voice recorders and hidden cameras. It feels like everyone is watching them. But when does 'watching' become 'watching over'?

'Do we have a right to know everything about those we love? Look Me in the Eye is a gripping tale of young teens navigating freedom and trust-building, privacy and secrets, in an era of parental surveillance.' (Publication summary) 

'Angus and Mouse are best friends. But when Angus brings home a beautiful new book from the library, what happens as they try to share? When mistakes are made, can they be fixed? An enchanting story about friendship, forgiveness and the magic of reading.' (Publication summary)

'Angus and Mouse are best friends. But when Angus brings home a beautiful new book from the library, what happens as they try to share? When mistakes are made, can they be fixed? An enchanting story about friendship, forgiveness and the magic of reading.' (Publication summary)

'From the award-winning team that created classics such as Don’t Forget, All Through the Year, Tilly and Starting School, comes an exquisite, universal and captivating picture book that carries us through a child's life journey on the magical metaphor of song.

'When you are born, you make up a song
It doesn’t rhyme, and it isn’t long
A song of everything you hold dear
It’s your own tune, it’s loud and clear
'And your whole world is in it…

'A musical journey from the time a child's life song first begins, through all its modulations, adding new verses and extra voices through the years, until it becomes their own unique composition - and one that is ultimately a part of the beautiful, grand and glistening score of the world.' (Publication summary)

'‘Everybody is a genius.
But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree,
it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.’
-- Albert Einstein (or not, as it turns out!)

'So … can a fish climb a tree?
Can a horse drive a car?
Can a baby bake a cake?

'And if they can’t, what wonderful things can they do?

'From bestselling creators Jane Godwin and Terry Denton comes a quirky and inspiring book about celebrating who YOU are and the power and peace to be found in not trying to be anyone else.' (Publication summary)

'A warm and relatable junior fiction series about all the big and little things that matter when you're finding your place in the wide new world, from Jane Godwin, one of Australia's most respected writers for children, with delightful illustrations by Robin Cowcher.

'Isabelle and her best friends Harry B and Izzy are in Year Two and there are lots of adventures to be had: getting to know their new teacher, going to a school disco and sleepover, bridge-building in the forest, and even a baby to show the whole class!

'Isabelle loves being in Year Two, until . . . Harry has some news that shocks them all.

'How will Isabelle manage the rest of the year without Harry B by her side?

'A warm and relatable series about all the special little moments and big dramas of being seven. Jane Godwin, one of Australia's most respected writers for children, gently explores the trials and triumphs of friends, family and school life, with delightful illustrations by Robin Cowcher.' (Publication summary)

'This delightful story from a winning team perfectly celebrates the joy and chaos of a baby-filled day!

'It's a busy day for baby in this darling, cheeky, charming board book.

Today is baby's birthday. Happy baby!

Here come baby's friends. Hello!

Shy baby.

Friendly baby.

Sunny baby. 

Strong baby.

'Who else will we meet?'(Publication summary)

'Six-year-old Isabelle doesn't have any brothers or sisters. But she does have her dad, her cat Steve, her friend Harry B, and her baby cousin, Bibi, who she's very good at looking after. And then along comes Isobel, a new girl at school. They have the same name, but will they be friends?

(Publication summary)

• Written in delightful rhyme by one of Australia's most celebrated authors, with art by debut illustrator Meg Rennie - winner of the Little Hare Illustration Prize.
• The perfect book to read aloud to children learning the joy of imaginative play
• Debut illustrator Meg Rennie's bold colours and expressive characters perfectly compliment Jane Godwin's text
• Winner of the Little Hare Illustration Prize'  (Publication summary)

'Archie has found the best hiding place.

'But after a while, it feels too quiet.

'Is the game still on?

'Has Archie been forgotten?

'From bestselling author Jane Godwin and emerging illustrator Sylvia Morris comes a rich and atmospheric story that captures the highs and lows of hide-and-seek, and the joy of being found.'(Publication summary)

'A gripping and suspenseful rite-of-passage novel about five teenagers and one night that will change them all, from award-winning author Jane Godwin.

''It's just a walk in the dark. What is there to worry about?'

'That's what the head teacher, Johan, says. And so the Year Nines from Otway Community School set out on an overnight hike, with no adults.

'But doesn't Johan know that a storm is coming?

'When five teenagers head in to the forest that late afternoon, none of them is aware what the night will bring. Each will have to draw on their particular strengths to survive. Each will have to face the unknown, battling the elements, events beyond their control, and their own demons. It's a night that will change everything.

'Set in the rainforest of Victoria's Otway Ranges, A Walk in the Dark is about friendship, trust, identity and family, consent and boundaries, wrapped in a compulsively readable, suspense-filled adventure.

'Five head into the forest, but will all five make it out?'  (Publication summary)

'Polly's sixth birthday would be here any day

'(Well actually thirty-five sleeps away)

'She was counting down till the thirteenth of May

'There'd be a party! Yippee! Hooray!

'Polly was making a plan ...

'For dreamers and party planners everywhere comes a relatable picture book about throwing the perfect birthday party... even when things don't exactly go to plan.'  (Publication summary)

'Let's find some animals off we go!

'Would you like to meet them and say hello?

'Join dynamic duo Jane Godwin and Jane Reiseger on a fun and bright adventure to learn all the ways that animals say hello. Look out for the sneaky little mouse along the way!' (Publication summary)