AustLit

'When all of the whales in the ocean leave their home to walk around on land, people don’t quite know what to think. But soon shopkeepers go out of business, farms are flooded with water and salt, and people shout horrible, antiwhale words. That is, until, a smart little girl decides to ask the whales what everyone can do to help.

'A powerful and entertaining story about the environment from best-selling author, Nick Bland.' (Publication summary)

'I know your world is feeling grey but it won’t always be this way. And everyone alive can say they’ve felt the way you do today.

'We all have bad days, and bad days do pass.

'From creative superstars Davina Bell and Allison Colpoys comes a message of hope that we can depend upon and live by: bad days pass, and no matter what happens, we are deserving of love. An uplifting and healing book that every family needs in an era of overwhelming change.' (Publication summary)

'A warm, child-centred exploration of family, history and connectedness.

'Six-year-old Asiya loves to go to Nanu's house. Best among all of Nanu's treasures is the big old chest filled with quilts that tell the stories of the women in Asyia's family.

'A beautifully woven tale about the bonds of love, culture and memory.' (Publication summary)

'A timely and uplifting picture book for 5+, reflecting on what’s important for each of us to remember, from the creative team that brought us All Through the Year and Today We Have No Plans.

'Don’t forget to make your bed,and wear socks that fit your feet…Don’t forget to care, to play, To run, to laugh…

'Sometimes, we need to remember all the things we can do to be part of the world. Small things, like offering a smile. And bigger things, like hoping, dreaming, imagining…' (Publication summary)

'Every morning, Little Ned puts on his pants, his shirt, his shoes and, while he's at it, his heavy-duty chest armour, his spikey metal gauntlets, his razor-sharp sword and his iron helmet. What could possibly go wrong?

'Hilarious and heartwarming, surprising and brilliantly drawn, Little Ned is a story about the pitfalls of being too careful.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Arthur is a dog with a secret. More than anything in the world he loves to play his violin, but he’s too scared to do it in public because, well, what if he’s bad? What if people laugh? What if he makes a fool of himself?! WHAT IF?

'But the song in his head and the dream in his heart just won’t stay quiet. So, when he’s invited to take part in a jam session, he creates the ultimate disguise – a post box costume! And when it falls apart, Arthur doesn’t.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Jules and George are the same in every way.

'It is quite impossible to tell them apart.

'Like all twins, Jules and George do everything together. But after a long, hot day at the beach, even twins sometimes disagree ...' (Publication summary)

'Extraordinary imagery and rich language spark the reader's imagination as they enter the creative world of a young girl.

'From award-winning author Meg McKinlay and celebrated artist Matt Ottley comes a moving and visually stunning picture book that celebrates the transformative power of the creative process from inception through recognition to celebration and releasing into the world. We shadow the protagonist as she contemplates the blue print of an idea, collects the things that inspire from the natural world to shape a bird. And breathes life into it before letting it fly free. It shows how small things, combined with a little imagination and a steady heart, can transform into works of magic.'

(Source: publisher's blurb)

'Anemone lives alone in the rock pool. The tide comes in and the tide goes out.

'All Anemone wants is a friend, but friends are hard to make when you accidentally sting everyone who comes near you.

'Perhaps Clownfish has a solution to the problem ...' (Publication summary)

'This gentle story set in the rugged Australian bush is about a small calf who becomes separated from his family. The little calf is alone and simply wants his mother, sisters and brothers. He can see other animals, and after running to the river, manages to ask some horses if they are his family. The calf's family have been taken away in the back of a noisy truck. So begins the little calf's journey to find his family.

'In Found we share the calf's point of view in an evocative story, accompanied by stunning illustrations.' (Publication summary)

'Journey through the day with these vibrant feathered friends!

'Full of splashing shorebirds, clattering cockatoos, parading penguins and greedy galahs, Busy Beaks is the perfect introduction to Australian birds of all shapes and sizes.' (Publication summary)

'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)

'A classic in the making - joyous and playful, this will be read again and again. Pitched perfectly at the preschooler, just learning the rules who loves being the boss.
'Gorgeous illustrations and a rhyming text that's a delight to read out loud.' (Publication summary)

'Quokka did not like being cute. Not one bit. The romping, stomping, chomping tale of one stubbornly adorable marsupial.'

Source: publisher's blurb

'When Ellie is very little, she finds a newborn dragon fresh from the egg on a supermarket shelf, and calls him Scratch. He is quite the sweetest thing she has ever seen! From that day on, Ellie and Scratch do everything together. Ellie's mum and her teacher can't see her fiery friend, but all her friends can - and, over the years, Ellie's dragon grows to be big, house-trained, and very affectionate. And Ellie is growing, too...

'A moving story about the wonders of imagination and the nature of growing up from one of Australia's most revered bookmakers.' (Publication summary) 

'There was a child,

'The sweetest ever,

'Until she learned these words:

'NO! NEVER!'

'Georgie is a sweet little girl who always makes her parents happy... until she discovers one powerful phrase: No! Never!

'It suddenly becomes her answer to every request, from tidying up her toys to going to bed. Her parents are at their wits end, but what happens when they decide to try saying No! Never! themselves?'

'A lovely, lively look at the Terrible Twos (or Threes, or Fours, or Fives...) from mother-daughter team Libby Hathorn and Lisa Hathorn-Jarman, with debut illustrator Mel Pearce. Perfect for any parent dealing with tantrums, defiant behaviour or communication issues.' (Publication summary)

'From the author of the best-selling Mermaid! and Unicorn! and one of the world’s hottest new picture-book illustrators comes the story of a plucky young cockroach who gate-crashes a birthday party – with hilarious results. Funny, silly and surprisingly cute, Your Birthday Was the BEST! is the perfect blend of downright gross and delightfully entertaining.' (Publication summary)

'Bear can't sleep. Did you hear that? Did you feel that? What was it? It wasn't a hungry giant or a blood-sucking spider or a firebreathing dragon because there is NO SUCH THING . . . Is there?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

‘They’re both my mums.’
‘But which one’s your real mum?’

'When Nicholas wants to know which of Elvi’s two mums is her real mum, she gives him lots of clues. Her real mum is a circus performer, and a pirate, and she even teaches spiders the art of web.

'But Nicholas still can’t work it out! Luckily, Elvi knows just how to explain it to her friend.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.