AustLit

'Amanda and her two best friends, Lucia and Mai, are the Dolphin Squad. They live by the beach, hang out in HQ and solve all sort of problems. Amanda Commander is nearly nine and there is nothing she loves more than hanging out with her two best friends at HQ, making all sorts of plans and solving all kinds of problems. Amanda Commander is kind, loyal and a natural-born leader. But even school can be a battlefield sometimes, so sometimes Amanda and her Squad need a plan just to survive. When Amanda returns to school after having a sick day, she finds fitting back into the friendship group tricker than she imagined. Amanda makes a plan, with the help of the Dolphin Squad, to go out of their way and include anyone. But when Eve is sick and has a few days off school, how will Amanda ensure Eve doesn't have a blues-day back at school just like she did?

'It's OPERATION WELCOME BACK!

'Amanda tries everything to make Eve feel included, even when it means being left out herself.' (Publication summary)

'Sid the octopus loves socks, and he has LOTS. Every night he delights in counting his matching sets of eight, hung throughout his house in neat rows. When the socks start disappearing one by one, Sid’s life is thrown into turmoil. One missing sock means seven odd socks, and soon the odd socks’ box is overflowing. It fills a room and, pretty soon, has straggled out the door. Sid decides to stage a stake out to catch the thieves in the act. He uncovers the stolen stash, secreted away by a troupe of sneaky mice in need of a cosy nest. But the socks are ruined – chewed and smeared with food – and all seems lost. Only when he tips out his odd socks to bid them goodbye, does Sid see his mountains of mismatched treasures in a new light. Odd Sock Sid is a light-hearted mystery, rich with color and pattern, littered with matching and counting fun, and featuring an underlying message of the importance of embracing change.' (Publication summary)

'A charming story about silly socks and the special one that goes missing. Children will love the clues hidden in the pictures and will delight in solving the mystery before Felix!

'There are lots of funny socks to find and describe, and a rhyming refrain that will inspire children to tell the story with you. The detailed and colourful illustrations offer plenty of opportunities to discuss household items and different ways socks go missing.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Toodle the Cavoodle is helping the grandparents of Lillipilly Lane get things ready for a special party. But … he stumbles and bumbles and worries he’s in trouble. Whoops-a-diddle, Toodle! When he skedaddles, Toodle finds himself stuck where no-one can find him. Oh no! Will Toodle miss the special party?

'Toodle’s adventure sees him discover that he is loved no matter what — from one of Australia’s greatest storytellers.'  (Publication summary)  

'Amanda has picked her dress for the Year 3 BBQ and Disco. It's yellow with long sleeves and has pockets! Amanda is so excited to wear it, but when she discovers that Eve Kelly is going to wear the same dress, she calls on the Dolphin Squad to help her out. In their mission to get get Eve to wear a different coloured dress, however, the Dolphin Squad find that there might be something amazing to be had out of wearing the same dress...' (Publication summary)

'When Amanda and her friends make a pinky-promise to run together in the Cross-Country race at school, Amanda needs to make a choice. Should she keep her promise or win the race.

'It’s OPERATION CROSS COUNTRY!

'Even though she is competitive, Amanda learns it is more important to show kindness to others than win.' (Publication summary)

'Toodle the Cavoodle loves finding smells in the scritchy, scratchy grass. But the grandparents of Lillipilly Lane love cleaning up and finding fresh uses for junk. They’re about to turn Toodle’s favourite sniffling snuffling patch into a neat and tidy park!  Oh no! What will Toodle do?

'Toodle’s adventure sees him adapting to change and making new friends – from one of Australia’s greatest storytellers.' (Publication summary)

'When every girl in Year Three gets an invitation to Eve's birthday party except Amanda, Amanda makes a plan, with the help of the Dolphin Squad, to win herself an invitation before the week is through. It's OPERATION INVITATION! Amanda tries everything to make Eve like her and get an invitation to the party, until she finally learns it's more important to be kind, not for what you can get but because of who you are. Three best friends. One HQ. And loads of fun. Amanda Commander is nearly nine and there is nothing she loves more than hanging out with her two best friends at HQ, making all sorts of plans and solving all kinds of problems. A junior fiction series about how to rise up to the challenges that being a kid throws at you, all the while doing it with your best friends and cultivating some great relationships on the way. Friendship, courage, curiosity, communication and action; learn with Amanda the importance of these as she embarks tries to navigate the problems she's faced with, using her wit and heart.'  (Publication summary)

'As the seasons shift, the world around us changes.
Cicadas drone and clouds rumble.
Fruit bats squabble and snails ooze.
Leaves drift and bees bustle.

'Secrets of the seasons explores the magic of a childhood spent in the Australian bush, uncovering all our beautiful and diverse land has to offer.'  (Publication summary)

'One morning, Alexander woke to find a duck waiting for him. As more ducks arrived, Alexander’s life overflowed with fun and affection. However, as his new feathered friends filled the house, it became clear there were simply TOO MANY DUCKS for one small boy to handle.

'Too Many Ducks is a whimsical story about appreciating what you have before it’s gone, and working out how to make things right when friendship seems lost.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Jayden James thought his family of five was perfect - until last Wednesday when Mitchell David arrived.

'Now the car's too small, picnics are ruined and no one's paying attention to Jayden anymore. Jayden knows something needs to be done. And he's the only one who can do it!

'A gentle story about acceptance, belonging and what it means to be family.'

(Source: publisher's blurb)

'There's a big chocolate cake at the end of this book.
If you don't believe us, then take a quick look.
But beware, for Bad Herbert is heading there too.
Do you think he can get to the cake before you?

'Bad Herbert is a naughty ape who will do anything for a delicious slice of chocolate cake.

'Let's see how far he can get...' (Publication summary)

'In the North Pacific Ocean lives a monster made of trash,
A hungry, greedy meanie with a handlebar moustache.
And though his name is Garbage Guts, he’s often called Big G.
He blobs about destroying all the oceans and the seas.

'Garbage Guts is determined to have the ocean all for himself, and will do just about anything to get his way. How on Earth will this beast be stopped?

'This action-packed story explores the impact of our waste on the environment, and ways we can help save our planet.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'After stuffing themselves with treats in the pantry, six furry trespassers search for a place to sleep off their excesses. Can they avoid discovery and keep the gang together? Six Sleepy Mice is a fast-paced, fun rhyming tale of adventure and comradery, best read aloud.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Moving to a new place, or starting a new school, can be overwhelming — more than anything you need a friend.

'Luckily for Kate, she has the Thing. Kate and the Thing is a story of courage and kindness, and the need to belong.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Little Bird Blue and Little Bird Black refuse to share! Each wants to sit on the wire alone in this funny rhyming story.' (Publication summary)