AustLit

'A moving story about the bond between a mother and her child.

'My Heart depicts the many ways a mother's heart can
experience love and emotion while her baby journeys through the milestones of
growing up. The story uses repetition and subtle variation to reflect the activity
and reactions of the mother's heart, and how they change with each mother-child
interaction.

The narrative moves through the early years until the child goes off on their first independent activity, a deeply moving moment for all mothers. Beautifully detailed
illustrations depict the connection between mother and child, reminding readers
that a mother's heart will always be with her children, no matter where they
go.' (Publication summary)

'Mila is a cardboard design engineer. She is currently designing and constructing a cupcake catapult with her little sister, Ivy. However, things change when Ivy destroys their project, making cardboard confetti instead. Mila is devastated and wants nothing more to do with Ivy. Mila continues to engineer - alone. But something is missing. Maybe Ivy was making cardboard confetti for a reason. So how do sisters rebuild their relationship while engineering their next ultimate cardboard creation?' (Publication summary)

'A summer shower brings the delight of a rainbow. Is there truly magic at the end that Dad believes there is? Join Xavier and Sophie and they frolic in their backyard, creating rainbows and chaos with imaginative and experimental water play. The children quickly discover the joy of chasing rainbows. But will they ever discover the secret of what lies at the end of the rainbow? Perhaps Dad can show them how?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Isla isn't happy that her family is changing, so her mother creates a clever family tree with Isla to teach her how to accept that families always grow. Her mother hands her two new leaves, but Isla doesn't think they belong. "There's no room left on our branch -- it's full " she says. Isla tries to make them fit somewhere, maybe with her cousins, at Aunty Violet and Aunty Jasmine's house, or at Aunty Daisy and Uncle Doug's. There's definitely no room on her branch though

'However, once she meets her new brothers she has a change of heart. She falls in love and finds room for them after all -- "Our branch grew a little," says Isla. "Our family is never too full."

'Isla's Family Tree is the perfect book for any family needing to find a way to introduce new family members, or to show children how they belong in their own family. The book explores important issues surrounding familial change and acceptance, while also providing a glimpse into a diverse family. Including adopted cousins and same-sex couples, it highlights that every family is normal. There are no rules about what a family looks like in a forest full of family trees.'   (Publication summary)

'One day, Dad invites Billy into his shed to build something, but Billy soon finds out that he is only allowed to watch. As Dad becomes engrossed in his project, Billy takes Dad’s off-cuts and other items from around the yard and shed and starts to copy what his Dad is building. Dad remains blissfully unaware!

'At the end of the day, they reveal their creations — two very different racing carts — and Dad discovers that Billy has more skills and abilities than his dad had ever imagined! Joining forces, Dad and Billy set out as a team to build a cart together — the best one yet — and enter the upcoming local cart race.

'Up to Something beautifully explores the father–son relationship, and how they can bond while doing things together that they both love, as well as touching on the power of imagination and creativity, and the satisfaction to be gained from recycling and making things ourselves. '   (Publication summary)

'Ben and his dog, Bandit know how to avoid having baths for a whole week – or do they? A fun story full of chaos, mess, noise and adventure as Ben and his beloved pet, Bandit avoid having baths for an entire week.

'Ben and his best friend, Bandit have decided it’s ‘NO BATHS’ week. Mum plays along but challenges them to find other ways to get clean.

'Will Ben and Bandit come up with a clever plan? And will they rediscover their love of having a bath?

'This humorous story is bursting with mess, noise, and adventure. A perfect balance of fun and chaos for anyone involved in this often loved, but sometimes dreaded, daily bath routine.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'This heart-warming picture book explores the bond between a father and his daughter. One day, a little girl notices her father mowing the lawn — in the process destroying her favourite flowers: the dandelions. She rushes out to stop him, but she’s too late, they’re all gone. There’s nothing for it: she’s just going to have to sit outside and wait until they grow back! But fortunately, Dad has another idea. Taking her hand, he leads her to the front step, and there, nestled in a crack in the concrete, are two tiny dandelion puff balls.

'Father and daughter each blow as hard as they can, and the tiny dandelion parachutes spiral and spin, up, up and away, spreading their seeds to create new generations of dandelions far and wide. And together, father and daughter lie down on the grass, watching as they whirl and twirl through the air.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.