AustLit

'Butterfly Girl is a charming and sensitively illustrated book about friendship and making space for animals, even in an urban environment. Olivia, who loves butterflies, has to leave her home in the countryside and move into a city apartment. Feeling lonely without her fluttering friends, she realises she needs to transform her bare balcony if she wants her friends to visit — and that turns out to be a great way to meet her new neighbours!' (Publication summary)

'Tessa wants a grandma. She’s never had one before. So she sets off to find the perfect grandma – one who can dance, and sing, and tell funny jokes. Oh, and bake yummy cookies! Tessa finds lots of lovely grandmas at Lakeview retirement village but she is captivated by a sad old lady who doesn’t seem to want to talk to her. Will Tessa find a way to get Ivy to open up and play with her? Find out in this charming story about how one kind gesture can change someone’s life.' (Publication summary)

'A baby penguin wants to show his mama how much he loves her, so he tries to catch a shooting star for her birthday. Kip chases the star as fast as he can, but it disappears before he gets close. Determined to find the star, Kip continues on, but soon finds himself lost in a strange place surrounded by scary creatures. Will Kip ever get the chance to show his mama how much she means to him? Find out in this charming story that celebrates the power of love and the special bond between mother and child.' (Publication summary)

'When Daddy told me I was getting a new playmate, I was so excited. I wouldn't mind too much if it was a puppy. Or a little chick. Or maybe a bunny. I hope it's a dinosaur - I love dinosaurs! An imaginative story about anticipating a new arrival.' (Publication summary)

'Starting School Can be Scary Sometimes!

'Edward is anxious to start knight-school. He puts on his armour, prepared for battle. It’s sure to be terrifying with all those ogres and dragons about. But at school, Edward is befriended by an ogre who offers him some of her lunch. Edward soon realizes that maybe things aren’t as bad as they first seemed. In fact, his armour was holding him back. As he learns to let his guard down, magic and fun await and Edward realizes the dragons and ogres he feared are actually just like him.'

(Source: publisher's blurb)

'Every Sunday Lola visits her Grandpa. They spend the day exploring the universe and teaching each other about the world. But then one day everything changes. Grandpa isn’t there anymore. Lola struggles to deal with the loss. But as time goes by Lola realises that her Grandpa will always be with her — in her heart and in the memories they made. Lola and Grandpa is a beautiful and reassuring story of love, loss and the value of memories.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.