AustLit

'A gentle exploration of a child’s realisation that it is her individual differences and creativity that make her special, with stunning illustrations by the talented Gabriel Evans that delicately and sensitively convey the child’s emotional journey.

'A young child describes her qualms about going to school and how hard she finds asking the teacher for help, how she feels shy about making friends, not being funny or a fast runner. But through her love of art, a conversation with her mother and her observations about nature she comes to see that being different might not be a bad thing after all.

'I lay down and put my nose in the grass. The grass was dotted with yellow flowers, but blue ones grew there too. I rolled over and looked at the trees and the clouds, and thought about things for a while.

'‘Not all clouds are white,’ I said, and Piccolo looked at me.

'‘Not all trees are tall. Not all birds are brown. Not all cats are tabby like you, Piccolo. Some are black. Some are orange. Some are calico.’

'Piccolo swished his stripy tail. I plucked a flower and showed it to him. ‘This flower isn’t yellow, but it isn’t wrong. It is what it’s supposed to be. No one would want it to be yellow. Everyone would say it’s lovely just the way it is.’

'A beautifully told story about being happy in yourself for who you are from one of Australia's finest writers.' (Publication summary)

'When you are small
you can see
things that
grown-ups
are too busy
to notice ...

'Everyone walks right past Pete - except for one little boy. He notices Pete's drawings, and big smile, and soon he has a new friend. When Pete gets sick, the boy wants to help. But how do you help someone get better when they don't have a home?

'A heartfelt, moving story about the importance of really seeing the world around us and the power in tiny acts of kindness.'(Publication summary)

'I just ate my friend. He was a good friend. But now he is gone. Would you be my friend? A hilarious story about the search for friendship and belonging . . . and maybe a little bit about the importance of impulse control. The search for a true friend is something everyone can relate to and this beautiful, innovative picture book will make the very young to the very old laugh out loud.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Secret Men's Business talks to young men themselves - in the way that only John Marsden can. It sets out, in direct, honest language, the things every young man needs to know... And the things young men aren't being told. Not just the obvious. Not just the basic. As John Marsden says: "In one way all you have to do to become a man is to stay alive. Physically you'll grow into a man. But to become a man who is mature, independent, responsible and wise, you'll need to do more than just have birthdays."

'Young men who read this book will learn how to be strong, how to be honest, how to confront their fears. They'll understand how to deal with men and women, parents and teachers, male friends and female friends. They'll get a sense of the integrity that every true man needs. They'll find ways to resolve problems without being destructive or self-destructive. They'll have their questions about sex answered...In clear, straightforward language' (source: publisher's website).