AustLit logo
Jane Godwin Jane Godwin i(A33795 works by)
Born: Established: 1964 ;
Gender: Female
The material on this page is available to AustLit subscribers. If you are a subscriber or are from a subscribing organisation, please log in to gain full access. To explore options for subscribing to this unique teaching, research, and publishing resource for Australian culture and storytelling, please contact us or find out more.

Works By

Preview all
1 y separately published work icon Look Me in the Eye Jane Godwin , Sydney : Hachette Children's Books Australia , 2024 27131016 2024 single work children's fiction children's

'Once trust is gone, what is there to hold onto? From award-winning author Jane Godwin, a thought-provoking novel about young teens navigating friendship and trust in a post-pandemic world of surveillance and control.

'running late
drop it off without me
I type drop what off? I don't know what Mish is talking about.
While I'm typing, another message appears. don't tell bella
But I am Bella.

'Best friends Bella and Connie live on the outskirts of the city in an area that was once full of open fields and paddocks but is changing as the suburbs creep closer. And now there is Mish, Connie's cousin, who has to be included even though she is unfriendly and unpredictable. The pandemic lockdowns have lifted and the three teens are eager to explore their newfound independence. But with the world opening up, there has been a rise in surveillance, from apps that track their movements to voice recorders and hidden cameras. It feels like everyone is watching them. But when does 'watching' become 'watching over'?

'Do we have a right to know everything about those we love? Look Me in the Eye is a gripping tale of young teens navigating freedom and trust-building, privacy and secrets, in an era of parental surveillance.' (Publication summary) 

1 y separately published work icon Angus and Moose Read a Book Jane Godwin , Terri Rose Baynton (illustrator), Lindfield : Scholastic Australia , 2023 27348609 2023 single work picture book children's

'Angus and Mouse are best friends. But when Angus brings home a beautiful new book from the library, what happens as they try to share? When mistakes are made, can they be fixed? An enchanting story about friendship, forgiveness and the magic of reading.' (Publication summary)

1 y separately published work icon Angus and Mouse Read a Book Jane Godwin , Terri Rose Baynton (illustrator), Lindfield : Scholastic Australia , 2023 26851447 2023 single work picture book children's

'Angus and Mouse are best friends. But when Angus brings home a beautiful new book from the library, what happens as they try to share? When mistakes are made, can they be fixed? An enchanting story about friendship, forgiveness and the magic of reading.' (Publication summary)

1 y separately published work icon A Life Song Jane Godwin , Anna Walker (illustrator), Melbourne : Puffin , 2023 26510360 2023 single work picture book children's

'From the award-winning team that created classics such as Don’t ForgetAll Through the YearTilly and Starting School, comes an exquisite, universal and captivating picture book that carries us through a child's life journey on the magical metaphor of song.

'When you are born, you make up a song
It doesn’t rhyme, and it isn’t long
A song of everything you hold dear
It’s your own tune, it’s loud and clear
'And your whole world is in it…

'A musical journey from the time a child's life song first begins, through all its modulations, adding new verses and extra voices through the years, until it becomes their own unique composition - and one that is ultimately a part of the beautiful, grand and glistening score of the world.' (Publication summary)

1 y separately published work icon Can You Teach a Fish to Climb a Tree? Jane Godwin , Terry Denton (illustrator), Richmond : Bright Light , 2023 26498012 2023 single work picture book children's

'‘Everybody is a genius.
But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree,
it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.’
-- Albert Einstein (or not, as it turns out!)

'So … can a fish climb a tree?
Can a horse drive a car?
Can a baby bake a cake?

'And if they can’t, what wonderful things can they do?

'From bestselling creators Jane Godwin and Terry Denton comes a quirky and inspiring book about celebrating who YOU are and the power and peace to be found in not trying to be anyone else.' (Publication summary)

1 y separately published work icon Hurry Up, Harry! Jane Godwin , Sydney : Lothian , 2023 26356924 2023 single work children's fiction children's

'A warm and relatable junior fiction series about all the big and little things that matter when you're finding your place in the wide new world, from Jane Godwin, one of Australia's most respected writers for children, with delightful illustrations by Robin Cowcher.

'Isabelle and her best friends Harry B and Izzy are in Year Two and there are lots of adventures to be had: getting to know their new teacher, going to a school disco and sleepover, bridge-building in the forest, and even a baby to show the whole class!

'Isabelle loves being in Year Two, until . . . Harry has some news that shocks them all.

'How will Isabelle manage the rest of the year without Harry B by her side?

'A warm and relatable series about all the special little moments and big dramas of being seven. Jane Godwin, one of Australia's most respected writers for children, gently explores the trials and triumphs of friends, family and school life, with delightful illustrations by Robin Cowcher.' (Publication summary)

1 y separately published work icon Baby Day Jane Godwin , Davina Bell , Freya Blackwood (illustrator), Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2023 26209964 2023 single work picture book children's

'This delightful story from a winning team perfectly celebrates the joy and chaos of a baby-filled day!

'It's a busy day for baby in this darling, cheeky, charming board book.

Today is baby's birthday. Happy baby!

Here come baby's friends. Hello!

Shy baby.

Friendly baby.

Sunny baby. 

Strong baby.

'Who else will we meet?'(Publication summary)

1 y separately published work icon Izzy and Belle Jane Godwin , Sydney : Lothian , 2023 25529438 2023 selected work children's fiction

'Six-year-old Isabelle doesn't have any brothers or sisters. But she does have her dad, her cat Steve, her friend Harry B, and her baby cousin, Bibi, who she's very good at looking after. And then along comes Isobel, a new girl at school. They have the same name, but will they be friends?

'Four gentle stories in one volume, all about Isabelle and her world, its trials and triumphs, its small moments and big dramas: friends, family, school life and growing up, from Jane Godwin, one of Australia's respected writers for children, and with delightful illustrations by Robin Cowcher.' 

(Publication summary)

1 y separately published work icon The Isabelle Stories Jane Godwin , 2023 Sydney : Lothian , 2023- 25529410 2023 series - author children's fiction
1 y separately published work icon Let's Build a Boat Jane Godwin , Meg Rennie (illustrator), Surry Hills : Little Hare Books , 2023 25099375 2023 single work picture book children's 'Let’s build a boat
with wood and nails.
‘What colour?’
‘Blue! With bright red sails.’


'In this joyous celebration of creativity and imagination, Jane Godwin brings to life the story of four children building a boat together. 
  • Written in delightful rhyme by one of Australia's most celebrated authors, with art by debut illustrator Meg Rennie - winner of the Little Hare Illustration Prize.
  • The perfect book to read aloud to children learning the joy of imaginative play
  • Debut illustrator Meg Rennie's bold colours and expressive characters perfectly compliment Jane Godwin's text
  • Winner of the Little Hare Illustration Prize'  (Publication summary)

 

1 y separately published work icon The Best Hiding Place Jane Godwin , Sylvia Morris (illustrator), Mulgrave : Affirm Press , 2022 24801297 2022 single work picture book children's

'Archie has found the best hiding place.

'But after a while, it feels too quiet.

'Is the game still on?

'Has Archie been forgotten?

'From bestselling author Jane Godwin and emerging illustrator Sylvia Morris comes a rich and atmospheric story that captures the highs and lows of hide-and-seek, and the joy of being found.'(Publication summary)

1 1 y separately published work icon A Walk In The Dark Jane Godwin , Sydney : Lothian , 2022 24677419 2022 single work children's fiction children's

'A gripping and suspenseful rite-of-passage novel about five teenagers and one night that will change them all, from award-winning author Jane Godwin.

''It's just a walk in the dark. What is there to worry about?'

'That's what the head teacher, Johan, says. And so the Year Nines from Otway Community School set out on an overnight hike, with no adults.

'But doesn't Johan know that a storm is coming?

'When five teenagers head in to the forest that late afternoon, none of them is aware what the night will bring. Each will have to draw on their particular strengths to survive. Each will have to face the unknown, battling the elements, events beyond their control, and their own demons. It's a night that will change everything.

'Set in the rainforest of Victoria's Otway Ranges, A Walk in the Dark is about friendship, trust, identity and family, consent and boundaries, wrapped in a compulsively readable, suspense-filled adventure.

'Five head into the forest, but will all five make it out?'  (Publication summary)

1 y separately published work icon Polly's Grand Party Plan Jane Godwin , Evie Barrow (illustrator), Mulgrave : Affirm Press , 2022 23944160 2022 single work picture book children's

'Polly's sixth birthday would be here any day

'(Well actually thirty-five sleeps away)

'She was counting down till the thirteenth of May

'There'd be a party! Yippee! Hooray!

'Polly was making a plan ...

'For dreamers and party planners everywhere comes a relatable picture book about throwing the perfect birthday party... even when things don't exactly go to plan.'  (Publication summary)

1 y separately published work icon All the Words I Need to Know : A First Dictionary Jane Godwin , Andrew Joyner (illustrator), Melbourne : Penguin , 2022 23776720 2022 single work picture book children's

'All the words you need to know Will help you as you learn and grow. From ant and ball and yak and zoo, Here’s a word book JUST FOR YOU!' (Publication summary)

1 y separately published work icon Say Hello Jane Godwin , Jane Reiseger (illustrator), Mulgrave : Affirm Press , 2022 23663362 2022 single work picture book children's

'Let's find some animals off we go!

'Would you like to meet them and say hello?

'Join dynamic duo Jane Godwin and Jane Reiseger on a fun and bright adventure to learn all the ways that animals say hello. Look out for the sneaky little mouse along the way!' (Publication summary)

1 y separately published work icon Families Jane Godwin , Yael Frankel (illustrator), Richmond : Little Hare Books , 2022 23424763 2022 single work picture book children's 'Diverse families of all kinds are represented in this joyful celebration of what it means to be a family. Children will love the dynamic illustrations and the rhythmic narrative which allows for creative interpretation and interaction.' (Publication summary)
2 y separately published work icon Little One Jane Godwin , Gabriel Evans (illustrator), Mulgrave : Affirm Press , 2021 21847040 2021 single work picture book children's

'Pippi loves her special Little One: she's soft like mist and always warm, and she's there for Pippi through night and day.

'Together, they sit at the window and wonder at the world.

'But one day, Little One goes missing. Pippi feels lost too, but perhaps she can learn to wonder at the world without Little One by her side ...

'From a wonderful new pairing of Jane Godwin and Gabriel Evans comes a timeless story that reminds us nothing is ever truly lost.' (Publication summary)

1 y separately published work icon Mumma, Dadda, No, Mine, More Jane Godwin , Jane Massey (illustrator), Surry Hills : Little Hare Books , 2021 21063193 2021 single work picture book children's 'A delightfully warm and funny story that perfectly captures the magical time when a baby first begins to speak.' (Publication summary)
4 y separately published work icon Don't Forget Jane Godwin , Anna Walker (illustrator), Melbourne : Puffin , 2021 20857428 2021 single work picture book children's

'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)

2 y separately published work icon Arno and His Horse Jane Godwin , Felicita Sala (illustrator), Melbourne : Scribe , 2021 20519357 2021 single work picture book children's

'Arno and his Horse is a beautifully written rhyming text, matched with exquisite illustrations, that explores love, memory, loss and the power objects can hold.

'Arno had a horse
It was brown and it was black.
He took it with him everywhere
But did he bring it back?

'When Arno loses the wooden toy horse his grandfather made him, he looks everywhere for it: by the river, at the playground, at the shop. As he searches through his outback hometown, he remembers the things he and his grandfather used to do together.' (Publication summary)

X