AustLit

'A gorgeous and moving book that celebrates finding yourself, the value of trying and the wonders of music from a talented new author and illustrator.

'Plum worries she's not good at anything. Big Brother is good at climbing trees and Second Brother is good at painting, but when Plum tries to join them, she discovers climbing and painting aren't really for her. Then she hears piano notes for the first time and her heart flips over like a pancake on a hot pan. Could playing the piano be the thing that's truly meant for her?

'Pancakes for Plum is a gentle, whimsical celebration of self-discovery, beautifully illustrated by remarkable new author-illustrator Rae Tan.' (Publication summary)

'From three-time Paralympian swimmer, medal-winner and disability advocate Sarah Rose, comes a big-hearted guide to disability, full of letters, learnings and laughs from a disabled person to you.

'A is for Ability is an A to Z of celebrating what makes each of us unique, featuring bold, brightly coloured artwork by award-winning illustrator Beck Feiner - including the Auslan sign for each letter of the alphabet.' (Publication summary)

'Did you know that a bolt of lightning is five times hotter than the Sun? Or that slugs have four noses? How about that humans share 50 per cent of our DNA with bananas? Freddie Spector, the world's greatest fact collector, knows all these things and so much more.

'Freddie Spector loves collecting facts - about anything and everything. His latest obsession is space. It's all he talks about: stars, planets, galaxies, astronauts, space travel - and, of course UFOs and extraterrestrials. Freddie writes all his facts on sticky notes that his mum and big sister, Henrietta, keep finding in weird places - like in their sock drawers or their sandwiches.

'But whenever Freddie collects facts on a topic, his very active imagination always gets involved too. And, after noticing some very suspicious goings-on, Freddie realises it's up to him to discover the answer to a burning question: could aliens have landed in his neighbourhood?

'Fast-paced and funny, this series is all about an everyday eight-year-old boy whose love of facts and extraordinary imagination come together with unexpected and hilarious results.' (Publication summary)

'Did you know that lawnmower racing is a sport? Or that cranberries bounce? How about that Gentoo penguins can bodysurf?

'Freddie Spector loves collecting facts - about anything and everything. At the moment he's obsessed with facts about sport. It's all he talks about: weird sports, Olympic sports, extreme sports, athletes and sporting history. He writes all his facts on sticky notes that his mum and big sister, Henrietta, keep finding in weird places - like in a cup of coffee or the shower.

'But whenever Freddie collects facts on a topic, his very active imagination always gets involved too. And, when the medals for the school sports carnival go missing and the carnival is about to be cancelled, Freddie realises it's up to him to solve the mystery and save the day.

'Fast-paced and humorous, this series is all about an everyday eight-year-old boy whose love of facts and extraordinary imagination come together with unexpected and hilarious results.' (Publication summary)

'An unforgettable story of friendship, hope and happiness from two masters of their craft, renowned Australian writer Zana Fraillon and illustrator Stephen Michael King.

'Are you ready? Are you listening? Something is about to begin.

'When Ada arrives on the day of the Great Summer Storm, it is like the wind had picked her up and blown her in - walking stick and all - and dumped her right at the front gates of number 9 Hawkhurst Lane.

'Unfortunately, Ada is not the kind of neighbour Hettie was hoping for. Cranky, impatient and a hater of cats, Ada has no intention of making friends.

'But as the summer unfolds, Hettie and Ada discover they have more in common than they think. Could their unlikely friendship be the missing piece they never knew they needed?' (Publication summary)

'James loves two things more than anything in the world: dinosaurs and miniatures. So when his class goes on an excursion to a museum and James finds a miniature dinosaur in the gift shop, he can't help himself: he steals the dinosaur.

'But as the day continues, James's guilt grows. And so does the dinosaur!The only thing that can cure James's guilt - and shrink the dinosaur back to its proper size - is doing the right thing.

'A warm-hearted cautionary tale for sticky fingers everywhere.' (Publication summary)

'It all began in a burrow. The fifty-fifth burrow of Bushland Avenue to be exact. If you were ever lucky enough to find this beautiful clearing on Kangaroo Island where the arching gum trees kiss, you'd know that Wurrtoo's home is the one at the end with the big red trapdoor and large gold doorknob. Can you see it?

'Wurrtoo the wombat lives a quiet and solitary life in his burrow on Kangaroo Island, hoping to one day travel to the mainland and marry the love of his life, the sky. When Wurrtoo inadvertently saves Kuula the koala from a bushfire, he acquires the adventure companion he didn't know he needed.

'With Kuula by his side, Wurrtoo leaves the safety of his burrow and sets out on an epic journey to cross the island, reach the mainland and climb to the top of tallest tree in the Forest of Dreaming. But it's fire season, and danger and strange creatures lurk behind every gum tree. To make it, the pair must face their fears together, learn the importance of friendship and discover the power of wombat wishes.

'Tylissa Elisara draws on classic children's literature in the tradition of Winnie the Pooh and Blinky Bill as well as stories from her own Narungga, Kaurna and Adnyamathanha heritage in this unique middle-grade novel about friendship, adventure and facing your fears.' (Publication summary)

'Every day is an adventure with Roobee Roo! Roobee Roo is an adorable and curious little kangaroo with a magical pouch full of surprises. After waking up to find something new in her pouch each day, Roobee loves playing with her friends and family as she explores the exciting world around her.

'In Makes a Splash, Roobee Roo kicks and swims and splashes her way through her swimming lesson. Join Roobee in this delightful and uniquely Australian lift-the-flap board book series for fans of Spot and Maisy.'  (Publication summary)

'Every day is an adventure with Roobee Roo! Roobee Roo is an adorable and curious little kangaroo with a magical pouch full of surprises. After waking up to find something new in her pouch each day, Roobee loves playing with her friends and family as she explores the exciting world around her.

'In It's My Birthday!, Roobee Roo and her friends come together to celebrate Roobee's birthday. Join Roobee in this delightful and uniquely Australian lift-the-flap board book series for fans of Spot and Maisy.'  (Publication summary)

 (Publication summary)

'Every day is an adventure with Roobee Roo!

'Roobee Roo is an adorable and curious little kangaroo with a magical pouch full of surprises. After waking up to find something new in her pouch each day, Roobee loves playing with her friends and family as she explores the exciting world around her.

'In Friends at the Library, Roobee Roo helps Kala Koala find the perfect book to read. Join Roobee in this delightful and uniquely Australian lift-the-flap board book series for fans of Spot and Maisy.'(Publication summary)

'It is a little remembered fact that not only soldiers went to war; many animals were taken too. The purple poppy that we wear on the National Day for War Animals was created to honour animals like Simpson's donkey for their courage and fortitude, and the comfort they gave to soldiers. Wear A Purple Poppy combines a poetic tribute with non-fiction text to inform young readers of the loyal work of these animals. From the donkeys, horses, mules and dogs to the elephants, pigeons, cats and camels who took on roles as mascots, trackers and messengers, we wear a purple poppy for you.' (Publication summary)

'Inside the small bowl of your hands,
I see your treasure.

'A mother and child explore a deserted beach on a windy day. It is an afternoon they will both treasure always.

'A poetic and tender book about how the small moments spent together are often the most precious.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'On the night of a full moon, a small tropical dingo cub is born. And it is her destiny to travel far from home to change things for her kind.

'Kimmi sleeps with her mama at her back, her aunty at her front and her three brothers squeezed in beside her. They are a family. But when the farmer who took her father returns to threaten the rest of them, Kimmi is separated from her mama.

'In an incredible act of determination, Kimmi's mama runs over mountain tops and dusty red earth to spend one last day with her cub and share with her the knowledge that will one day make her a queen.

'This is Kimmi's story, the story of how she became Queen of the Dingoes in a sanctuary that saves them from extinction. It is her mama's story, too. But mostly it is a story that goes back thousands of years, and follows the long line of female dingoes they belong to.

'An inspiring true story of survival and courage from one of Australia's best-loved writers.' (Publication summary)