AustLit

'The sun is up, today’s the day. The little ones come, with smiles so wide and silky bags as big as them ... A lonely library book sits on the shelf, hoping for small hands to choose them ... Will today be the day they’re whisked away for a reading adventure?' (Publication summary)

'Preparations are underway for a school fun run, and everyone's a bit on edge! What if I'm not as fast and fit as everyone else? What if people laugh at or tease me? This book explores scenarios that all young readers will relate to - things that seem impossibly hard, need practice or simply require aa big effort. With hilarious illustrations by Heath McKenzie, this book teaches the valuable lesson that sometimes it's more important to try your best than to focus on the end result. We can do so much if we just try!'  (Publication summary)

'Andy Lee and Heath McKenzie are back with their highly anticipated ninth book, (Pretty Please) Do Not Open this Book. Whether ‘pretty please’ is a polite request or a desperate plea is for you to decide!

'This time, Wizz is reunited with his delightful friend Nessie, in some more highly relatable and hilarious situations. Anyone who occasionally (or not so occasionally) is nervous or unsure of themselves will delight in Wizz’s escapades. Trying new things and letting go of fears about being good enough are important lessons and who could be better to teach a spoonful of confidence than Andy Lee?' (Publication summary)

'Timmy is super excited to show off the Lions home pitch to his old friend, Nic. But what’s this?! The pitch has been turned into a big pile of dirt! Where will Timmy and the team play and train now? Luckily, Coach Roach has some ideas to keep the Lions’ skill levels up – but it’s going to take some getting used to! Can Timmy take the hard knocks in the small-sided skills sessions? Find out in Book 15 of the best-selling series from Socceroos Legend, Tim Cahill!' (Publication summary)

'Ever since she was small, Spike wished she could be a Super Speedy Sloth on a great rescue spree. The other sloths said it just wasn’t right. But Spike was ready to show them her might! A joyful and inspiring zero-to-hero story by award-winning creators Rebecca Young and Heath McKenzie.' (Publication summary)

'It's Christmas! But wait ... what do we have here? Snakes in the stockings! An actual reindeer?! Birds in the tree, rhinos and llamas too! And presents for them all ... and me and you! Christmas is hilarious fun when your house is a Zoo!' (Publication summary)

'A heart-warming seasonal tale for kids and their families to share, based on the popular Justine Clarke song.

'There’s a feeling in the air,
We’ve been waiting all the year.

'There’s a new star up in the sky tonight,
And it’s shining oh so bright!
Here comes a Merry Christmas - for all of the family.

'Capturing the fun and magic of Christmas in Australia, this picture book celebrates the spirit of Christmas and the joy of sharing time with family and friends during the festive season.

'Based on the much-loved song by superstar children’s entertainer Justine Clarke and award-winning writers Arthur Baysting and Peter Dasent, with heart-warming illustrations by best-selling creator Heath McKenzie.' (Publication summary)

'What does Harry do when his prank goes wrong and he finds himself 396 km from home, completely lost, being followed by a rhino, a clumsy ninja flamingo and a crew of angry poachers?! Plan another epic prank, of course!! Surely everything will work out, right? Er ... Hye-No!' (Publication summary)

'We all know that sticks and stones can hurt someone, but what about words? Whether it's a comment about someone's hairstyle or their smelly lunch, we've all had the experience of accidentally hurting someone's feelings. It can be a tricky life lesson how to resolve this situation, and realising that changing your choice of words can make all the difference. Sometimes old sayings are worth questioning.' (Publication summary)

'Christmas is an exciting, busy, sometimes overwhelming time of year! There's so much to see! So much to do! So much to WANT! Narrowing the Christmas list down is challenging but it's a perfect time of year for this gentle and humorous lesson in remembering 'you get what you get and you don't get upset'. Heath McKenzie's humorous take on navigating the inevitable Christmas meltdowns will be loved by children and appreciated by their parents!' (Publication summary)

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'Why is the Sky Blue? Why not green? Or purple? Or brown?! (Actually maybe not brown ...) Heath McKenzie brings laughter and fun to the science of light and colour. Taking as a launching point a typical WHY? question, Heaths illustrations and humour make an entertaining read aloud for all. This picture book is destined to become another firm favourite with kids and parents alike.' (Publication summary)

'Uh oh, bad news—it looks like Tiny Timmy is out of form! It seems the harder he tries, the less chance he has of scoring a goal! What’s going on?! Then Coach Cruz, a new assistant, joins the team, and he’s got some great ideas to get Timmy scoring again!

'Can Timmy keep fighting to get back in the goals? Find out in Book 14 of the bestselling series from Socceroos Legend, Tim Cahill!' (Publication summary)

'It was finally time for the event of the year, Spike couldn't believe it - the great race was here! The other sloths said it couldn't be done, but Spike didn't care, she was ready to run! From award-winning creators Rebecca Young and Heath McKenzie, comes this inspiring story to celebrate all winners ... especially those who don't come first. The official story chosen for ALIA National Simultaneous Storytime 2023, to be celebrated all across Australia and New Zealand!' (Publication summary)

'There’s so much to love about this great game – the cheers and tears, the community spirit, the traditions.
'Not to mention how much fun it is to get out and take a speccy!

'Whether you’re a footy newbie or a die-hard fan, AFL is a game for everyone.' (Publication summary)