AustLit

'Little Max has little legs, little feet and little steps.
When Rosie, Izzy and Georgi go cubby hunting, little Max wants to go too but he can’t keep up with his friends. Max soon finds himself lost and alone.
But what else will he find?

'Cubby Hunting is a universal story about a young child who isn’t quite tall enough or strong enough just yet but tries desperately to keep up. It's a gentle story that navigates growing up and celebrates that we can all excel in different ways.' (Publication summary)

'If a monkey goes oo-oo

and a lion goes, ROAR!

What noise does the baby make?

'This wonderfully noisy book will delight readers with all the different sounds animals make from the common to the unexpected.' (Publication summary)

'Lucy and her mother look through items in a memory box, but Lucy's memories differ from Mom's, except about feeling love.

'When Lucy and her mother look through items in Lucy's memory box, such as her first shoes, photos, and a drawing, Lucy remembers things differently to Mom, except for one thing, the memory of feeling love for the first time. In this sweet picture book about memories, family connections, and love, children will discover the pleasure of keeping a memory box and relate to their own earliest memories and feelings of love.' (Publication summary)

''When Nana knits, sister bakes and brother hides, what does baby do?'

'A beautifully illustrated book celebrating the joy and chaos of babyhood.' (Publication summary)

'Our Home is a picture book about where children live in Australia. From a rugged coast to an outback station to a high-rise apartment.

'Our Home showcases the landscapes, families and communities that make up our homes in Australia. Our Home is full of onomatopoeia to describe the sounds that homes make. Suburban homes whizz, beach homes sigh and farms rustle. Children aged 3 and over will love to join in with this noisy story that fosters belonging, identity and a sense of place.' (Publication summary)

'When a family heads to the beach with their dogs an adventurous summer day unfolds. A lost kite, riding the waves, sandcastles, ice-cream, hiding from their parents and a thunderstorm!

'A rollicking, rhyming adventure story to read aloud and share with the whole family. Run Pups Run celebrates the simple joys of childhood and the bond between children and their dogs.' (Publication summary)

'A young Aboriginal boy’s dream of shearing sheep turns into reality. Then war breaks out in Europe. Despite initially not being able to enlist, he and his two best friends eventually sign up and their lives are changed forever.'(Publication summary)

'A young boy notices a line of ants marching in, right into the house. His mum says they spell rain but she doesn’t want to get his hopes up...

'A charming and linguistically playful story about a boy’s first experience of The Bill Dup — a heady build-up to rain after a long period of drought.' (Publication summary)

Caroline is the true story of Caroline Chisholm. All who went before her did their part in helping shape Australia into a confident, progressive and vibrant society. But when Caroline arrived in Australia, she thrived on the challenges facing her to help the many orphans, migrants and destitute girls she found living on the streets of Sydney.

'Mark Wilson’s book gives the reader an insight into her life of service which was evident from when she was a young girl. He traces her life from childhood through to adulthood, retelling her story for young readers' (Publication summary)

Knock Knock, Toc Toc, Klopf Klopf

'Knock on some doors around the world.

'Who will you meet?

'What will you do?

'With vibrant illustrations and fun knocking sounds, this is a joyous celebration of children, culture and language around the world.' (Publication summary)

When the sun rises over the sea, the sky is a canvas of possibilities for a father and daughter. Cloudspotting is a joyful celebration of love, lunch and the imagination.

'Join a father and daughter as they share a special time catching crabs but also treasuring being on the water and appreciating what is around them.' (Publication summary)

'A collection of Shaun Tan’s artwork from the past 25 years.

'The drawings and paintings in the book come from his'work in picture books and other works including films and graphic novels. Others were created for no specific purpose beyond the desire to see what something looks like, or just to follow a sketched line to see where it goes. Many works are previously unpublished. As the title suggests the collection and accompanying essays by Shaun explore his use of non-human creatures as a motif throughout his artwork. (Publication summary)

'Nan and me beside the sea. Is it time? Soon.

'A grandmother and child eagerly await some special visitors.

'However, it soon becomes rescue time when some lost baby turtles are in danger. Everyone is needed to save the day. Will they save the babies in time?

'The wonder of welcoming nesting turtles ashore comes beautifully to life in this gentle story of family, community and caring for the environment.' (Publication summary)

There was a boy who loved making things with boxes.

'Limited by the space in his backyard and a few cardboard boxes, ‘Ship Ahoy Box Boy’ shows what’s possible with some clever ingenuity and an unlimited imagination.

'Ship Ahoy! Box Boy is the latest book from Mal Webster and follows on from his successful book Box Boy. Influenced by recent lockdowns and home-schooling Mal was inspired to celebrate imagination and creative play within a home environment, showing that with a little inventiveness a world of adventure awaits.' (Publication summary)

'High in the mountains through the sleepy clouds.

Deep in the forest past the chiming birds.

Will we see the lyrebird? I don't know. Tip-toe, tip-toe.

'The beauty of the Australian rainforest and the magic of family-time come together in this lyrical and delightful story of intergenerational connection, habitat and adventure.'  (Publication summary)

'My Aussie Plants and Animals is a great introduction to the alphabet using much loved Australian flora and fauna. Each letter introduces the young readers to a different Australian animal and plant whilst also reinforcing their recognition of the alphabet.'  (Publication summary)

'As the seasons shift, the world around us changes.
Cicadas drone and clouds rumble.
Fruit bats squabble and snails ooze.
Leaves drift and bees bustle.

'Secrets of the seasons explores the magic of a childhood spent in the Australian bush, uncovering all our beautiful and diverse land has to offer.'  (Publication summary)