Nine-year-old city newspaper seller Roddy becomes involved in the infamous Battle of Brisbane in 1942: when American and Australian servicemen fought against each other, rioting in the streets of the city for two days.When Roddy helps an American serviceman who's been involved in the fighting, he never expects that the battle will become covered up - a wartime secret. Never to be reported in the newspapers he sells. Or that his actions will result in a new life for him after the war - all the way to the USA.A fast-moving historical novel for middle-grade readers by multi-award-winning author Pamela Rushby.
Lucy¿s mum is always busy, going to this meeting and that, leaving Lucy alone in their old house with one strict rule: NO MAGIC.Lucy doesn¿t mean to conjure the giant green slug. She only wanted a friendly kitten to keep her company.Now, with a talking spellbook and a grumpy cat called Thomas they must race to get rid of the slug before it eats the prized cabbage garden of the witch next door ¿ and before her mum gets home.A lively, entertaining story for young readers.
'A compelling, prescient tale of an alternate world with far too many scary similarities to our own.' Angela Clarke Let me repeat myself, so we can be very clear. Women are not the enemy. We must protect them from themselves, just as much as we must protect ourselves. Imagine a world in which witchcraft is real. In which mothers hand down power to their daughters, power that is used harmlessly and peacefully. Then imagine that the US President is a populist demagogue who decides that all witches must be imprisoned for their own safety, as well as the safety of those around them - creating a world in which to be female is one step away from being criminal... As witches across the world are rounded up, one young woman discovers a power she did not know she had. It's a dangerous force and it puts her top of the list in a global witch hunt. But she - and the women around her - won't give in easily. Not while all of women's power is under threat. The Coven is a dazzling global thriller that pays homage to the power and potential of women everywhere. * 'A gripping and vividly drawn dystopian fantasy about the power and potential of women which feels easier to enjoy now Trump has gone.' Heat 'Thought-provoking and powerful. A big, page-turning thriller.' Paula Daly 'A real thrill ride.' Debbie Moon 'Dark, dangerous & powerful - I couldn't put it down' Michelle Kenney, author of The Book of Fire series 'Compelling, urgent and highly original as well as being a cracking read. I loved it.' Kate Hamer 'A barnstorming, breathless ride - The Handmaid's Tale by way of wicca and Witchfinder General. Thrillingly cinematic and compulsive reading.' Stephen Volk
The fabulous sequel to Lucy Newton, Little Witch (which was shortlisted for the 2019 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards), Lucy Newton: Cat Trouble features a brand-new, funny, magical adventure, illustrated with lively pictures.
Maxie, Fergie, Flash and Lady are good friends who live in Mrs Brown's farm shed. Life isn't exciting, but they're happy. Until the day they learn that Mrs Brown wants to sell them--to the scrap yard! So they decide to run away: and suddenly life becomes very exciting for the four lovable machines in a series of madcap adventures that will change everything.This is an exciting, funny chapter book, with warm and interesting characters who just happen to be machines! With lively, appealing illustrations by Cheryl Orsini, Four On the Run is a fresh and original adventure which is great both for reading aloud to pre-literate children and for young readers to read for themselves.
Meet a brave little girl called Masha who outwits a big bad bear with some tasty pies, and a beautiful but none too bright rooster, his long-suffering friends, and a cunning fox! Two Trickster Tales from Russia is the launch title for Christmas Press, a new Australian publisher specialising in beautiful picture books for children which feature traditional stories from many lands, retold by well-known authors and stunningly illustrated in a classic style. Two Trickster Tales from Russia includes the lively, funny Russian folktales, Masha and the Bear and The Rooster with the Golden Crest, retold in a fresh and engaging style by award-winning writer Sophie Masson, author of more than fifty books for children and young adults. It is the first book for new illustrator David Allan, and his gorgeous illustrations are inspired by classic Russian children's picture books. Suitable for a wide age range, Two Trickster Tales from Russia is a delight to read aloud to young children, as well as for older children to read on their own, and makes a wonderful gift for Christmas and any time of the year. About the author The award-winning and internationally-published author of more than 50 books for children, young adults and children, Sophie Masson was born in Indonesia of French expatriate parents and came to Australia as a school-age child, spending much of her childhood shuttling between France and Australia, in the process developing an intense love of writing and reading. Her delight in traditional stories, combined with a lifelong fascination with Russia, a country she has visited several times, has resulted in several books with a Russian theme, including two novels, The Firebird (Hachette 2001) and Scarlet in the Snow(Random House Australia 2013), and her first picture book, Two Trickster Tales from Russia, which is the realisation of a long-held dream.Sophie says: The stories in Two Trickster Tales from Russia, Masha and the Bear and The Rooster with the Golden Crest are two folk tales that are well-loved in Russia, but not so well-known outside it. I chose them because the two of them embody a lively sense of fun--it's great to see the small and apparently powerless outwitting big brutes or cunning schemers! There's also a strong feel of the woods, which are so much a part of Russian life and culture. And there's a great rhythm to the stories which I've added to by having little verses here and there. About the illustrator: David Allan completed a Diploma in Fine Art and has been part of several Fine Art exhibitions of Landscapes and Portraits in Oils. He's worked in bookshops and as a graphic designer and web designer, but always dreamed of becoming an illustrator. Influences in his work include classic illustration masters such as Arthur Rackham and Russian illustrator Ivan Bilibin (especially for Two Trickster Tales), along with Art Nouveau artist Alphonse Mucha and more recent illustrators such as Alan Lee and William Stout. Two Trickster Tales from Russia is his first book. He is currently working on another title for Christmas Press.David says: For the artwork I used pen and watercolour on paper. The style for this book is pretty much an extension of what I normally do. Prior to starting the project, Sophie introduced me to the work of the great Russian Illustrator Ivan Bilibin whose work I had somehow missed before and now love. His use of a clean line and areas of flat colour style has been a huge influence on the look of the illustrations I produced for Two Trickster Tales from Russia. About the designer:Fiona McDonald: A graduate of the Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney, Fiona McDonald has worked as a graphic designer, doll-maker, cloth sculptor and artist. She is also the author of several books of non-fiction, including the best-selling The Popular History of Graffiti(Skyhorse Publishing 2013), as well as an illustrated novel f
Mother's Day is coming up and the Baby-sitters have the same problem they do every year: What do they get their mothers? Kristy, especially, wants to do something nice for her mom. Mrs. Brewer has been acting kind of strange and secretive lately, and Kristy's worried about her...But then Kristy gets another one of her great ideas. Why don't the Baby-sitters treat their moms - and the mothers of the kids they sit for - to a day off without any kids around? The BSC plans a gigantic baby-sitting party. It's a Mother's Day surprise that couldn't be beat!... Until Kristy's mom reveals a very special surprise of her own.
Princess Hayley has everything a princess could want: except a comet. It's her only birthday wish. Comets are so sparkly and they shoot through the sky so fast :who wouldn't want one? But then Hayley realises the only way she's going to get her wish is to catch a comet for herself. Joined by the very best friends a princess could have, Hayley aims to build the biggest and best --the only-- comet-catcher in the world and make sure her birthday dream comes true!A magical, funny story for young readers by a talented new author.
Receiving a desperate call from the Mancusi family, Jessi takes on an unusual sitting job caring for three dogs, five cats, two birds, a cage of hamsters, guinea pigs, fish, a snake, rabbits, and turtles.
