WINNER: 2017 QLD Literary Awards, Children's Fiction It struck Henry that perhaps he was waiting for the exact right moment to be daring and brave. The exact right moment where he felt no worry at all, not one tiny flicker. But what if that moment never came? Henry Hoobler is a reluctant adventurer who is worried about his summer holiday camping at the beach: bugs, spiders, snakes, stingers, blue-ringed octopi or sharks. Worst of all, his family and friends are pushing him to ride his new silver bike - without training wheels. But when Henry meets Cassie, he discovers that courage is there to be found when you have a friend who is straight-up and true. A joyous, heart-warming story from the much-loved author of My Big Birkett.
IN MY FAMILY, when anyone rides the wave of their emotions, we say they're chucking a birkett. When the emotion drives out all common sense, we say they're chucking a big one. The telltale signs are: flaming cheeks, shortness of breath, bulging eyes, and a prolonged illogical outburst.Gemma Stone is convinced that it's always unseemly to chuck a birkett and that it's actually insane to chuck one in front of a complete stranger. But that was before she fell for a boy who barely knows she exists, before she auditioned for the school play, before she met the family of freaks her sister Debbie is marrying into, before the unpredictable Raven De Head took an interest in her, and before she realized that at the right time and for the right reason, a birkett could be a beautiful thing.
Wayne Harris has produced the most wonderful illustrations to accompany this perfect read aloud text. Gordon is a Gorilla who still carries around a comfort blanket. Ages 3-7.
Children's picture storybook about the adventures of unexpected friends, Bear and Chook. Bear is a dreamer while Chook just wants a quiet life, but with a best friend like Bear, he has no chance of getting it. Includes colour illustrations. Author has previously written 'What Rot!' and 'Sweetie May'. Illustrator's previous works include 'The Puzzle Duck' and 'Champions'.
Captain Widehide and Captain Leanbean love arguing - from dawn to dusk, day after day. the only thing they love more than arguing is treasure - lots of it! then one day they find more than they bargained for ... Sweetie May is back in this fabulous new edition!
In a follow up to the delightful BEAR AND CHOOK, the two lovable characters continue their adventures in BEAR AND CHOOK BY THE SEA. Bear and Chook are unexpected friends. Bear still likes adventure and Chook would still much rather have the quiet life! One day they decide to go and visit the sea. Chook is worried that they don t know the way and will get lost, but Bear is confident they will find it just around the pond, under the bridge, through the forest and over the mountain! A wonderfully warm read-aloud story about the dreamers in life and those who wish they d sometimes keep their feet more firmly on the ground. More info, teachers' guides and activity downloads available at www.bearandchook.com.au
The powerful novel from award-winning Australian writer Katrina Nannestad. Shortlisted in the 2021 CBCA Book of the Year Awards. Winner of the 2021 Australian Book Design Awards. Longlisted in the 2021 Australian Book Industry Awards. Sometimes it's good to be wild. Sometimes you have to be wild. When the Russian Army marches into East Prussia at the end of the war, the Wolf family must flee. Liesl, Otto and their baby sister Mia find themselves lost and alone, in a blizzard, in the middle of a war zone. Liesl has promised Mama that she will keep her brother and sister safe. But sometimes, to survive, you have to do bad things. Dangerous things. Wild things. Sometimes to survive, you must become a wolf. Bestselling author Katrina Nannestad returns with her most masterful novel yet -- a book to crack open your heart, a book to light you up inside, a book to love. AWARDS Winner - ABDA Best Designed Children's Fiction Book 2021 Winner - Book Links Award for Children's Historical Fiction 2021 Winner - ARA Historical Novel Prize 2021 (Children's and Young Adult Category) Winner - Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature 2022 (Children's Literature Award) Winner - Koala Awards 2022 (Fiction for Readers 7-9) Shortlisted - CBCA Book of the Year Award (Younger Readers) 2021 Shortlisted - Queensland Literary Awards 2021 (Children's Book Award) Shortlisted - Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature 2021 (Children's Literature Award) Shortlisted - West Australian Young Readers' Book Awards 2022 Longlisted - ABIA Book of the Year for Younger Children 2021 PRAISE FOR WE ARE WOLVES 'The children's physical and emotional journeys, inspired by real events, are poignantly depicted as they struggle against the elements, hunger, and foes and try to understand the nonsensical nature of war and the unimaginable things it forces people to do to survive. Heiduczek's hauntingly atmospheric art adds to the story's emotional impact. A lesser-known story beautifully and sensitively told.' - Kirkus, starred review 'A compelling mix of historical fiction, survival, and adventure, this title shines light on a little-known episode from history' -School Library Journal, starred review 'This is powerful storytelling that will touch the toughest of hearts. Liesl, Otto, and Mia will stay with me for a long time to come.' - Felice Arena, bestselling author of A Great Escape 'All the appeal, adventure and terror of classic war novels like Once and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, but with its own unique voice, humour and heart. We Are Wolves is a book for children and their adults to curl up and read together, and I feel as though it will be read and loved for many years to come.' - Tristan Bancks, bestselling author of Detention 'This is quite simply one of the most beautiful books I've read for a long time ... I feel so much better for having read it, uplifted in the truest sense, and I'm sure it will be a story that is read for many, many years to come.' - Karen Foxlee, award-winning author of Lenny's Book of Everything 'It's the small acts of human kindness that make this book sing. Heart-swelling, and with characters that won't be forgotten.' - Zana Fraillon, award-winning author of The Bone Sparrow 'A timely novel recognising the silent victims of war and the courage and resilience of children to find joy in dark times.' - Susanne Gervay OAM, bestselling author of I Am Jack 'In the tradition of wartime adventure stories, this is a heart-warming and engaging tale of endurance and survival. It's full of action and drama, but is also very moving and, ultimately, hopeful.' - Jane Godwin, bestselling author of As Happy as Here 'We Are Wolves drew me in from the very first page and held me close until the last. If a novel can be both gripping and gentle, then this is that - a page-turner that somehow also feels gloriously cosy and quiet ... Katrina Nannestad's powerfully beautiful novel makes history sing.' - Meg McKinlay, award-winning author of A Single Stone 'Told with honesty and insight, We Are Wolves is a sensitive portrayal of humanity at its best and at its worst. A story of displacement, loss, cruelty and deprivation, perfectly counterbalanced with hope, kindness, love and home. A timely reminder of the effects of war on today's children.' - Glenda Millard, award-winning author of The Stars at Oktober Bend 'the best children's book I've read in years ... The way Nannestad has fostered hope and even humour out of her Wolfskinders' struggle to survive is testament to her remarkable skill as a writer for the young. There are scenes here that lay bare the cruelty of the times, but they are deftly balanced with heartwarming kindness and the courage that all children would like to believe lives inside them as well.' - James Moloney, bestselling author of The Love That I Have 'a rare combination of heart-stopping suspense and lyrical warmth.' - Jaclyn Moriarty, award-winning author of The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone 'We Are Wolves is a wonderful and beautifully written story of hope, love, grief and courage. I couldn't put it down.' - Belinda Murrell, bestselling author of The Lost Sapphire 'An instant classic. We Are Wolves will stay with you for a lifetime.' - Favel Parrett, award-winning author of Past the Shallows 'Beautifully written, uplifting and heartbreaking. The Wolf children's story will stay with you forever.' - Judith Rossell, award-winning author of Withering-by-Sea 'an astonishing, thrilling rollercoaster of a novel, capturing both the horrific realities of war and the undimmed power of hope, grit and persevering love. Told through the eyes of the fiercely loyal Liesl Wolf, this is a story of consummate tenderness.' - Lisa Shanahan, award-winning author of The Grand, Genius Summer of Henry Hoobler 'This powerful and compelling novel is the perfect balance of light and dark: challenges are met with courage, desperation with resourcefulness, cruelty with kindness, and the result is both moving and inspiring.' - Frances Watts, award-winning author of The Peony Lantern 'Anyone aged 10 and up who enjoyed Lenny's Book of Everything and The Book Thief will find much to cherish here; I guarantee that the Wolf children will find a place in your heart.' - Books+Publishing
Two stars of Australian picture books join forces to create an irresistible and unlikely pet! Today is Pet Day in Lily's class. All the kids bring in their pets - hermit crabs, parrots, mice, puppies, ferrets and ducks - but Lily brings her dragon. Class smarty-pants Courtney says to Lily that dragons are only in fairy tales, so how could she have a dragon? However, when all the pets misbehave in the middle of the all-important pet parade, guess who (or what) saves the day? This gorgeous and funny story about finding your voice is the first collaboration between two of Australia's leading picture book creators, Lisa Shanahan and Gus Gordon. Praise for author and illustrator: 'a joy to read aloud' - Magpies on Lisa Shanahan and Emma Quay's BEAR AND CHOOK BY THE SEA 'Quirky, soulful and alive...a book to treasure,like a favourite song.' - Markus Zusak, author of The Book Thief on Gus Gordon's HERMAN AND ROSIE 'Clever, sweet and brilliant in every way' - The West Australian on Gus Gordon's HERMAN AND ROSIE 'If there is such a thing as a perfect Australian picture book, this might be it.' - Sydney's Child Magazine on Gus Gordon's HERMAN AND ROSIE
A rhyming picture book about the simple joys of daily life. Hello World follows a baby/toddler, who is woken up by the early morning sun and greets the world, and everything in it, with delight, as she is swept along by the rhythms of an ordinary day, right up until bedtime. It has a rhythmic, warm lullaby appeal and would work as a story to read to babies and toddlers, just before bed.
Daisy wants a puppy so much she wears a scruffy tail and sleeps in an old cane washing basket. When a fire engine screeches down the highway, she lifts her head, 'AROOOOO-OOOOOOOOOOH!' Then one Saturday, Daisy and her mum spot Ollie, sitting in the window of Mrs Arkwright's pet shop. . . A delightful story about a family and a puppy.
