Andrea Rowe and Lisa Coutts come together to create a story about community and kindness, legacy and conservation. Audrey Skips is a tribute to The Skipping Girl, Melbourne's first neon sign and a timeless treasured landmark.
]]>Lisa Coutts is an illustrator based in Naarm, Melbourne, Australia. Her work has features in over 20 of varying genres, and her greatest love is picture books. Lisa loves creating charming characters and placing them in quirky and whimsical worlds. She is the illustrator of The Great Book Swapping Machine by Emma Allen and she designed the cover art on Tim Winton's Blueback, with more books in production. Lisa's art practice incorporates mixed media techniques including coloured pencil, dry pastel, acrylic and watercolour paints, and Procreate. Her work has been described as charming, delicious, quirky, whimsical and that it hurts people's hearts in a GOOD way! When not in her studio, you'll find Lisa riding her bike along river and creek trails for story inspiration, pausing to pat any cat she spies, or hunting for vintage Australian snow domes to add to her vast collection.
]]>Milo lies in the grass watching cottony cumulus clouds transform into animals. Maya looks out a plane window and marvels at the sky outside and the shapes countries make below. Through their different perspectives, Milo and Maya remind us that there are countless ways to experience the world.
The World from Here explores the fascinating areas of nephology (the study of clouds), meteorology and geography. These sciences help us understand our world and the wonders that make living here on Earth so rewarding.
Reading level varies from child to child, but we recommend this book for ages 5 to 9.
]]>Mel Armstrong is an illustrator from New Zealand. She blends digital and traditional techniques to create charming children's books, drawing inspiration from nature and her lively home life.
]]>Brooke loves watching the turtles in the creek on her farm. But in spring, she notices broken eggshells down near the water. What is happening to the turtle eggs?
Brooke decides to use her detective skills and sets out to solve the mystery of the missing turtles!
Reading level varies from child to child, but we recommend this book for ages 5 to 9.
]]>Dr James O'Hanlon is an award-winning science communicator, author and illustrator. Whether through art, science or storytelling, James works to illuminate the beauty and complexity of creatures that are often overlooked.
]]>Along the way, Sid encounters other strange creatures until he eventually discovers...that sometimes the joy of exploration is more about the unexpected journey, and not the ending.
Look closely and you might just find a colossal squid too!
Reading level varies from child to child, but we recommend this book for ages 5 to 9.
]]>Ayaiga had been arrested for stealing from one of the vast cattle stations established on traditional Alawa Country. The heavyweight boxing champion of the Australian Police, Constable William Francis Johns, was bringing him in to Leichhardt's Bar Police Station the constable on horseback, with Ayaiga, manacled by the neck, attempting to keep up on foot. Johns foolishly attempted to cross a flooded creek and was knocked unconscious when his panicked horse kicked him in the head. Ayaiga, burdened by his heavy chain, heroically saved Johns from drowning and remained by the constable's side as he recovered.
Ayaiga became one of only 8 Australian recipients and the only Indigenous recipient of the Albert Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life.
]]>Colin Hall is an Alawa man from the Roper River region. He works at the Ngukurr Language Centre supporting the delivery of Kriol language courses and is also working to revive the endangered Alawa language of his ancestors. He assisted Higgs in the writing of Ayaiga's story through the inclusion of many Alawa and Kriol words.
Wally Wilfred is a Wgilak man and artist living and working in the Roper River region, who works with the Ngukurr Art Centre. Wally brings together traditional techniques with bold and contemporary use of colour. Wally's work explores traditional and present-day culture with history and storytelling.
]]>So, the Dolphin Squad concoct a plan to get back on the same team, but is working with Eve really so bad?
Time to bake some delicious treats!
It's OPERATION TEAMWORK!
]]>At an early age Heidi Cooper-Smith knew she wanted to write and illustrate picture books. But during a Visual Arts degree, she fell in love with Ceramics and spent the next 20 years covered in clay. Heidi rediscovered her passion for drawing in 2014 when she joined the online '52-week illustration challenge'. Six months later she was offered her first illustration contract with Koala Books for Two Birds on a Wire. This wonderful experience inspired her to start writing, and in 2015 and 2016 she won the CYA illustrated manuscript competition. Kate and the Thing is Heidi's first book as both author and illustrator. She was also the illustrator of The Other Brother.
]]>It's OPERATION INVITATION!
Amanda tries everything to make Eve like her and get an invitation to the party, until she finally learns it's more important to be kind, not for what you can get but because of who you are. The first in a lovely early reader series about how to rise up to the challenges that being a kid throws at you, while cultivating some great relationships along the way.
]]>At an early age Heidi Cooper-Smith knew she wanted to write and illustrate picture books. But during a Visual Arts degree, she fell in love with Ceramics and spent the next 20 years covered in clay. Heidi rediscovered her passion for drawing in 2014 when she joined the online '52-week illustration challenge'. Six months later she was offered her first illustration contract with Koala Books for Two Birds on a Wire. This wonderful experience inspired her to start writing, and in 2015 and 2016 she won the CYA illustrated manuscript competition. Kate and the Thing is Heidi's first book as both author and illustrator. She was also the illustrator of The Other Brother.
]]>A fun-filled junior fiction book that continues to follow Amanda, Mai and Lu as they live through their school days together. Whenever there's a problem, the three work together to find a solution and help each other out. Showing the value of friendship and the merits of communication, problem-solving and teamwork, Amanda Commander is perfect for young kids making their way through primary school, giving some ideas on how to connect with those around them.
]]>At an early age Heidi Cooper-Smith knew she wanted to write and illustrate picture books. But during a Visual Arts degree, she fell in love with Ceramics and spent the next 20 years covered in clay. Heidi rediscovered her passion for drawing in 2014 when she joined the online '52-week illustration challenge'. Six months later she was offered her first illustration contract with Koala Books for Two Birds on a Wire. This wonderful experience inspired her to start writing, and in 2015 and 2016 she won the CYA illustrated manuscript competition. Kate and the Thing is Heidi's first book as both author and illustrator. She was also the illustrator of The Other Brother.
]]>Even though Amanda wants to stand out, she learns encouraging others and standing by your friends is more important.
In their mission to get get Eve to wear a different coloured dress, the Dolphin Squad find that there might be something amazing to be had out of wearing the same dress...
]]>At an early age Heidi Cooper-Smith knew she wanted to write and illustrate picture books. But during a Visual Arts degree, she fell in love with Ceramics and spent the next 20 years covered in clay. Heidi rediscovered her passion for drawing in 2014 when she joined the online '52-week illustration challenge'. Six months later she was offered her first illustration contract with Koala Books for Two Birds on a Wire. This wonderful experience inspired her to start writing, and in 2015 and 2016 she won the CYA illustrated manuscript competition. Kate and the Thing is Heidi's first book as both author and illustrator. She was also the illustrator of The Other Brother.
]]>It's OPERATION WELCOME BACK!
Amanda finds fitting in with her friends tricky after having a sick day. Can she make sure no one else feels the same?
A heart-warming story about friendship and community.
AMANDA COMMANDER:THE BLUES-DAY TUESDAY is the fourth book in a Junior Fiction series promoting kindness, loyalty and friendship.
'Using all the textual devices that support those making the transition to novels, this is a series that will be a sound stepping stone.' Barbara Braxton, The Bottom Shelf
]]>At an early age Heidi Cooper-Smith knew she wanted to write and illustrate picture books. But during a Visual Arts degree, she fell in love with Ceramics and spent the next 20 years covered in clay. Heidi rediscovered her passion for drawing in 2014 when she joined the online '52-week illustration challenge'. Six months later she was offered her first illustration contract with Koala Books for Two Birds on a Wire. This wonderful experience inspired her to start writing, and in 2015 and 2016 she won the CYA illustrated manuscript competition. Kate and the Thing is Heidi's first book as both author and illustrator. She was also the illustrator of The Other Brother.
]]>Will Amanda and the Dolphin Squad be able to help Rosie and ultimately save the show?
It's OPERATION SCHOOL PRODUCTION!
Combatting nastiness with forgiveness. Amanda learns jealousy can make people do nasty things, but forgiveness always wins.
]]>At an early age Heidi Cooper-Smith knew she wanted to write and illustrate picture books. But during a Visual Arts degree, she fell in love with Ceramics and spent the next 20 years covered in clay. Heidi rediscovered her passion for drawing in 2014 when she joined the online '52-week illustration challenge'. Six months later she was offered her first illustration contract with Koala Books for Two Birds on a Wire. This wonderful experience inspired her to start writing, and in 2015 and 2016 she won the CYA illustrated manuscript competition. Kate and the Thing is Heidi's first book as both author and illustrator. She was also the illustrator of The Other Brother.
]]>To his surprise, Hayden finds that he enjoys singing and talking to the other students in the singing class. Will he make a friend?
But two bullies threaten to livestream his singing if he performs at the end-of-year recital. Is it social suicide or the best thing ever? Will Hayden learn to be comfortable in his own skin?
]]>Just before she turned twenty-one, she signed a multi-book international publishing contract with Permuted Press, an offshoot of Simon and Schuster. Yvette had four books published by age twenty-two, and she became a Sir Julius Vogel Award finalist. Her first fantasy fiction series was called The Fledgling Account and comprises eight books and four short stories.
Besides writing, her other interests include music. Yvette is a singing and piano teacher with over ten years' experience and has put numerous students through music exams with a one hundred percent success rate. Her students have starred in musicals such as Evita, Les Miserables, Annie, Half a Sixpence, Fame and more. She has vocal coached the leads and main choruses of several musicals at the school she now works at, Chinchilla Christian College.
Yvette lives in a small regional town in Australia with her family. They have had numerous adventures together, including a roadside birth. Yvette spends her spare time making music, drinking coffee and kayaking to secluded spots.
]]>Blue's fleet roam the ocean, gliding on the currents, and dancing their way through dangerous adventures.
Join Blue and his fellow dragons as they explore the sea!
]]>Tamlyn Teow is an artist, illustrator and props designer. In 2013, she left a corporate career to learn how stories are told through art. Tamlyn's passion is to create works that give hope in challenging times, spark curiosity and bring individuals together by opening their eyes to truth and meaning. Tamlyn has worked in the art department for various productions, including Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Peter Rabbit 2, Shang-Chi (Marvel Studios) and North Shore. She has illustrated a number of picture books, designs book covers and illustrates chapter books.
]]>A. A. Milne's bestselling classic,Winnie the Pooh, has enchanted readers of all ages for nearly one hundred years with its relatable, heartwarming adventures that follow the famously friendly and lovable teddy bear.
Now We Are Six is the original 1927 classic collection of poems by A. A. Milne, eleven of which feature everyone's favourite characters from the hundred-acre wood. This stunning edition includesall of the original illustrations fully colourised by Diego Jourdan Pereira, which bring new life to these time-honored and beloved verses.
With playful rhymes and light-hearted humour, this beautiful book is great for bedtime or any time, and is the perfect addition to any bookshelf for readers both young and old.
]]>E. H. Shepard was a prolific English artist and book illustrator, most well known for his work in Winnie the Pooh and Aesop's Fables.
]]>Bear loves to dance, he practises all day long. But one thing bothers Bear he's always dancing by himself and some dances are better with two... Will he ever find a perfect dance partner?
With warmth and humour, this delightful picture book explores the importance of connection and friendship.
]]>Wolf lived on a plinth in a tired old square on the edge of a vast and magnificent city. Taken for granted and pooped on by Pigeon, she longs to be admired and to find her place amongst the famous statues in the City Centre. One day she sets off on the bus to do just that, but she discovers that the city statues are mean and selfish.
Wolf soon realises that she misses home, and heads back to her old square only to find that her friends there have missed her just as much.
With warmth and humour, this delight of a debut picture book by author and illustrator Rachel Tilda Wolf explores the need to be appreciated and the importance of finding 'home'.
]]>Once there was a very fine clock named Ticky, who lived with Professor Horace John Morris and kept perfect time. Each night, at fourteen minutes past ten, his time was used to set the rest of the clocks in the house. When the professor's friends suggest that Ticky be made a professor, too, he explains what really happens during the quiet hours of the day when the professor is out, when all the rooms have been cleaned and dusted, and the clocks talk to one another and tell the stories of their lives.
No artist is better suited to capture Ticky's quiet stateliness and grace than Edward Gorey, who brings this tale masterfully to life through his characteristic pen and ink drawings. Full of wit, wisdom, and affairs of the heart, The Very Fine Clock is a very fine picture book.
]]>Edward Gorey (19252000) was born in Chicago. In 1953 Gorey published The Unstrung Harp, the first of his more than one hundred books. In addition to illustrating his own stories, Gorey provided drawings for many books for both children and adults. Of these, New York Review Books has published The Haunted Looking Glass, a collection of Gorey's favorite ghost stories; The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells; Men and Gods by Rex Warner; The Unrest-Cure and Other Stories by Saki; and Three Ladies Beside the Sea by Rhoda Levine. He cowrote the NYRB Kids book Fletcher and Zenobia with Victoria Chess.
]]>In three creepy sections, Japanese Urban Legends visits urban and rural legend sites, spooky schools and haunted homes - sure to keep you flipping the full-color pages for more!
]]>
These timeless tales introduce young readers to brave animals, clever tricksters, magical brushes, and heartwarming lessons; the stories include:
Perfect for reading aloud or independent reading, this beautifully illustrated collection sparks imagination and opens doors to cultures across Asia.
]]>Soup's on. A tasty treat.
Fill your bowl up. Time to eat!
Through vibrant illustrations and heartwarming text, Soup's On Around the World invites readers on a flavorful journey of soups across the globe, each with its own unique history and traditions!
Every soup tells its own story, revealing fascinating stories such as:
Bright, detailed pictures by acclaimed artist Chelsea O'Byrne brings to life Denyse Waissbluth's joyous celebration of soup. With sidebars full of delicious facts, this second title in the Taste the World series is a celebration of diversity and deliciousness exploring a beloved food soup! and all the tasty ways we can enjoy a bowl (or two!).
The second book in the Taste the World series.
Discover the world through food in this vibrant picture book series that celebrates culture and diversity. Taste the World takes young readers on a delicious journey, introducing them to different traditions, cultures and countries, and the unique dishes that bring communities together. With rich illustrations and poetic stories, this series inspires curiosity, appreciation for global cultures, and the joy of sharing a meal.
]]>Chelsea O'Byrne is an artist and teacher living and working in Vancouver, BC. She is the acclaimed illustrator of four books, including Hello, Crow! by Candace Savage (Greystone Kids, 2019), and Teatime Around the World, both published by Greystone Kids (Greystone Kids, 2020). One of Chelsea's favorite things to eat in her studio is a nice big bowl of home-cooked soup... but she is very careful not to spill any on her drawings!
]]>A celebration of diversity and deliciousness, Teatime Around the World reveals all the wonderful ways we can enjoy a cup of teaor two!
Let's go on an adventure to discover new cultures and friends through tea! In this fun and lyrical picture book for ages 4-8, kids will learn how tea is enjoyed in Thailand, Japan, Russia, Egypt, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Uruguay, South Sudan, India, and more countries!
Did you know that po cha, the traditional tea in Tibet, is thick and salty like soup? Or that in Iran, tea is served with a rock? (A rock candy, that is!) Or that afternoon tea was dreamed up in England by a duchess who complained of being hungry between lunch and dinner?
With vivid poetry, vibrant illustrations, and unique facts about different tea cultures, Teatime Around the World tells the delightful story of a beloved beverage.
]]>Little explorers, get ready for an out-of-this-world adventure! This fun and exciting board book is your ticket to discovering the amazing wonders of outer space. From our Sun to the very edges of the Solar System, you'll take a fun-filled tour and learn fascinating facts along the way. Young readers will learn unique details about each planet and even get a sneak peek at the technology that helps us explore the cosmos. Did you know you can even spot some of these amazing cosmic bodies with just your eyes or a telescope? Get ready to gaze at millions of twinkling stars and faraway galaxies in this first journey into the vastness of space! Get ready for liftoff!
For over 75 years, Albatros Media has been crafting original and innovative children's books that are both playful and educational, fostering curiosity and a thirst for knowledge in young minds. We deliver the highest quality children's books from novelty, picture, pop-up, and how-to books, to non-fiction, and fairy tale books.
]]>Tomas Tumais a Czech freelance illustrator, photographer, and programmer. He has authored many educational adventure books for children, where he popularizes modern technologies. He studied English and Art Education and enjoys walking in the woods. He currently resides in the Czech Republic.
]]>Silver is the youngest mouse in a big mouse family. He'd love to have a quiet spot all to himself to do what he likes best: absolutely nothing! But it is almost impossible in his burrow. His noisy siblings are playing ball, dancing, and listening to music. His parents are busy cooking, building gadgets, and reading books.
What should Silver do? He tries to find refuge in the burrows belonging to his forest friends, but finding a place all to himself is harder than he thought. There isn't a single spot in the burrow that's quiet enough for him to do nothing at all...
Join Silver along his journey to find a safe hideaway just for him! Filled with stunning illustrations, A Place Just For Me is a charming reminder of honouring our own spaces and finding a quiet spot to think in our busy world.
]]>Melinda Berti lives and works in Florence. She loves to explore and create and tries to bring a bit of her world into everything she draws. Winner of the 2024 Sossi Prize, she works for Italy and abroad.
]]>Whether it is running, swimming, swinging or just cuddling up and falling asleep, each spread in Hello Little Ones highlights some of the activities that young humans and animals have in common. Pairing simple text with whimsical illustration these comparisons are full of amusing details that readers will enjoy pointing out at story time.
Engaging, fun, and silly, Amandine Piu's irresistible art makes this new board book a great gift for very young readers and a wonderful addition to any preschool library.
]]>Writer and musician Alicia Jo Rabins makes her picture book debut with this biography of Leonard Cohen and the creation of his masterpiece 'Hallelujah' through continued persistence, belief, and dedication.
Leonard Cohen was surrounded by music. His mother would sing folk songs in Yiddish and Russian. The synagogue where his grandfather was rabbi sounded like the gates of Heaven opening. And Leonard's heart turned the beauty of the world into music only he could hear.
But there was also sadness. How could life contain so much joy and also so much sorrow? Leonard wondered if there was a way to capture all those feelings at once.
He learned to play the guitar. He wrote songs. As a musician, people would come to see him perform. But there was still something missing. A song, hidden inside of him. One that he believed in, even when he struggled to write it or when others didn't understand it. And now, 'Hallelujah' lives in all our hearts.
An author's note asks readers to consider what their Hallelujah is, and encourages them to share their talents and joys with the world.
]]>Gene Pendon is the artist behind the mural Tower of Songs, Hommage Leonard Cohen, in Montreal. Hel has a Bachelors degree in Fine-Arts (drawing and painting) from Concordia University. In 1998, he co-founded Heavyweight Production House (HVW8), now based in Montreal and in Los Angeles. He also co-creates the Heavyweight Art Installation, an international project that partners live painting to music and to urban cultures. He lives in Montreal, Canada.
]]>Step into the mysterious world of Ghosts and Ghouls! Young readers will take a thrilling guided tour through a haunted forest, an eerie castle, and even... their very own bedroom as they meet a cast of creepy characters, from terrifying basilisks to light-footed nymphs, see-through spooks and rattling skeletons! Each page is a brand new, surprise-filled journey, whether you're racing bogeys in a cellar or joining a wild monster ball. With its fantastically detailed illustrations and a super fun, immersive story, Ghosts and Ghouls will have kids excitedly exploring the mysterious and spooky realms hiding just around the corner and maybe even under their beds!
For over 75 years, Albatros Media has been crafting original and innovative children's books that are both playful and educational, fostering curiosity and a thirst for knowledge in young minds. We deliver the highest quality children's books from novelty, picture, pop-up, and how-to books, to non-fiction, and fairy tale books.
]]>Martin Sojdr, a graduate in animated film from the Department of Art in Ostrava, has worked as a freelance graphic artist and illustrator for the past nine years. His work focuses mainly on folklore and ornamentation from other European countries, Russia and South America, as well as his native Moravian Slovakia. He is one half of the duo Puk-Puk, creators of graphic art, illustrations, T-shirt designs, paintings, VJing and installations. In addition to their graphic design and illustration work, they co-organise club parties under the name Bassta Fidli.
]]>Crack open your sketchbook, grab your pens and pencils, and get ready to turn your thoughts of the most epic dinosaurs ever into beautiful and scientifically accurate drawings. In easy-to-follow, step-by-step detail, Drawing Dinosaurs teaches you all the tricks and techniques you'll need to create 19 of your own amazing dinosaurs, including tips on:
This book also features detailed fun facts about each dinosaur, including what time period they lived in, where they were located, and their most distinguishing features, so you can be fully immersed in this prehistoric world. As you begin drawing all your favourite prehistoric creatures, remember you have the freedom to let your imagination run wild or strive to make something as close to what current science has to offer; the choice is yours!
]]>His work will also be featured in an upcoming documentary Why Dinosaurs? Inspired by the likes of James Gurney, John Bell, and John Gurche, his focus on the prehistoric has continued to imbue his love of ancient life into his work to create hundreds of both scientifically accurate and sci-fi pieces that celebrate some of the many life forms that have inhabited the earth.
]]>The American Civil War is raging, and General Lee's Confederate Army has invaded Pennsylvania. Canons roar. Bullets whiz. Swords and bayonets clash. Can you help win the battle? And will this at long last be the battle that turns the tide of the war? You decide in Decide & Survive: The Battle of Gettysburg!
About the Decide & Survive series: Dear Reader, this is your story. Your Call to Adventure! You control how history happens through the choices you make. Don't read this book from the first page to the last. Instead, follow the directions at the bottom of each page. When you're offered options, choose wisely because your decision could end in disaster as easily as triumph. At the end? Start over and create a different story with a new outcome! Adventure, mystery, danger, and fortune await. Good luck!
]]>Violet Costantino knows she is already on thin ice this school year: her scholarship has taken a significant hit due to her panic attack during her final performance in acting class last semester which simultaneously shattered her dreams of becoming a leading lady. This year, she is determined to keep her head down and just get through unscathed. But the school seems to have other plans for Violet: to her extreme foreboding, she is cast as one of the leads in the annual Halloween play. What's worse, the beautiful, infuriatingly talented Frankie Lin and Violet's ex-crush, Hunter Kinsey, are both cast as her love interests. Despite her initial reluctance, Violet is drawn in by the glamour of the Dark Cove Theatre Society, and she cautiously starts believing that maybe she is cut out for this after all. But lurking in the shadows of Violet's fragile self-confidence is the rumor of the Society curse, which is said to cause one cast member to drop out before opening night every year, mysteriously and without reason.
In this captivating YA debut, The Dark Cove Theatre Society illustrates both the intoxicating and insidious nature of success and the price we are often forced to pay for it. Passages of found text glimpses of the school's handbook, secret letters, and other peeks into life at the Academy seamlessly woven into the plot will immerse readers even further into the lush, magnetic world of Dark Cove.
]]>Her latest novel with Hashtag Press, It All Started With A Lie, became an instant hit following a successful debut at YALC 2023, and the second edition release of We Know What You Did (November 2024) was a resounding hit at YALC 2024. Denise has had short stories published in various online magazines and anthologies and was also longlisted for the 2019 Mslexia Children's Novel Competition. In 2019 she was longlisted for the Bath Novel Award.
Born in East London, Denise has now settled in Scotland where she feels certain she must have lived in a previous life. She loves dogs and snow globes and has a teensy obsession with Jack Skellington.
]]>Since our inception in 2020, Mint Editions has kept sustainability and innovation at the forefront of our mission. Each and every Mint Edition title gets a fresh, professionally typeset manuscript and a dazzling new cover, all while maintaining the integrity of the original book.
With thousands of titles in our collection, we aim to spotlight diverse public domain works to help them find modern audiences. Mint Editions celebrates a breadth of literary works, curated from both canonical and overlooked classics from writers around the globe.
]]>Since our inception in 2020, Mint Editions has kept sustainability and innovation at the forefront of our mission. Each and every Mint Edition title gets a fresh, professionally typeset manuscript and a dazzling new cover, all while maintaining the integrity of the original book.
With thousands of titles in our collection, we aim to spotlight diverse public domain works to help them find modern audiences. Mint Editions celebrates a breadth of literary works, curated from both canonical and overlooked classics from writers around the globe.
]]>Since our inception in 2020, Mint Editions has kept sustainability and innovation at the forefront of our mission. Each and every Mint Edition title gets a fresh, professionally typeset manuscript and a dazzling new cover, all while maintaining the integrity of the original book.
With thousands of titles in our collection, we aim to spotlight diverse public domain works to help them find modern audiences. Mint Editions celebrates a breadth of literary works, curated from both canonical and overlooked classics from writers around the globe.
]]>Christmas is coming and Ayla wants a snowman just like in her book, but there is no snow to be found in her drought-stricken town, not even a drop of rain. Only bales of hay.
Ayla's Christmas Wish is inspired by the small, south-west Victorian town of Tarrington, which runs a hay bale design competition each year. This book compares European Christmas traditions with the reality of a hot, dry Australian summer. Behind the story of Ayla wishing for a snowman, there is a town wishing for rain.
This story celebrates a community at Christmas-time, and highlights the importance and beauty of small-town resilience.
]]>Lucia Masciullo is an award-winning children's book illustrator born and bred in Livorno, Italy. She moved to Australia in 2007 and she now lives and works on the beautiful Gold Coast. Her last book with the National Library of Australia was The Imagineer.
]]>Little Brother is told by his brother and his friends that he's too small to help out at the Spring Festival. He's too little to fly a kite and he's not strong enough to hold a dragon pole. But Father says he has a special job to do. What can it be?
He knows it's not hanging the lanterns up, as Father has already done that. He knows it's not choosing the treats from the hawker as Father has already chosen a duck. He knows it's not serving tea or lighting fire crackers as he did those jobs last year.
Follow Little Brother through the village to find out what his special job is.
Christopher Cheng's story and Di Wu's paintings recreate the magic of celebrating New Year in snowy rural northern China. Di's stunning artwork reflects Chinese traditional techniques, using rice paper, Chinese brushes and the colours of traditional paintings.
At the back of the book, read about some of the different festivals held in China and about the rural setting of the book. Images from the National Library of Australia's collection illustrate this section.
]]>Born in China, Di Wu was an editor and illustrator in one of the biggest Chinese fine arts publishing companies before coming to Australia. He won awards for the books he published in China, and his first Australian picture book, Rebel (with Allan Baillie), was short-listed for the Children's Book Council Picture Book of the Year. He has since released Ali Baba, Old Magic (with Allan Baillie) and Grandpa's Mask, with text by Jing Jing Guo. More recently, Di Wu collaborated with NLA Publishing author Jane Jolly to create Star of Anise.
]]>Yiasou! That's hello in Greek!
Or would you like to speak Chinese? What about Italian or Korean? Murinhpatha or Kaurna?
Meet 12 Australian friends who can speak different languages. They tell us how to count from 1 to 10, say hello and goodbye and lots of other words in their languages about play, food, hobbies and clothes.
Once we've said hello, we can watch Emiko playing the Japanese drum and Pilinh performing an Aboriginal dance. We can see how to make gnocchi with Sophia and flat bread with Amal.
This book is an introduction to 12 languages spoken most frequently in Australian homes, plus three Indigenous languages.The languages are: Chinese, Greek, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Kala Lagaw Ya, Kaurna, Korean, Lebanese Arabic, Murrinhpatha, Thai and Vietnamese.Illustrated in a cartoon style, the pictures add humour and fun to language learning. Each language and culture is introduced by a child character - and you might spot a koala or two ...
Selamat tinggal! That's goodbye in Indonesian!
]]>Children around Australia are taking charge. Come and join the revolution!
From the coast of Western Australia to Sydney's suburbs, young people are discovering nature in their neighbourhoods and setting up nesting boxes for birds, cleaning up waterways, planting to attract bees and koalas, and building insect hotels. They're learning about amazing native species and finding ways to protect them.
The Bee Squad inspires you to take part in these exciting adventures and projects that support threatened species by doing things like:
The best part is, you don't need to live near a national park or protected area to get involved you can make a difference from your balcony, backyard, local park or school.
'Here is a book that equips young people with solid advice, knowledge and fun activities to become champions of biodiversity and helpers to Mother Nature! At a time when climate anxiety is high and children can feel helpless, Friedlander leans into action and encouragement in a book that will send kids out into the wilderness with fresh perspective and appreciation for this world of ours.' Danielle Binks, award-winning author
'The Bee Squad is a must-have addition to your library of life. Everything you need to know to build a friendship, a relationship and the ultimate lifelong love affair with nature and all its beauty, and participants sharing the world with you and around you wherever you are.' Costa Georgiadis
'Sustainable Schools NSW encourages a comprehensive approach to sustainability, integrating it into campus life, curriculum and school culture, which is what The Bee Squad is able to do. The Bee Squad offers diverse opportunities for teachers, students and families to nurture nature and connect with Country, to 'bala ga lili', fostering a love for nature. I encourage all to join The Bee Squad to become Earthcarers, creating a B & B highway across Australia. By utilising Education for Sustainability principles, The Bee Squad promotes systems thinking and future-focused learning, empowering participants to become citizen scientists. A heartfelt thanks to Judy for advancing environmental education across Australia!' Sue Martin, Environmental Education NSW & Sustainable Schools NSW
'The joy of this book is that its wonders are so accessible. It will teach you to discover the magic of nature in your backyard. And the more you know, the more you will want to know, and life will never be boring again.' Rachel Ward, actress, director, screenwriter and regenerative farmer
'The Atlas of Living Australia specialises in open biodiversity data, of which a large component is from citizen science. The Bee Squad citizen science chapter is a fantastic introduction to junior scientists about citizen science and the different kinds of citizen science projects and data collection tools available. It's inspiring to read about what discoveries have already been made by students and how citizen science has enabled observations in nature to have real world impact.' Dr Andre Zerger, Director, Atlas of Living Australia
'This is a handbook for of every young nature enthusiast as it so very practical...It is a goldmine for teachers and parents, with plenty of illustrations, web resources for delving further and excellent teacher's notes (which are useful for any keen reader).' Mia Macrossan, StoryLinks
'This is one of the most inspirational children's books of the year. A fabulous book that will not only interest and inspire children but also equip them with really practical and engaging ideas to successfully lead their households and schools to become more sustainable.' Sarah Mayor Cox, ABC Radio Children's/YA book reviewer
]]>When she is outside in nature, Judy becomes the kid she was where a local creek, 'rock bridge', gum trees and ferns sheltered a wonderland of tadpoles, frogs, cicadas, birds and possums.
]]>Shortlisted, Australian Book Design Awards 2020, Best Designed Children's Non-Fiction Illustrated Book
Shortlisted, Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature 2022, Children's Literature Award
Age range 3+
Summer is here. Put your school shoes away,
The long, lazy days can begin.
Mangoes and magpies, municipal pools...
Take a deep breath and dive in.
The bestselling creators of Alphabetical Sydney and Numerical Street are back with their new picture book, Summer Time a stunning tribute to an Australian summer.
'Summer Time, Hilary Bell and Antonia Pesenti's third picture book collaboration, explores ideas of time within the grand nostalgic mythology of Australian summer...The rhyming verse is rich and evocative, making good use of both rhythm and imagery...Pesenti's pleasing collage-style illustrations complement Bell's linguistic portraits; a colour palette both bright and gentle evokes the harsh Australian light and the haze of memory.' -Books + Publishing
Teachers' Notes available here
]]>A child's day in the garden with their Gran and Pa leads to a wonderful exploration of pollination.
Join them in discovering how pollination happens in our gardens and backyards, and the importance it has for our environment. Meet the animals involved in pollination and the plants that depend on pollination to produce our fruit, vegetables and even our clothes!
Reading level varies from child to child, but we recommend this book for ages 5 to 9.
Teachers' notes available here
]]>Christopher Cheng adores writing, especially picture books. He has been shortlisted for the CBCA and NSW Premier's Literary awards, and won the Wilderness Society's Environment Award for Children's Literature. He is Co-Chair of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Advisory Council. Christopher is based in Sydney, NSW.
Danny Snell has been working as an illustrator for over 20 years. His picture books have won awards including the CBCA Eve Pownall Award, the Wilderness Society's Environment Award for Children's Literature and more. Danny is based in Adelaide, SA.
]]>The activities cover electricity and magnetism, sound and light, heat and motion, water and gases, living things, shapes and our planet Earth. Each activity has a simple list of materials required, and uses simple step-by-step instructions and drawings to enable you to create exciting and interesting reactions, experiments and inventions. Fast facts and quiz questions will help you test your knowledge, and you'll also find an explanation of the science behind each activity, along with examples of how each principle works in the real world.
Discover more about the world of science by making:
Discover the marvels of the natural world, from coral reefs and towering rainforests down to the incredible critters living in your own backyard!
With 80 animals to find, the lush landscapes featured in this book include over 200 exquisitely illustrated animals alongside a stunning array of plant life. Including fascinating facts about the biomes that cover this wondrous planet, this search-and-find is certified by museum experts.
You'll visit: the Daintree Rainforest, the Great Barrier Reef, the Gibson Desert, the grasslands of the Victorian Volcanic Plain, the mangroves of Darwin Harbour, Antarctica and the Grampians, along with a bonus look at the wonderful world of soil.
]]>**Shortlisted, ABIAs 2025, Small Publisher's Children's Book of the Year**
**Shortlisted, 2025 CBCA Book of the Year, Eve Pownall Award**
**Longlisted, ABDA Best Designed Children's Non-fiction Book 2025**
When it comes to flora, Australia is a land of diversity. From rainforests to deserts, mountains to the seashore, 90 per cent of our plant life is unique to this ancient land. Treasures like our wattles, eucalypts, grass trees and banksias are part of our heritage and identity and they still flourish here today, on the oldest landmass on Earth.
Flora celebrates and highlights these diverse and curious plants, looking into the history, quirks and uses of our native plants, and how vital they are for our unique ecosystems. Tania McCartney brings her trademark skill and style in both writing and illustration, using her substantial experience in children's literature to examine Australia's botanical riches to pick out engaging, informative and surprising facts to share with young readers.
The book includes spreads on the Gondwana Garden, Deadly Flora, Bush Food, Flora Ancestry and more. Meet the Tasmanian Mountain Ash, which is both the world's tallest flowering plant and the tallest hardwood tree, growing more than a metre each year...for up to 400 years! Share in a park ranger's discovery of a living Jurassic fossil deep in a secret sandstone canyon. Learn how to avoid the most painful plant on earth, the gympie gympie, whose fine little hairs inject a fiery venom that feels like acid and electrocution all at once!
The author introduces readers to hard science too, including information on plant classification, countless cool scientific facts and binomial names and scientific terms, with a handy glossary aimed at children at the back of the book.
]]>*Longlisted, 2020 World Illustration Awards*
*Longlisted, 2020 Australian Book Design Awards*
*Shortlisted, 2020 Wilderness Society Environment Award for Children's Literature*
*Shortlisted, 2020 Educational Publishing Awards*
Age range 5+
Did you know that platypus have retractable webbing on their hind feet to enable an easy transition from swimming to digging? That kangaroos can't sweat and that the cassowary has no tongue?
In Fauna - Australia's Most Curious Creatures, readers are constantly introduced to facts that delight, amaze and induce sheer wonder at the clever design and adaptability of our much-loved native fauna.
The information on each individual species is presented in small 'bites' to hold the interest of younger readers, while the information taken in total gives a comprehensive summary of each species, including breeding and feeding habits, physical characteristics, habitat and other unique and quirky features.
Fauna also has a strong conservation message with an 'extinction roll call' and a rating for the vulnerability of endangered species.
The stylised illustrations in Fauna are lively, colourful and informative, highlighting facts that lend themselves more to pictures than words e.g. the actual size of crocodile teeth, or the mechanics of the echidna's beak. There is also humour in the illustrations is that kangaroo with dark glasses actually from a different kind of mob?
Readers young and old will be delighted and informed by Fauna.
Teachers' notes available here
]]>Set against the backdrop of a family camping trip, Our Camping Trip: Physics, Chemistry, and Fun from the Everyday STEM series is a captivating exploration for young minds aged 6-9. Join Teresa, Cooper, and the Bright family as they reveal the wonders of STEM concepts in everyday life. From the physics behind trampoline jumps to the chemistry of dough rising in the oven, this story-based journey seamlessly weaves science into the fabric of holidays and celebrations. Through engaging content and real-world applications, the book not only supports STEM learning in the classroom but extends it beyond school hours, inviting children to discover the science in their surroundings. Packed with activities for kids to try at home, this book transforms theoretical concepts into hands-on adventures, making learning an exciting and immersive experience.
Our Camping Trip is more than a book; it's a key to unlocking the world of STEM for curious young minds. Designed to connect theoretical concepts to real-life scenarios, this book ensures that STEM becomes a part of everyday adventures, from cooking to traveling. The story-based exploration makes complex physics and chemistry concepts accessible, fostering a love for learning in an engaging and relatable way. Whether for classroom use or at-home exploration, this book is a valuable addition to any young reader's collection, promising an educational journey filled with curiosity and discovery.
]]>Lenka Chytilovawas drawn to books and writing from a young age. It was no surprise, then, when she got a degree in Czech Language and Literature and German Translation. She has always tried to connect books and reading, her greatest hobby, with her work; she worked part-time in a bookshop for many years and she also worked as an editor and proofreader. Lenka likes classic Czech fairytales, and she loves Veernek, the Czech television program for children's bedtime stories. She grew up in a village in East Moravia.
Xiana Teimoy is an illustrator from Vigo, in the far northwest of Spain. After graduating in fine arts with honors, she completed a master's in design and illustration. So far, she's worked mostly on children's books and kid's magazines. She loves illustrating stories for kids and reading children's books, wondering what the illustrator's own creative process was. She works from her lovely and cozy studio located in sunny Valencia, Spain, where she develops her work using digital media. She also teaches illustration at the University of Valencia.
]]>Learn to identify some of the world's most beautiful shells and meet the creatures who make them!
The Little Book of Shells, part of the Little Library of Natural History, introduces kids to the remarkable underwater world of mollusks, nautiluses, sand dollars, and the enchanting homes they leave behind. Gorgeous vintage artwork by some of the world's most enduring nature illustrators fill this beachcomber's handbook.
]]>Discover the incredible world of insects in one compact book! The Little Book of Insects, part of My Little Library of Natural History, introduces kids to dozens of earth's most fascinating creepy crawlies with details about their habitats, diets, lifespans, and more. Gorgeous vintage illustrations by some of the world's most enduring nature illustrators accompany each entry along with charts, maps, and other illuminating graphics.
]]>Perfect for STEM learning and outdoor education.
Have you ever wondered ....
In this highly visual, fun, and interactive book, kids will get to know all sorts of animals, from birds and caterpillars in their own backyard, to grizzly bears in chilly Alaska, to puffer fish in the waters of Australia.
Through a mix of activities, facts, stories, and pictures, kids will learn:
This wonderful introduction to the animal kingdom features playful questions, fun quizzes, and activities that will help kids study animals in their own backyards and make the world a better place for them.
'I absolutely love this book.' Jane Goodall
An excellent resource for parents, teachers, and curriculums ranging from outdoor education to homeschool and forest school.
Whether you are in the forest, in your own backyard, or in the city, there are so many exciting ways to engage with nature - and forester Peter Wohlleben has the best ideas for doing so. With Be A Nature Explorer!, kids will learn how to press flowers, harvest algae, skip stones, observe spiders, and even how to build their own tiny sailboat.
This ultimate kids' nature book features:
Packed with activities that will fill kids with wonder and confidence in the outdoors, readers will be dipping in and out of Be A Nature Explorer! all year round.
]]>Belle Wuthrich is an illustrator and designer, specializing in books for young readers. Based in Vancouver, Canada, Belle has contributed to more than a dozen books for kids, a number of which have won awards or been republished internationally.
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