The rivulet begins high on a mountain top. It twists and turns and turns and twists until it swirls around a bend and softens into a calm pool...
No-one knows but in that pool there is a secret.
From the award-winning author and illustrator behind Saving Seal and Chooks in Dinner Suits comes a meditative story about the elusive platypus, and the need to respect and nurture the environment it calls home.
]]>Diane is passionate about connecting children to the beauty of our incredible world and encouraging their awareness of its fragility.
Platypus Bend is the fourth title in Diane and Craig's environmental book partnership-three of them in collaboration with Museums Victoria.
Previous titles include Chooks in Dinner Suits, Windcatcher and Saving Seal: the plastic predicament. All three have received CBCA Notable awards, with Chooks in Dinner Suits also winning the Wilderness Society's Environment Award for Children's Literature in Picture Fiction in 2017, Saving Seal shortlisted for the same award in 2022, and Windcatcher winning a Whitley Award in 2020.
Craig Smith was raised in country South Australia, later training at the South Australian School of Art in Adelaide. In a forty year career he has illustrated many beloved and award-winning books for children.
Craig spends a great deal of time out in nature, whether he's tending his garden or venturing further afield to camp, bushwalk or ride his bike.
One compelling theme in front of Australians now is the need to pay attention to the environment. To learn more about it. To try and understand. To take responsibility for a patch of it. To be in it, enjoy it, and share it.
]]>Age range 6 to 9
Seal has made his home in the waters of a coastal village, but he often finds himself trapped and ensnared in the plastic rubbish filling the Bay. Fortunately, he is rescued by Lizzie and Grandpa Dave.
Lizzie and Grandpa Dave are motivated to do something about cleaning up their Bay and saving the marine life who are being threatened more and more by the rubbish found in the Bay and on their beaches. They encourage the towns people to join them in their fight against plastic pollution devastating their beaches and harming marine life.
This is a story about how we can make a change, about cooperation and making the right choices and making them now.
]]>In an almost 40-year career, Craig Smith has produced illustrations for more than 380 picture books for children. The humour and pathos are a recurring them in his work having lived as a child in the Australian landscape.
]]>**CBCA, Notable Award for Picture Book of the Year 2017**
**CBCA, Notable Award for Eve Pownell Information Book of the Year 2017**
Age range 3+
On a tiny island lives a waddle of Little Penguins. But their numbers are dwindling.
Swampy Marsh knows what to do, but no one will listen. Soon he can count the last few penguins on the fingers of one hand.
Finally the desperate townsfolk give Swampy, and his friends Max and Mimi, a chance.
Will they be able to save the Little Penguins of Middle Island?
A warmly funny account of one man's quest to save a penguin colony, with two very unusual helpers. This story is based on events that took place on Middle Island, Warrnambool and have become well known to the public. This true story, which features both human and animalheroes, has been written as a heartwarming tale by Diane Jackson Hill. Craig Smith's lively illustrations capture all the drama and humour of the predicament and the characters involved.
]]>This book presents the longest-flying paper airplane in the world the Zero Fighter created by Takuo Toda, who is a living legend in Japan. He also includes 19 other high-performance paper planes that are very easy to fold, and stay aloft for an amazingly long time!
The 20 tear-out planes in this book can be folded in minutes and each one is unique. They include:
Japanese paper airplane designer Takuo Toda is a living legend in Japan, having won every major competition and published over 30 books.
This book presents a collection of the very best long-distance paper airplanes, including the record-setting model that achieved a flight of 202 feet [61.82-meters]! These high-performance paper planes are all very easy to fold, and fly for incredibly long distances.
The 32 tear-out planes in this book can be folded in just minutes! Each plane has a unique design and flight characteristics. They include:
In museums, we're often told, 'look with your eyes' at the famous paintings adorning the walls. But what if a child could follow their impulse, reach out, and touch a masterpiece? In this thrilling, interactive book, kids of all ages can do just that! Going beyond the world of sight, readers will explore art like never before opening da Vinci's mysterious notebook, turning Mondrian's geometric wonder, lifting flaps, spinning wheels, peeling back translucent overlays, and much, much more! Come along on this 3-D journey and discover the secrets of the masters their techniques, tools, and inspirations and why these works of art are still studied, revered, and cherished to this day.
Featured artists include:
and many, many more!
]]>The Great Wall of China, Petra, The Colosseum, Chichen Itz, Machu Picchu, The Taj Mahal, and Christ the Redeemer were selected as the new seven wonders of the world by over 600 million people who participated in a vote between 2000 and 2007. But have you ever wondered how these monumental structures were built centuries ago without using the modern technologies and heavy machinery that is available today? This book will give you the answers you are looking for.
These buildings are a unique cross-section of world architecture and offer a unique opportunity to compare the approaches, but also cultures of the entire world and different historical periods. Come and travel with us across the world and time and peek behind the curtain of the creation of the architectural monuments that have helped shape the current world.
]]>Tom Velcovsky is a graduate in Audiovisual Production from the Silesian University in Opava, Czechia, where he specialised in screenwriting and storyboards. Before switching to children's books and the making of comic strips, he worked in advertising.
Jan Sramek is a visual artist, illustrator and teacher from the Czech Republic. His work has been presented at galleries and festivals all over the world, notably in London, New York, Amsterdam, Seoul, and Beijing. His illustrations for the book That's Metro, Man! were selected for a prestigious exhibition at the Bologna Children's Book Fair in 2020.
]]>When it's dark out, we need light to see. But what if your body could make its own light?
From acclaimed author-illustrator Julia Kuo comes a remarkable picture book about bioluminescence, the light made from living things, and its many forms: fireflies and foxfire, fungi and glow-worms, deep-sea fish and vampire squids.
Kuo's radiant art portrays a young child and adult discovering different bioluminescent creatures, accompanied by simple lyrical text and informative sidebars that reveal fascinating scientific facts about each of them.
An introduction to an extraordinary natural phenomenon, Luminous shines a light upon how truly wondrous the world is.
Luminous features:
Brilliant and unique illustrations: The depiction of vibrant bioluminescent species against an unusual black backdrop creates an unforgettable visual experience for readers.
The science of bioluminescence: Shares the real-life magic of bioluminescence with sidebars about the various places and species in which bioluminescence is found.
Text can be read on two levels: Kuo's simple and poetic narrative is accompanied by scientific facts about bioluminescence.
]]>Beyonce Knowles-Carter started performing as a child, but first rose to fame as a member of the R&B girl group Destiny's Child and has gone on to sell more than 200 million records worldwide as a solo artist. Widely considered one of the greatest musical artists of all time, Beyonce has won nearly every award in the music industry and beyond.
An inspiration to millions, the life of Beyonce is indeed proof that Black history matters.
Black History Heroesshares the lives and inspirations of Black men and women who changed the world, yesterday, today, and for tomorrow.
]]>When human beings first encountered wild cats, they could see things in the dark that our eyes couldn't, and their hunting helped keep pests away. Eventually, they became our companions, and joined us on journeys across the sea to faraway lands. Soon, the whole world became obsessed with cats!
Over the centuries and all around the world, the cat has appeared in myths, legends, superstitions and stories. From the time we first admired cats in ancient Egypt, to the creation of cat cafes in Korea in the present day, cats continue to fascinate and intrigue us. While they allow us to understand some things about them, cats have still managed to retain an aura of mystery even today. Do any of us really know what's going on in their heads?
Based on extensive research, this narrative nonfiction picture book traces the special relationship between humans and these furry felines a purr-fect introduction for the youngest of readers to the mysterious world of cats! Includes backmatter with further information on the cat breeds featured in the book. A companion book to Dogs and Us.
]]>DEBBIE BIBO is a literary agent, translator and founder of the Debbie Bibo Agency. Her translations include Dogs and Us by Marta Pantaleo, Petra and Fish and Crab, both by Marianna Coppo, The Forest by Riccardo Bozzi and illustrated by Violeta Lpiz and Valerio Vidali, Detective Mole and The Biggest Mistake, both by Camilla Pintonato. She lives in Milan, Italy.
YVETTE GHIONE is an editor and translator. Her translations include Who Owns the Clouds? by Mario Brassard and illustrated by Gerard DuBois; Children Around the World by Donata Montanari; and many of Marianne Dubuc's books, including Mr. Postmouse's Rounds and And Then the Seed Grew and Your House, My House. She lives in Toronto, Ontario.
]]>Beautifully illustrated themed pages in a poster style.
]]>Beautifully illustrated themed pages in a poster style.
]]>Simple 4-piece jigsaw on each of the five spreads, with rhyming text on each page.
]]>Engaging introduction to puzzles for toddlers, with perfect sized pieces for little fingers
Simple 4-piece jigsaw on each of the five spreads, with rhyming text on each page
]]>Simple 4-piece jigsaw on each of the five spreads, with rhyming text on each page.
]]>Simple 4-piece jigsaw on each of the five spreads, with rhyming text on each page.
]]>Embark on a culinary adventure with the most delicious dragon book for kids.
How to Cook for a Dragon is not your ordinary cookbook it's a fantastical journey through a realm where every meal is an exciting quest and every recipe is a treasure to be unearthed. This dragon-themed cookbook is filled with fun, tasty, and nutritious recipes that kids will love to both make and eat, from the 'Dragon Egg in a Cave' that will tickle their taste buds to the 'Traveler's Mini Pizzas' that will have them breathing imaginary fire.
What's Inside?
Perfect for Families and Kids Aged 512
How to Cook for a Dragon is designed to bring families together in the kitchen. It's a perfect introduction to cooking for children, teaching them valuable skills while sparking their imaginations. The recipes are simple enough for kids to follow with just a little help from an adult, making the book a special activity for family bonding.
Special Features for Young Chefs:
Don't miss out on the chance to make cooking a magical journey with How to Cook for a Dragon the ultimate dragon book for kids. Grab your copy, don your chef's hat, and prepare for a fantastical feast that will make your kitchen the most magical place on Earth!
]]>Keith Riegert is an author and the CEO at Ulysses Press. He is also a cofounder of the book publicity and digital marketing firm Pacific & Court and teaches Analytics and Consumer Insights at NYU's School of Professional Studies in the Center for Publishing.
]]>Rosalind Beardshaw's favourite subject in school was art. She's illustrated more than 30 picturebooks. www.rosalindbeardshaw.com
]]>A moving, funny, remarkable book about what to do when a giant comes and eats up your city...including your mother!
It's an ordinary day. Victor's mother is running out the door to go to work and Victor is enjoying his milky hot chocolate when, suddenly, there is a terrible screech and a horrible shaking. When he looks out the window, Victor sees an enormous sleeping giant lying atop the city! He's eaten all the trees, buildings, cars, and people even Victor's mother!
Can Victor find a way to save the city and get his mother back? And how can he make sure the giant goes back to sleep?
From acclaimed creator, Rafael Yockteng comes an empowering story of bravery and overcoming challenges no matter what.
An Aldana Libros Book, Greystone Kids
Also available in Spanish.
]]>The White Rose Resistance was the German student movement that used the power of the written word to speak out against the Nazis during World War II. They worked in secret to distribute leaflets condemning the government's actions at a time when doing so meant putting your life at risk.
The story follows siblings Hans and Sophie Scholl, who were instrumental members of the resistance. Words Matter transports readers through the world the siblings inhabited, from their idyllic childhood to becoming leaders in the Hitler Youth groups; the Nuremberg Rally; witnessing the arrests and murders of innocent people; and finally emerging as leaders of the White Rose Resistance while still believing in the goodness that lived in the hearts of the German people. The Scholl siblings were arrested and executed in 1943 but their legacy, and the words of the Resistance, live on.
Written in verse and strikingly illustrated for middle-grade readers, Words Matter brings to life an unforgettable true story of nonviolent resistance. Hans and Sophie's story demonstrates the enduring power of words, especially in times of propaganda and fear.
]]>Sophie Casson illustrated The Prisoner and the Writer, written by Heather Camlot, winner of the Canadian Jewish Literary Awards Best Children's Book. Her other books include The Artist and Me by Shane Peacock, a finalist for the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award, and Helen's Birds by Sara Cassidy. Sophie's work has also appeared in the Globe and Mail, the New York Times and Nature, as well as in the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Sophie lives in Montreal, Quebec.
]]>Give yourself the upper hand and learn everything from the basics on gathering, building and surviving, to how to navigate the map and pro survival tips. There's all the tactics, tricks and strategies you need to give you an edge in the world's most popular online game!
And if that's not enough there are puzzles, quizzes and games to test your knowledge and sharpen your wit before you proceed into battle...
]]>The world is your oyster in Minecraft, and this guide is here to help all kinds of players - from surviving through your first night, to digging for diamonds, understanding the relationship between bookshelves and enchantment, and reaching the End dimension. So grab your trusty pickaxe; it's time to build.
]]>With over 480 million units sold worldwide, the Pokemon world and monsters shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
From starter Pokemon, through to rare and mythical types, this guide is here to help trainers of all abilities in their quest to catch them all from training gyms to type moves and special abilities; as well as trading cards, Pokemon Go, Scarlet and Violet and Pokemon Horizons.
]]>But where do you begin with a platform that's only limit is the extent of your imagination? That's where this guide comes in: we've got you covered from surfing game genres, understanding from 'ABC' all the way to 'XD' (trust us, it'll make sense soon), and even having a go at making your own game. So boot up Roblox, grab this guide and get ready to join over 40 million other daily players in whatever world you choose it's all up to you.
]]>Nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal 2022
Age range 3 to 6
Ten little dogs, sitting in a line,
One chased a butterfly
And then there were.... nine
Then 8, then 7 and so on. Continue the countdown fun until only one little dog remains. Will there be none? Turn the final page to find out.
'A treat for dog lovers of all ages, this.' - Red Reading Hub
'A feast for the eyes...an extremely enjoyable and satisfying reading experience for both adult and child.' - Books for Keeps
'I love this delightful counting picture book.' - School Librarian
'Gorgeous illustrations and a rhyming narrative bring the bouncing dogs to life.' - Book Activist
]]>A perfect baby gift, this charming and funny board book features animals from around the world, each one celebrating their uniquely shaped bum!
All bottoms are wonderful! Don't you agree? Each animal has a different reason for loving their behind - from cute and round to fashionable and striped! Illustrator Maki Saito's traditional Japanese art techniques add a sophisticated, beautiful feel to a book about...animal butts!
Now available as a board book, this celebration of self love and body positivity will have the tiniest of readers (and their parents) laughing out loud at the backsides of hippos, zebras, pandas, and more.
]]>Find out which farm animals are hiding in this colourful, interactive lift-the-flap children's board book with a surprise ending.
A brand-new series where little readers can guess which animals are hiding under colourful flaps by reading the clues. Perfect for reading aloud and developing early world recognition, children will want to read these books again and again.
]]>Yoga Frogs love to have fun trying all the different yoga poses. Can you count the different yoga frogs, and try out all the yoga poses?
]]>Mandy Stanley is an award-winning illustrator, author and designer who has published more than 200 picture, story and activity books for children. She was born in Suffolk and now works from her studio at home in Beccles. She can be contacted on Twitter @mandyestanley and Instagram @mandyestanley. Website: www.mandystanley.com
]]>Let's go on a bicycle
And spend the day outside,
We'll have a big adventure
It's a great day for a ride!
Join friends for an exciting bicycle ride!
The Let's Go! series features a mode of transport in each book and encourages children to explore the great outdoors. It is a fun and engaging read, perfect for toddlers and early learners as they begin the years of discovery. Natalia's fun illustrations perfectly complement Rosalyn's text.
]]>Rosalyn Albert grew up in Wales, where she spent the majority of her time walking her border collie, Jasper, pretending to be George and Timmy from Enid Blyton's Famous Five. As a child, she loved nothing more than getting lost in a good book and went on to study English and German Literature at Southampton University. She has always had a passion for travel and adventure, and after living in Berlin, Belgium, London and New Zealand, she currently resides in Sydney with her husband and two young daughters. Reading thousands of stories to her daughters over the past few years inspired her to follow her life-long dream of putting pen to paper and creating fun stories of her own.
Natalia Moore is an Illustrator and Designer. She lives in South Devon, just outside of Plymouth. Her passion for drawing has always directed her career. Having taught for a short stint, she is now a full-time illustrator and has illustrated over twenty-five books worldwide.
]]>Named a Best Children's Book of the Year by New York Times, Washington Post, New York Public Library, Kirkus Reviews, Globe and Mail, Horn Book, and Boston Globe.
Baby animals and kids love to play! This wonderful book celebrates playtime and the connection between children and the natural world. Julie Flett's iconic illustrations celebrate birds who chase and chirp, bears who wiggle and wobble, and owls who peek and peep. A group of kids love to do the same thing, shouting, 'We play too! kimetawnaw mna'.
At the end of the book, the baby animals and kids gently fall asleep after a fun day of playing outside, making this book a great bedtime story. Featuring a glossary of Cree animal names used, We All Play is a beautiful ode to the creatures we share our world with, and belongs on every bookshelf.
]]>A flightless bird that wishes to fly into space? Our kiwi bird Karl will show you that you can literally reach the stars, if you are determined and work hard to follow your dreams. Together with him, the readers will learn about rockets, space travel and space itself.
Is space the number one topic you're interested in? Would you like to learn what breathtaking objects and man-made machines are flying around out there? Would you like to become an astronaut and see everything with your own eyes? Karl the kiwi bird is interested in just that. His biggest dream is to visit space as an astronaut. Together you'll learn many interesting things about all kinds of spacecraft. You'll meet the most famous types and also catch a glimpse of what goes on before you even get to go to space - astronaut training and liftoff included! Join Karl in his spacecraft, get to know the solar system, and even more! Who knows what is hiding beyond our galaxy...
]]>Diarmuid O Cathain is an Irish illustrator and picture book maker. After obtaining a degree in Visual Communications, he worked in the Graphic Design field, before pursuing a career in Illustration. He is always looking for new opportunities to collaborate and new visual challenges to sink his teeth into.
What's roaring and whirring over here? Cars zoom back and forth along the highway, ships roll over the water, and planes fly overhead. There's so much to hear and see!
On every page, there is a little surprise waiting for kids learning their first words: thanks to the cut-outs on every spread, one image transforms into another as the page turns. Combined with thoughtful and lively illustrations, this book is perfect for little ones!
]]>Veronika Zacharovais a graphic artist, illustrator, and animator from the Czech Republic. She has made several animated films and projects, some of which have won festival awards. She is an author of the visual identity and the jingle for Anifilm, a Czech animation festival.
]]>For every little one on your list, a 3-D book about space you can touch and move - all on your own! Help your youngest loved ones leap into STEAM and stay curious about the cosmos forever.
Don't just read about space - make it move! In Hands-On Academy Space, little hands will literally make solar systems spin, moons eclipse, and universes expand with wheels, tabs, flaps, and more made from sturdy, durable artcard, all while learning the fundamentals of space exploration and the mysteries of the cosmos. Bold, colourful art and simple vocabulary round out this first-of-its-kind, fully interactive STEAM book! A perfect addition to preschool shelves and early-learning programs, and a fun way to inspire STEAM (and answer tough questions!) at a time when inquisitive minds are beginning to blossom. Topics covered include: The solar system, The sun, The moon, The earth, The planets, Comets and asteroids, Galaxies, The universe, Human space exploration, What it's like in space.
Part of the Hands-On Academy STEAM series, an exciting, interactive new way for young, budding minds (and hands!) to explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
]]>For every little one on your list, a 3-D book about the weather you can touch and move - all on your own! Help your youngest loved ones leap into STEAM and stay curious about the climate forever. Don't just read about weather - make it move!
In Hands-On Academy Weather, little hands will literally make rain fall, suns rise, and rainbows shine with wheels, tabs, flaps, and more made from sturdy, durable artcard, all while learning the fundamentals of weather. Bold, colourful art and simple vocabulary round out this first-of-its-kind, fully interactive STEAM book! A perfect addition to preschool shelves and early-learning programs, and a fun way to inspire STEAM (and answer tough questions!) at a time when inquisitive minds are beginning to blossom.
Topics covered include: Temperature, Air Pressure and humidity, Wind, Clouds, Precipitation, Weather systems, Storms, Rainbows, The seasons, What to wear!
Part of the Hands-On Academy STEAM series, an exciting, interactive new way for young, budding minds (and hands!) to explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
]]>Sometimes kids - and little trucks - need to be reassured of a parent's love. InI Love You, Little Truck,Big Truck loves Little Truck with a full heart - but Little Truck can't help but wonder. 'Little Truck smiled, then it sank to a frown. / 'But what about times I might let you down? / Like when I spill oil or get grease on the rugs. / Even then, will you give me your kisses and hugs?' In a heartwarming exchange featuring favourite construction trucks, Big Truck shows how a parent's love overcomes oil spills, cement, and even the deepest of holes. Adorable illustrations from Natasha Mollins complement the simple, rhyming text to convey an endearing message that kids will want to hear - and feel - again and again.
A heartwarming I Love You book for kids who love trucks.
Thick, sturdy artcard and a protective, glossy coating ensures the book will last for many more readings!
'Sure to be a hit with young construction lovers, and comforting for any child worried about all those 'What ifs.'-School Library Journal
]]>Stephanie Miles is the author of several books for kids and has worked as a preschool teacher and special education aide. She graduated from Fresno State University with a degree in child development. Stephanie is also a warrior. In 2011, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). In her free time, she loves to cycle, garden, decorate, and count her son's freckles. She and her family live in California.
]]>In a smart and silly picture book enriched with preschool-friendly facts and activities, Lynn Leitch and the acclaimed Scot Ritchie propose the perfect modes of transport for eight charismatic dinosaurs
A witty and whimsical picture book for young fans of dinosaurs and vehicles alike.
What kind of a car would a tiny Velociraptor drive? Perhaps a mini car? But what would suit a vegetarian Iguanodon or a pack of rowdy Triceratops? What would an ideal vehicle be for a T-rex? Whatever it is, it had better come with an adjustable steering wheel for those short arms!
Illustrated by award-winning artist Scot Richie, this humorous picture book helps dinosaurs find their perfect way to get around. Carnotaurus, Brachiosaurus, Diplodocus, and more, ride around on a variety of vehicles that suit their style, anatomy, and nature. At story time, readers will ask themselves the inevitable question: out of all the things that go, what would my favourite dinosaur drive?
Scot Richie's fun and witty dinosaurs will have children laughing at the absurdity of a T-rex in a monster truck, while they simultaneously learn the names of these prehistoric creatures. Author Lynn Leitch includes preschooler-friendly dinosaur facts that help readers to go beyond the story. A closing page of activities is included to further enrich the reading experience.
]]>Scot Ritchie is an award-winning illustrator and author with more than 60 books to his credit, including most recently On the Line. His books have been translated into French, Korean, Indonesian, Polish, Finnish, Arabic and Dutch. Scot has worked with the National Film Board of Canada and has had his illustrations exhibited at the National Gallery of Canada. He lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.
]]>