'Delightful . . . a real treat to read' SCHOOLDAYS MAGAZINE,

WINNER OF THE ABIA CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD 2023
A CBCA NOTABLE PICTURE BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023
SHORTLISTED FOR THE SPEECH PATHOLOGY AUSTRALIA BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR BIRTH TO THREE AWARD 2023

I'm not brave enough today. Maybe next time.
You're hurting my feelings right now.
Want to join in?

A warm and whimsical guide to negotiating life's little moments and big emotions with empathy, kindness and words from the heart.

From award-winning and much-loved author Davina Bell and exciting new illustrator, Hilary Jean Tapper.

'A soothing story with gentle tips on how to respond with compassion and care when life gets tricky ... The ideal book to gently encourage young readers to open up about their feelings' Sydney Morning Herald

Come with us on a deep dive through the ocean zones. Meet some of the most unusual creatures from the sea and hear their stories about how they have changed over millions of years to survive in the inky ocean depths.

Discover why the deepsea flounder is as flat as a pancake, learn all about the 500-million-year-old comb jelly and find out why yeti crabs are so hairy. From the barreleye fish to the tripod spiderfish, prepare to be amazed by the incredible creatures that inhabit our seas.

From the award-winning creator of The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Ugly Animals, The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Dangerous Animals and The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Peculiar Pairs in Nature.

How We Came to Be: Surprising Sea Creatures is a wondrous book that will appeal to curious kids, adults and anyone who enjoys learning more about our incredible planet ... [Sami's] passion for weird and wonderful wildlife is simply infectious. BETTER READING

'Cleverly presented and strikingly illustrated . . . This fabulous book has a place in all libraries and would also be a wonderful gift for children of all ages' READPLUS

Charlie loves the sea.

He loves the seashells and the seahorses, the sharks and the stingrays, the crabs and the crayfish.

He loves the gentle waves that creep up onto the sand and tickle his toes.

He loves the huge wild waves that crash onto the sand and make the beach tremble.

But most of all he loves the whales.

'A simple but heart-felt story about the wonders of the natural world and the rewards of patience' SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

'Libby Gleeson's words are lyrical, and Hannah Somerville's illustrations are almost ethereal as they combine to make a story that is as magical as the whales themselves' READPLUS

A gorgeous award-winning celebration of two little people growing up together. A timeless book to treasure, and a wish to the universe for friendship and adventures shared between siblings.

You two, you two -
higgle and piggle, a hullabaloo.

A gorgeous celebration of two little people growing up together. A timeless book to treasure, and a wish to the universe for friendship and adventures shared between siblings. With a gentle rhyme, vibrant and imaginative illustrations and a simple message of love and fun, it's a bedtime story that will be enjoyed time and time again.

'I wish I had this when my girls were really little . . . a beautiful picture book' Megan Daley, award-winning teacher-librarian and author

Discover the incredible features and characteristics of some of the natural world's most fascinating extinct and critically endangered animals in the latest gorgeously illustrated hardcover encyclopaedia from award-winning author and illustrator Sami Bayly.

Pore over beautifully detailed illustrations of some of the most fascinating extinct and critically endangered animals in the natural world. Discover how these species fit into the history of the animal kingdom and why they have become extinct or are under threat.

Featuring facts and astonishing illustrations about sixty amazing animals, including the Western black rhino, thylacine, dodo, South Island giant moa and Tapanuli orangutan, as well as megafauna such as the giant wombat-like diprotodon and the crocodile-like Quinkana. Plus creatures with mysterious origins like Delcourt's giant gecko.

Children and adults alike will wonder at the contribution these animals have made to the natural world while being reminded of the importance of wildlife conservation.

'Stunningly illustrated and deeply informative' THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S WEEKLY

'Beautiful and detailed . . . A treasure trove, ideal for 8-year-olds and older who are interested in natural history and fascinating creatures' SCHOOLDAYS MAGAZINE

You'll be amazed by how these clever creatures use disguise and imitation to find food, send out warning signals and, most of all, avoid predators!

'Remarkably interesting . . . intriguing reading for ages 6-11' SCHOOL DAYS MAGAZINE

'Fascinating facts and detailed, engaging illustrations abound' WEST AUSTRALIAN

'With Maxine Beneba Clarke's trademark melodious language, which is so vivid it seems to leap off each page, this joyful read-aloud is perfect for storytime . . . A glorious expression of the joy and wonder of reading. Young bookworms and their families will cherish this love letter to bookshops' BOOKS+PUBLISHING

'A beautiful tribute . . . Like young imaginations, Beneba Clarke's illustrations literally fill the pages so they brim with colour' GOOD READING MAGAZINE

'A fun and vivid story . . . With beautiful, textured illustrations, We Know a Place is a love letter to bookshops and the magic they provide' READINGS, Best Picture Books of 2023

Grace Dalfinch is a talented violinist who longs to play contemporary music in bars but whose mother forbids her. James Crux is an aspiring street artist who promised his dad that he wouldn't paint in public until he's eighteen and legal. When Crux witnesses Grace's secret performance in a viral video, he's inspired to paint her and her violin on a not-so-legal wall, and when Grace stumbles across her portrait in a Melbourne alley by an anonymous street artist, she sets out to find its creator.

Grace Notes is a debut contemporary young adult verse novel, set in the most locked-down city in the world - Melbourne, 2020. It's a love story, at its heart, but it's also a book about young people using art to make sense of the world around them, and to shape it too. It's for fans of Cath Crowley's Graffiti Moon, and verse novels like Pip Harry's Are You There Buddha? ,

I'm jumping waves at the beach with Dad.
If they're small I can leap over their frothy peaks.
Easy!
But further out, when they're big, you have to duck dive under.

Maisie is learning about ocean swimming at the beach. The small waves are easy, but how will she know when to dive under the bigger ones? And will she be brave enough to try? Lucky Dad is there to help her.

A beautiful picture book from acclaimed author Pip Harry and award-winning illustrator Hilary Jean Tapper.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE ABIA BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR YOUNGER READERS 2024
SHORTLISTED FOR THE CHILDREN'S AWARD, INDIE BOOK AWARDS 2024
SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKPEOPLE CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024

On the night of a full moon, a small tropical dingo cub is born. And it is her destiny to travel far from home to change things for her kind.

Kimmi sleeps with her mama at her back, her aunty at her front and her three brothers squeezed in beside her. They are a family. But when the farmer who took her father returns to threaten the rest of them, Kimmi is separated from her mama.

In an incredible act of determination, Kimmi's mama runs over mountain tops and dusty red earth to spend one last day with her cub and share with her the knowledge that will one day make her a queen.

This is Kimmi's story, the story of how she became Queen of the Dingoes in a sanctuary that saves them from extinction. It is her mama's story, too. But mostly it is a story that goes back thousands of years, and follows the long line of female dingoes they belong to.

An inspiring true story of survival and courage from one of Australia's best-loved writers.

'Parrett blends matter-of-fact content with a confidently poetic voice . . . For readers aged 8+' BOOKS+PUBLISHING

'A lyrically told tale of survival and resilience for younger readers' SATURDAY AGE

From three-time Paralympian swimmer, medal-winner and disability advocate Sarah Rose, comes a big-hearted guide to disability, full of letters, learnings and laughs from a disabled person to you.

ABC Disability is an A to Z of celebrating what makes each of us unique, featuring bold, brightly coloured artwork by award-winning illustrator Beck Feiner - including the Auslan sign for each letter of the alphabet.

'Each concept is simply and practically explained with sensitivity and empathy' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

As the sun goes down on Christmas Eve, a little star rises up and watches over the celebrations below.

One family hangs a wreath on their door, another plays on the beach, another gives a present to someone who needs it more. The little star shines brighter as they share in the joy and magic of this special night.

A heartwarming, contemporary lullaby for little ones to listen to as they snuggle up at bedtime, The Brightest Christmas Star gently acknowledges that Christmas means different things to different people, but at the heart of it all is love. A perfect gift for baby's first Christmas, or for families seeking a book that reflects the Australian Christmas experience in an inclusive way that doesn't focus on Santa Claus or traditional family structures.

'This delightful book is a true gift to the world' The Australian Women's Weekly

'A refreshing take on a story for Christmas . . . Exudes love while acknowledging that families and people celebrate Christmas in their own special ways. This really is a perfect gift for younger readers' Schooldaysmagazine.com

'Gentle, rhythmic language . . . stunning illustrations . . . If you're looking for a Christmas story that feels just right for Australian kids, this book is a perfect choice! It's a wonderful way to teach kids that love is at the heart of every Christmas celebration, no matter how it looks' Better Reading

'I enjoyed this strange, inventive and moving tale' DAVID ALMOND

An unforgettable story of friendship, hope and happiness from renowned Australian writer Zana Fraillon.

Are you ready? Are you listening? Something is about to begin.

When Ada arrives on the day of the Great Summer Storm, it is like the wind had picked her up and blown her in - walking stick and all - and dumped her right at the front gates of number 9 Hawkhurst Lane.

Unfortunately, Ada is not the kind of neighbour Hettie was hoping for. Cranky, impatient and a hater of cats, Ada has no intention of making friends.

But as the summer unfolds, Hettie and Ada discover they have more in common than they think. Could their unlikely friendship be the missing piece they never knew they needed?

With illustrations by Stephen Michael King.

'A gem of a book. The story is a powerful one of community and understanding, exploring deep themes with the lightest of touch - and warm humour. One of the best books I've read this year - I loved it' GILL LEWIS, author of Moonflight

'A beautiful story of friendship and love across generations for readers aged 12+ who enjoy Karen Foxlee and Kate DiCamillo's books' BOOKS+PUBLISHING

My skin is brown. My hair is dark and curly. I look different from the other kids at school. What am I?

Lupe is a daughter. She is a big sister. She is a friend. She is smart. She is fearless. She is funny. She is beautiful. She is enough.

A warm-hearted story that inspires big and little readers to embrace the things that make them who they are.

A CBCA NOTABLE PICTURE BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024

Inside the small bowl of your hands,
I see your treasure.

A mother and child explore a deserted beach on a windy day. It is an afternoon they will both treasure always.

A poetic and tender book about how the small moments spent together are often the most precious.

'This book is a tug at the heart. It's beautiful, warm and thoughtful, and I had a tear in my eye at the end. But it was a drop of mother's love' GOOD READING

'An almost heartbreaking tale about children growing up and developing their own independence ... Goldsmith's illustrations leave the book awash with calmness and warmth ... Little Treasure brings to mind similarly comforting titles such as Jetty Jumping, The Little Things, and Nanna's Button Tin. A wonderful choice for Mother's Day' BOOKS+PUBLISHING

'Chanelle Gosper's lyrical, slow-moving prose perfectly captures the wonder and magic of play ... Jennifer Goldsmith's captivating illustrations are the perfect accompaniment ... It's sure to be a bedtime favourite' BETTER READING

'The story evokes the strong connection between mother and daughter, and this connection is beautifully depicted with the stunning illustrations' READPLUS

'Gosper's engaging rhyming text explores the things that a child and her mother discover together, while Goldsmith has created glorious seascapes using watercolour and pencil images collaged together to create a three-dimensional effect that adds visual impact. There are treasure ships, mermaids' jewels, imaginative play and a whole lot of love in this celebration of family time spent together in the natural world' CANBERRA TIMES

'Illustrator Jennifer Goldsmith's tender depictions of the simple, small, free moments in life will leave you breathless' THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S WEEKLY

FOUND!
One octopus!
Likes to eat tuna sandwiches.
Goes by the name of 'Oswald'.

It all began when Etta decided to take a bath . . . And realised she wasn't alone. In the bath sat Oswald. Etta had never had an octopus in her bath before.

At first, Etta thinks it might be fun to have Oswald around. But she soon learns that octopuses are not very good at being tidy . . . or cooking . . . or sharing . . . or even playing nicely.

Just as Etta has almost had enough, someone comes to claim Oswald. Oswald isn't perfect, but does Etta
really want to send him away?

A QUIRKY AND HILARIOUS ILLUSTRATED SERIES ABOUT AN UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP . . . THAT MIGHT JUST STEAL YOUR HEART!

Praise for Etta and the Octopus:
'A story of friendship, acceptance and helpful lists . . . A tale with eight times the fun' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH
'Wholesome, hilarious, unique and a whole lot of fun . . . A charming story about finding friendship in the most unexpected of places' BETTER READING
'A witty, illustrated tale that bridges the often difficult gap between picture book and chapter book . . . Wonderfully done and lovingly brought to life by Andrew Joyner's illustrations' READPLUS
'Delightful, charming, lighthearted . . . This engaging story is perfect for newly independent readers' READINGS
'Etta and the Octopus conjures curiosity, wonder, humour and suspense to bring a new twist to the age-old tale of an unlikely friendship . . . an ideal choice!' BOOKS+PUBLISHING