AustLit

'Explore our planet, meet the Earth Shakers.

'Our world is WONDERFUL - and it's worth protecting.

'This book takes you on a breathtaking tour of our planet - from towering mountaintops, through grasslands, jungles, rivers, deserts, polar wildernesses and into the blue ocean - to discover the incredible variety of life that calls it home. Along the way, read the stories of 35 inspiring Earth Shakers - children and adults, from tree-planters to scientists, from all around the world - who have taken action to protect it.

'Plus, find lots of practical tips and handy resources inside that give you the tools to make a positive change today.

'With lots of practical tips throughout and handy resources on how to find out more, every budding young activist will be inspired to make a change for a better future.'

Source : publisher's blurb

'What's at the top of the ladder? Is it a hat? Is it a cat? Is it a snail on a whale? Simple, playful and absurdist, this new picture book by Marc Martin is about imagination and creativity. Reminiscent of Press Here by Herve Tullet, Dr Seuss and I Want my Hat Back by Jon Glasson.' (Publication summary)

'Holly's dad is an explorer, having amazing adventures all over the world, while Holly is stuck at home with her mum, her baby brother and the dog. Now Dad's on a new expedition and he'll miss her tenth birthday. She's not happy - until she finds out that he's planned a special treasure hunt, just for her. She has ten days to complete ten tasks - some silly, some tricky and some downright terrifying.' (Publication summary)

'Mr Barleycorn picks a green baby growing on his land, letting loose the incredible power of nature. When melons grow in the kitchen and apples sprout out of their television, Mrs Barleycorn says the Greenling has to go. But the bounty and beauty of nature has a strange power - the power to bring a whole community together.' (Publication summary)

'Today is Pet Day in Lily's class. All the kids bring in their pets - hermit crabs, parrots, mice, puppies, ferrets and ducks - but Lily brings her dragon. Class smarty-pants Courtney says to Lily that dragons are only in fairy tales so how could she have a dragon? However, when all the pets misbehave in the middle of the all-important pet parade, guess who (or what) saves the day?This gorgeous and funny story about finding your voice is the first collaboration between two of Australia's leading picture book creators.' (Publication summary)

'Nine-year-old Benjamin Jinks has a 'Most Talented Pet' competition to win, and he is sure that his pet Stinky is hamster for the job. But the pair soon find out that there's more at stake than just the competition - Can Stinky survive the pair's latest hair-brained plot?' (Publication summary)

'When Bruiser, Ben's neighbour's cat, goes missing, Stinky the genius hamster thinks it's a cause for celebration. But when Ben's sister's kitten, Delilah, disappears too, things start to look suspicious. It's time for tenacious twosome Stinky and Jinks to spring into action once more . . .' (Publication summary)

'A summer holiday by the sea beckons for the Jinks family, and of course Ben is bringing Stinky, his genius of a hamster, along with him. But a trip to the local museum uncovers the mystery of long-lost stolen diamonds and a map. Does 'X' really mark the spot? And can Stinky and Ben find the hidden loot before the crooks track it down?' (Publication summary)

'Ishmael is back at St Daniel's for another year of misadventure, with his best mate Razz determined to set him up with dream-girl, Kelly. But before Ishmael can win her heart, he has to overcome a mortifying pool incident, a nasty knock-out and getting caught red-handed with Kelly's diary. Ishmael's only hope lies with his Dad's rock band, but can the Dugong's set everything right?' (Publication summary)

By the time ninth grade begins, Ishmael Leseur knows it won't be long before Barry Bagsley, the class bully, says, "Ishmael? What kind of w'ussy-crap name is that?” Ishmael's perfected the art of making himself virtually invisible. But all that changes when James Scobie joins the class. Unlike Ishmael, James has no sense of fear—he claims it was removed during an operation.

Now nothing will stop James and Ishmael from taking on bullies, bugs, and Moby Dick, in the toughest, weirdest, most embarrassingly awful . . . and the best year of their lives.' (Publication summary)

'Eric is a foreign exchange student who comes to live with a typical suburban family. Although everyone is delighted with the arrangement, cultural misunderstandings ensure, beginning with Eric's insistence on sleeping in a pantry cupboard rather than a specially prepared guest room.'