AustLit

'A touching novel about finding your home, even if it doesn’t look the way you expected.

'Kennedy and Dad have been on the move since Mum left and their farm had to be sold. When Dad takes on a horse called Ugly, the plan for the horse is clear from the start – train him up, sell him off and put the money toward their new farm deposit. Despite knowing the clock is ticking, the bond between Kennedy and Ugly (or Douglas, as she calls him) becomes unbreakable. In the face of all uncertainty, Douglas has become her home and her haven, but will they have to sell him to have a home of their own?'

Source : publisher's blurb

'This first book in the Our Country series takes readers on a journey across Australia to marvel at our unique geology and geography.

'Our home is an ancient land. In every corner of Australia, wonders are waiting for curious explorers. With each vibrant fact-filled page of this unique book, readers will visit different natural wonders across all states and territories. See the prehistoric beasts that roamed the land in Winton, venture through the lava-formed caves at Undara, experience the fiery glow of Uluru and Kata Tjuta, and more! Adventure is out there . . . Our country is calling.'

Source : publisher's blurb

'Isla and Bea are two sisters who share a love of music. Big sister Isla plays the violin and Bea is waiting for her music to start. With the help of Maestro Gus, the cat ghost of the piano, Bea will make her sparkling debut. Piano Fingers is the latest magical creation from an award-winning and internationally distinguished creator.' (Publication summary)

'Everyone's favourite Little Wombat is on a bunyip hunt!

'Little Wombat is hunting the bunyip – a mythical creature said to inhabit swamps, bogs, and riverbeds. He's convinced Bunyip exists, even if his friends Rabbit and Koala don't agree. So Little Wombat sets off alone to find the muddy monster...' (Publication summary)

'The perfect gift for any young animal-lover, this beautifully illustrated natural history book is an ideal introduction to creatures of the seas.

'Illustrated in a bright, contemporary style, this modern guide to twenty of the most interesting marine animals from all around the world is packed with information and fun facts – everything you need to know to help you learn about and identify our ocean-living friends. From the little shrimp to the big blue whale, taking in the magnificent narwhal, the beautiful moon jellyfish and the fascinating anglerfish along the way, there is so much to find out. With key facts about size, habitat, diet and population, there are detailed descriptions of each animal and fascinating did-you-know facts!' (Publication summary)

'This award-winning illustrator has developed her own graphic language of illustrative typography, making images of all kinds using only the letters of the subject's name and existing alphabets. This ambitious collection of fabulous faces includes punks, presidents, muso's, muses, heroes and horrors, in a gathering of unforgettable humanity. Includes an insight into the genesis of the 'Fontigram', the inspirations and working practices of the designer, and a smattering of type history for the afficionado. The result is a delight for lovers of typefaces, human faces and serendipity.' (Publication summary)

'A tasty treat of a book where a precocious and imaginative child dines with important historical figures.

'On a school trip to the Museum of Famous People, Martha Maloney wanders off and enjoys the culinary delights of important figures through time, much to the dismay of her teacher. Readers can experience history through the dining tables of King Henry VIII, Princess Marie Antoinette, Queen Nefertiti and more, with heaped servings of information about each time period and their culinary customs. This unique picture book weaves together fiction and non-fiction to create a delicious read for inquisitive young minds.' (Publication summary)

'Explore an Australian country town through time in this innovative and informative picture book.

'Country Town tells the history of a fictional Australian town. See the town evolve as it is glimpsed from the same vantage point nearly every decade – from the First Nations mob living by the river crossing in the 1820s through to the present. Each page has a timeline highlighting major events happening in the town at that time in history and young readers can pour over each spread to discover the stories of the community.' (Publication summary)

'A story about seeing what life is like on the other side of the window.

'Two very different cats: Winston, a free-spirited explorer; and The Indoor Cat, lover of leisure; form a friendship and show each other how different their lives could be. Can The Indoor Cat be enticed by outdoor adventure? Will Winston be tempted by a life of indoor luxury?' (Publication summary)

'Join Possum and his bush friends in this rhyming read-aloud story, perfect to share for an Aussie Christmas.

'From his lofty watch post, Possum is drawn to the sight of a distant tree covered in sparkling trinkets. A Christmas Tree, according to Kookaburra. So begins a quest in which Possum and his crafty crew of helpers try very hard to decorate their very own Christmas gum tree from Bowerbird’s treasure trove. But it’s not as easy as you might think!' (Publication summary)

'For Magnolia Moon, magic is a way to solve problems. And when you're starting a new class at school and your best friend doesn't live across the road anymore, problems seem to come easily.

'In her latest adventure, Magnolia Moon invents everyday magic to help her navigate the pitfalls of friendship, school, family, and being ten. A lyrical and imaginative tale which highlights everyday wonders through Magnolia's curious and observant nature.' (Publication summary)

'The true story of an important pioneering woman in Australian history.

'Courageous, clever and daring, Drover is one of a kind. Travelling through the heart of the outback, Drover delivers a mob of cattle. Searing heat, dust and flies, hardship and danger: these are just part of the job. But there's no place Drover would rather be.

'The truly remarkable story of legendary drover Edna Jessop is celebrated through stunning oil illustrations and evocative text.' (Publication summary)

'A companion title to Bob Graham’s celebrated picture book Max, whose superhero family has just got bigger!

'Max has a new baby sister – Maxine! Max is there for her first words, her first steps and … her first flight! But as Maxine grows up and starts school, she doesn’t feel like she quite fits in. In fact, she’s not sure if she feels comfortable in her superhero guise at all. Can Maxine convince her family that not all superheroes wear capes? With a strong, incredibly smart girl at its centre, this is a book to inspire any child to dream big and be exactly who, and how, they want to be.' (Publication summary)

'Little Wombat loves playing hide-and-seek with his friends, even though he doesn't understand all the rules of the game. So when it's his turn to look, he hides again, then calls out "Two, TEN" and opens his eyes. So Rabbit and Koala suggest he counts 10 flowers and searches for them. But Little Wombat doesn't count the pink blossoms beside him, he wanders far away, over the hill, looking for yellow ones. Suddenly, he realises that he's all alone. But that he can depend on his friends and his mum coming to the rescue.' (Publication summary)

'A moving #LoveOzYA novel about family, loss, first love - and being there for your family no matter what.

'There has been a lot of change in sixteen-year-old Jamie's life lately. He is still grieving the loss of his dad, which left his mum as sole-carer for his younger brother Oscar, who has Down syndrome and thrives on routine. Things get even more complicated when Jamie meets Zara, the new girl at school who seems to understand him in a way that no one else can. When their mum goes away for the weekend, Jamie volunteers to look after Oscar. Then the weekend is over and she doesn't return. Jamie must now deal with his growing feelings for Zara, keep Oscar safe and happy and do whatever it takes find her.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'What if memories never die? An evocative Australian YA novel about family, place, and how history has a way of weaving itself into our present.

'What if memories never die? When fifteen-year-old Will is sent away to stay with his grandparents in rural New South Wales, he finds the isolated farm strangely familiar -- except the memories he’s channelling are not his own. So whose are they? And what does his grandfather know? As two stories unfold, nearly two hundred years apart, two boys exiled to what feels like the end of the earth struggle to find their identities and voices in the face of abandonment and tragedy. A page-turning YA novel that explores the darker moments of our convict past and how they resonate today.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.