AustLit

'Most children would say that the ocean is blue, but when Bowen looks at it he sees white where the waves crash, deep black on the ocean floor, and green when there's a storm. He wonders whether fireflies are hot, and notices how the brushstrokes of a painting tell a story too. Bowen sees the world differently to other children and struggles to fit in. How will he find his place in the world?

'The Incredibly Busy Mind of Bowen Bartholomew Crisp follows the life of Bowen through school and beyond. At every stage, he finds that he doesn't fit in with his peers, but this eventually becomes his greatest strength. Through thinking differently, he is able to solve problems that no one else could. After all, just because something can't be mended the same as it was, why can't it be mended differently?

'A very personal story, Bowen's tale is sensitively written and full of colourful, lively illustrations. It aims to offer hope to children who haven't yet found their place in life by showing them that being normal might just be overrated, and that to find success in life we should be valuing our differences.

'Children, carers, teachers and psychologists alike will find inspiration in this tale of embracing diversity and engaging our full potential. It is a vital reminder that the strength and uniqueness of every child should be encouraged to help them find their place in the world and flourish!' (Publication summary)

'A warm hug, a loud cheer, a tickly hand, a steady hand. 

'Following a boy and his dad through the day we see all the ways a dad, through his actions, shows his love.

'The Most Magnificent Thing is a tribute to the everyday magnificence of dads.'

Source : publisher's blurb

(Publication summary)

'It begins with a tiny seed growing inside a suitcase. With Amira's care, the tiny seed starts to sprout. Find out what happens when kindness flourishes . . .

'Amira's Suitcase is a gentle, thought-provoking tale about friendship and hope.'

Source : publisher's blurb

'Hugo the monkey doesn’t like Upside-Down Fridays. The day is the wrong way round; lunchtime is at morning teatime, and all his classmates’ smiles look like frowns. How will Hugo learn to tame the butterflies in his tummy and find the fun to be had in change?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Coco and her family have moved to a new home in the country. Coco is missing the big busy city. Tabby Valley has no buzz at all—if you don’t count the bugs (Number 1 on her Least Favourite Things List). But Coco is about to find out that change can be full of beautiful surprises.'

Source : publisher's blurb

'My dad says I can choose a pet, but I’m not sure which pet to get.

'A dog, a cat, a fish, a rat?

'How can Piper pick the perfect pet when there are so many appealing possibilities?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Once there was a small kitten named Coco. Coco lived on the top floor of the tallest building on Meowington Avenue. Her days were filled with action, excitement, noise and activity. And nothing made Coco happier than being a Big City Kitty.'(Publication summary) 

'Two children on opposite sides of the world crave friendship. Is it possible to be friends across the miles?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Olivia and her dog Barkley are inseparable. He’s her sidekick, her partner in crime-fighting — they’re the perfect pair. But then, Barkley dies and Olivia is heartbroken. Gradually, however, she realizes that Barkley wouldn’t want her to be unhappy for the rest of her life. So she comes up with a clever plan to get her happiness back.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Ready or not, here I go! Come and find me, Grandpa! Am I hiding high or low? Where could I be? Keep looking all around the park! It is so much fun playing hide and seek with Grandpa!'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Flick is just like any other youngster. She loves to chase butterflies and jump in autumn leaves. But life at the end of Holyrood Lane is often violent and unpredictable due to the constant storms that plague her home, causing her to cringe with dread and flee whenever they strike. Visually arresting, emotionally incisive, and ultimately uplifting, this beautifully crafted picture book provides a sensitive glimpse into one aspect of domestic violence and how it can affect young lives.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Sophie stood Bear at the top of the castle.

'“You’re so brave, Bear!”

'When Sophie returned from dinner, Bear was not where she had left him.

'“Bear, where are you?” Sophie called.

'Go on an adventure with Sophie as she attempts to find her best friend, Bear. Sophie has to be brave, just like Bear, but the Shadow Monster is lurking in the dark. This gentle book encourages children to face their fears and to have courage, even if they are frightened or nervous.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Grandma Forgets is the heart-warming story of a family bound by love as they cope with their grandma’s dementia. Over the years, the little girl has built up a treasure trove of memories of time spent with Grandma: sausages for Sunday lunch, driving in her sky-blue car to the beach, climbing her apple trees while she baked a delicious apple pie, and her comforting hugs during wild storms.

'But now, Grandma can’t remember those memories. She makes up new rules for old games and often hides Dad’s keys. Sometimes Dad is sad because he has to hold onto the memories for both him and his mother now, but fortunately his daughter is only too happy to help him make new memories to share.

'This is a warm, hopeful story about a family who sometimes needs to remind their grandmother a little more often than they used to about how much they care. She might not remember any of their names but she will always know how much she is loved.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'It's handy having a dad who can fix just about anything. A young girl believes her father is the king of fixing things. But following the death of her mother, she discovers that broken hearts are not as easy to repair as damaged toys and cracked teapots. Together, she and her father find a way to glue back the pieces of her lives. The Fix-It Man is a poignant picture book that explores how a child can cope with the loss of a parent (in this case, the young girl's mother). Repairing damaged emotions is not as straightforward as gluing a broken kite back together or sewing up a torn toy. And grief affects all members of a family, with each responding in their own way to the loss. By sticking with her father, the young girl is able to strengthen her resilience and ability to cope with one of life's harshest experiences. The author was encouraged to seek publication for this story after receiving the endorsement of several grief counsellors who work with children and who recognised the need for a book such as this.' (Publication summary)

'Danny is frightened of his dad. Every night he goes to bed and pretends to be asleep. He listens to his dad mistreating his mum. Danny thinks his life is normal until he goes on a sleepover at his best friend Alex's house. Alex's dad is kind and fun to be with, and Danny feels happy.

'Danny wishes his dad could be more like Alex's dad.

'But what can he do?

'Brave Danny is about a small boy who makes a difference by being brave enough to speak up.' (Publication summary)

'Abby's mum is the new lollipop lady at school. How embarrassing! ... until Mum shows how seriously she takes her job of keeping Abby and her friends safe. A fun story with an important message to respect the job your local lollipop lady... or man does.' (Publication summary)

'These days, Bayden is a happy and confident boy. There was a time, not long ago, when Bayden worried about everything, ALL of the time. That was, until he discovered the power of Happythoughts! Join Bayden's journey as he goes in search of his happythoughts - you'll never guess where he finds them! This clever story has been written and illustrated to help children learn that by changing their thoughts, they can change their feelings. A simple strategy to help children take control of their anxiety!' (Production summary)