AustLit

'Henry the hermit crab is done with his dull life on the dim ocean floor. He wants glamour and drama! He wants dazzle and splash! He wants to be known as Fabulous Crab! But when Fab bedazzles himself in a bit too much bling, he might have landed himself in deep water …

'I’m Fabulous Crab! is a sparkling spectacle of a story about embracing who you are and wearing your true colours (and a touch of glitter) with pride.' (Publication summary)

'The first middle-grade novel from award-winning author Nicki Greenberg, this book is a classic whodunnit mystery set aboard a grand ocean liner in the 1920s. With first-class glitz and glamour and a deliciously plotted intrigue featuring an uppity stage star, a missing diamond, a leopard and a loveable cast of child sleuths, The Detective's Guide to Ocean Travel is an exciting romp on the high seas, perfect for fans of Murder Most Unladylike and The Good Thieves.' (Publication summary)

'Presents! Games! Cake! Everyone loves a party, right?

'Well, not everyone. And definitely not Kit.

'THE CHAOS.

'THE CHILDREN.

'THE CHASEY!

It’s more than a cat can bear! All Kit wants is a quiet place to hide away from the noise. And maybe he’s not the only one . . .

'A shout-out (whisper) to the not-so-loud, with treats for every kind of party guest.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'This is my favourite T-shirt.

'I brought it to Australia from my old home.

'My family came here after a long journey.

'It was hard at first, but now I love my new home!'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Through the velvety night, in whispering flight, 
Bats hurry homeward to hide from the light.
Eager to huddle away from the sun,
Cosy and comfortable . . .
All except one.

'Meet Bitsy, a cheeky little bat with daring dreams. Nocturnal Bitsy wants to discover what life is like when the sun comes up. But is the daytime ready for Bitsy?'  (Publication summary)

'The minute we saw Miss Kraken, we all knew it was going to be a bad year.

'She's cranky. She's strict. She's just plain … weird. Miss Kraken is definitely not the teacher the kids were hoping for. But she might have a surprise or two up her sleeves.

'A hilarious tale of bad behaviour and unexpected consequences.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'What's a witch to do? Zelda is back teaching her class again, but she's having a lot of trouble keeping her magic under control. The kids are fascinated by her powers, but witches aren't supposed to do party tricks, are they? Especially when there's an impressionable young witchling in the class and the vice principal is on the warpath. Soon both Zelda and Phoebe are battling unruly magic, peer pressure and a seriously mean PE teacher. And then there's the weird smell . . .'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Up from the darkness, he springs from his hole . . . Explorer! Enthusiast! MORRIS THE MOLE! With a twirl of his spade and a twitch of his nose, Morris makes TUNNELS wherever he goes. Will Morris dig his way to trouble? Or will his hard work pay off in an unexpected way? Morris's adventures underground (and above) are hugely entertaining and full of joy.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Zelda Stitch isn't much of a witch—she's hoping she'll make a better primary teacher. But if the vice principal finds out, her dream will go up in smoke. But keeping her magic secret isn't the only trouble bubbling in Zelda's classroom. Enchanted doughnuts, inflatable slides and magic cats, nothing is what you would expect in this hilarious book about a slightly incompetent witch who is determined to be a good teacher!'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Who wants to join the Meerkat choir? The meerkat choirmaster will only allow meerkats in his choir. But singing is fun and all the other animals want to join in too. A wonderfully funny picture book about the folly of excluding others from your group, it combines everyone’s favourite things: Meerkats and singing!'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'This year, Ruby the reindeer causes serious disruption to Santa's delivery schedule and to the school Christmas concert. With Ruby in the mix, the show might not go on AND Christmas presents might not be delivered at all . . . Ruby the reindeer makes Christmas Eve more entertaining than ever before!'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'The hilarious adventures of Dash - a highly unusual pet who gets up to all kinds of mischief.

'Dash is badly behaved at puppy school, he chews things that he shouldn't, he makes puddles on the floor, he wrecks the garden, and he steals food off the bench when no one is looking. Perfectly standard puppy behaviour. But Dash is far from an ordinary pet - and his inquisitive nature and insatiable appetite get him in all kinds of trouble.

'A highly entertaining and hilarious picture book that celebrates the ups and downs of pet-ownership - and the power of imagination.' (Publication summary)

'Worm is a funny, gentle story about an earthworm who accidentally discovers life above the ground. Worm lives underground, munching through the earth and life is pretty predictable — or so he thinks.

'Worm is also a playful meditation on the way we perceive the world, and how our understanding and expectations are often limited by our particular experiences and point of view.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Ruby the excitable reindeer is determined to have another calamitous Christmas! This time at the South Pole - with penguins and seals and sharks and whales all joining in the adventure.

''I'm zippy! I'm snappy! I'm raring to go.'

''You're NAUGHTY,' said Rudolf. 'The answer is NO.'

'If only Mrs Claus had listened! Letting Ruby lead the sleigh is a recipe for disaster. Ruby's wild ride lands her in a world of trouble, and very far from home. Poor Ruby is stranded, the presents are scattered... and the local penguins are very, very grumpy. How can the naughtiest reindeer avert a Christmas disaster this time?

'Another hilarious adventure featuring everyone's favourite irrepressible reindeer.' (Publication summary)

'Once again, the delightfully cheeky Ruby the reindeer is causing all kinds of chaos on Christmas Eve.

''I miss Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen! Oh, Comet! Oh, Cupid! Oh, Donner and Blitzen! And big brother Rudolph! I wish they were here!' Sobbed the naughtiest, loneliest little reindeer.

'This Christmas, Ruby's family is visiting Granny and Pop, whose house full of breakable items is not the place for a very naughty reindeer. So Ruby is sent to the zoo for the holidays, and she has to bunk in with the stuck-up antelopes and the fussy zebras, which is no fun at all for an excitable reindeer.

'So on Christmas Eve, Ruby opens all the enclosures hoping for fabulous festivities and feasting - and creates chaos! With all the animals on the loose, and Santa delayed from delivering all his presents - how can Ruby right her wrongs and save Christmas for everyone?

'Ruby is at her mischievous best in this rollicking Christmas treat.' (Publication summary)

'Dot loves Teddy, and Teddy loves Dot. So when Teddy goes missing, she misses him a lot!

'But Teddy is a brave bear. What wonderful adventures will he have when he rides away on the train? Will there be picnics? Will there be parties? Will he have time for a nap? And most importantly, will he find his way home to Dot - or will she never see him again?

'A thoroughly delightful picture book about courage, resilience and imagination.' (Publication summary)

An actor called Ophelia, while waiting backstage to play the Shakespearean character Ophelia, is interviewed by an entertainment reporter. They discuss, with rising irritation on Ophelia’s part, her drowning in the play as though it were a real event. A look at the conflation of real and fictional in current popular media, with a critique of the effects of a masculinist canon on women in the creative arts.

'Rudolf the reindeer was lying in bed with a runny red nose and an ache in his head. 'I'm sorry,' he groaned. 'I just can't pull a sled. You'll have to ask my sister Ruby instead.'

'It's the night before Christmas and Rudolf is sneezing his little red nose off. So Santa needs another reindeer to help pull the sleigh. Rudolf's sister Ruby is a little reindeer who always finds herself in BIG trouble. Will she find a way to bring her best behaviour? Or will she bring chaos to Christmas Day?

'A cheeky and charming celebration of the Christmas spirit.' (Publisher's blurb)