AustLit

'Down below the giant rumbled, All around us buildings crumbled, Newcastle began to shake ... ‘Quake!’ yelled someone. ‘Out! Earthquake!’

'From the award-winning creators of Flood, Fire, Cyclone, Drought and Pandemic.'

Source : publisher's blurb

''Joy comes in the morning'

'It's Christmas Eve in 1932, and Joey, Ellie and their parents are droving cattle in the drought.

'How will Santa find them on the long and dusty road? And will there be pudding and presents and a tree in the morning?

'But Joey knows that Christmas always comes.' (Publication summary)

'On January 10, Ben touched the hearts of Australians with the reading of his poem To My Country in response to the Australian bushfires. This gorgeous 4 colour book combines Ben's heartfelt words with stunning illustrations by Bruce Whatley.

'Ben Lawson was preparing for another Christmas away from home when the Black Summer bushfires began to burn their way across Australia's eastern coast. As the bushfires continued to rage into the new year on an unprecedented scale, Ben, feeling angry, helpless and broken-hearted as he watched the devastation from across the ocean, sat down and put his feelings into words. To My Country is an ode to the endurance of the Australian spirit and the shared love of our country.

'In the true Aussie spirit, Ben and Allen & Unwin will be donating proceeds of To My Country to The Koala Hospital.' (Publication summary)

'The war carried the Spanish flu across the world. Faces grew masks. Shops and schools wore signs that said, Closed. Families nursing the sick drew their curtains together to say their house was quarantined... From the award-winning creators of Flood, Fire, Cyclone and Drought, comes this powerful story of humanity prevailing during a pandemic.' (Publication summary)

'The extraordinary true story of survival that became an international bestseller and was made into the award-winning film, Lion, starring Nicole Kidman and Dev Patel. Now a stunning picture book illustrated by award-winning illustrator Bruce Whatley.
Can you imagine being lost and not finding your way home again?
'Saroo Brierley became lost on a train in India when he was only five. He survived for weeks on the streets, before being taken into an orphanage and adopted by his Australian family.
'Despite being happy, Saroo always wondered about where he was from. And one day, after years of searching, he miraculously found what he was looking for.
'This incredible true story celebrates the importance of hope and never giving up.' (Publication summary)

'This classic tale about a race between a confident hare and a humble tortoise has been illustrated and retold by Australian children’s books creator, Bruce Whatley.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Whether big or small, slow or fast, friends can come in all shapes and sizes.

'My friends are the best because they are all different... what about yours?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Dippy the diprotodon is the BIGGEST and friendliest wombat who lived 100,000 years ago.

'Dippy has dug a new hole. A BIG hole, which leads him to a strange new world - and even stranger new friends. But do these giant creatures really just want to play?

'Based on a concept by Ben Smith Whatley and brought to life by the creators of the internationally bestselling Diary of a Wombat, this is an hilarious story of prehistoric daring and chaos set in the fascinating world of ancient Australian megafauna.'   (Publication summary)

'She eats, she sleeps, she scratches. But today it's Mothball's birthday and it's time to celebrate!'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Dippy is a diprotodon, the BIGGEST, friendliest wombat who lived 100,000 years ago. All Dippy wants is happy friends, a place to sleep and lots to eat. Who knew that could be such an adventure?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A touching and uplifting story about love, change and the importance of the natural environment in all our lives. One tall tree on the mountain once marked Grandfather’s farm. Now there is a busy city and Grandfather lives with us in our apartment.

Once he told stories but now he stays silent. Until one day, in the city market, I find something precious . . . something that brings Grandfather’s memories alive again.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'I remember when rain stopped, 
When day by day the water dropped, 
All across a sun-bleached land, 
Drought spread its withered, deadly hand. 

'From the award-winning creators of Flood, Fire and Cyclone comes Drought a moving story about the devastating effects drought has on many Australians and their farms.'  (Publication summary)

'Ruben’s dreams were of places that made no sense to him.

'Places that didn’t exist. At least not anymore.

'Ruben lives in a safe place in a city that takes everything and gives nothing back. He begins to feel that he is in danger and ventures to Block City where he meets Koji. She too has been hiding from the dangers of the industrial city and its excesses. Ruben and Koji realise that if they combine their knowledge of how the city works they can find a way to escape . . . together. 

(Publication summary)

'Danny da Vinci and his best friend Mick Angelo are adventurers - artistic adventurers - who share a passion for painting and sculpture. Every year the Duke of Milan holds an art exhibition, and this year the Duke has asked Danny's Uncle Leo to paint his portrait. Danny and Mick want to enter something in the exhibition too, something special. Danny's sister Lisa has an idea, but why should they listen to her? She's such a moaner! Ages: 8+' (Publication summary)

'One keen koala and all his animal friends are ready for school! Count along in this beautiful introduction to the fun of school from two of Australia’s favourite award-winning picture book creators.' (Publication summary)

'Pile the presents by the tree/ Though clouds spiral out at sea./ Wind snarls, skies weep grey/ But Santa's sleigh is on its way!

'Christmas Eve 1974 is marked indelibly into the Australian psyche, as the night tropical Cyclone Tracy devastated the city of Darwin. Now, over 40 years later, Jackie French's lyrical rhyming text tells the story of a city's indomitable spirit, and Bruce Whatley's sumptuous illustrations bring to life the powerful force of the storm to a whole new generation of readers.' (Publication summary)

'On my first day, I will meet new friends and learn new things . . . What about you? Whether big or small, feathered or furry, the first day of school can be a lot of fun! Beautifully illustrated with delightful animals, My First Day at School captures the fun of learning and making new friends at school.' (Publication summary)

'From the award-winning, best-selling creators of DIARY OF A WOMBAT comes another Wombat picture book - this time about more senior members of the species. Ages: 3+

It is said that becoming a grandparent is one of life's greatest joys, and Mothball certainly enjoys the pleasure of looking after the adorable new baby wombat. But like all new babies, this little fellow is so active ... and curious ... He sure does get up to all sorts of mischief, which is pretty hard on a granny who does love to eat, sleep and scratch.' (Publication summary)