Cirrus@Austlit

'365 Real-Life Superheroes is packed full of real stories about true superheroes: from Galileo to Greta Thunberg – or, in Australia, from Eddie Mabo to Lowitja O'Donoghue.

'Among the heroes profiled are sportspeople, scientists, journalists, explorers, doctors, astronauts, musicians, artists and activists. Each has been chosen because they display a particular heroic attribute: courage, intelligence, creativity, determination, justice or generosity.

'This charming illustrated collection of stories will entertain and, above all, inspire young readers.' (Publication summary)

'It starts from the premise that neurodiversity (conditions like Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia and the like) is a normal, essential part of human biodiversity – without it we don’t get Picasso, Einstein or Greta Thunberg! Yes, neurodiverse kids sometimes require a bit of extra help and patience, but they should never be viewed as disordered. Some Brains encourages us all look for our strengths and to understand that brains are like fingerprints – uniquely, wonderfully ours.

'All brains are special,

'Why does each koala in a zoo need 1000 trees? How do you check a Tree-kangaroo’s pouch for joeys? Why is a wombat’s poo square-shaped? And how do dogs help look after ‘extinct’ bandicoots?

Discover all this and more, as we take you behind the scenes of a modern Australian zoo and animal hospital. Find out what it’s really like to be a zookeeper and hear their funny and fascinating stories about the animals they look after – from the koala who regularly escapes her cage, to cheeky Tasmanian devil cubs nipping the keepers’ ankles for food; and from Jess, the majestic wedge-tailed eagle, to tiny but precious frogs and skinks.

These delightful and fascinating stories for children aged 9 to 12 reveal the essential role of zoos today, from preserving and rehabilitating endangered species to making groundbreaking scientific discoveries and uncovering more about how animals think.

Packed full of fascinating facts, Ninja Bandicoots and Turbo-Charged Wombats is the perfect read for animal-loving kids.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'This is the story of a boy called Bob. He’s a little scrawny, a little scruffy, and he likes to sniff footballs (weird). But he has the game in his veins and he’s determined to be one of the greats, like his hero from the mighty Tigers, Matthew Richardson.

'The Amazing Adventures of Grover McBane, Rescue Dog brings together the five classic stories of this inspirational dog into one book for the first time. Proudly supporting the work of Sydney Dogs and Cats Home.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Some Boys is the second in a series of kids books aimed at challenging old-fashioned stereotypes about boys and girls.

'It is a story about how everyone is different and special in their own way.

'Your boy might like rough, tough, gentle or pretty stuff. He might wear shirts, skirts, hats or plaits. He might get sad sometimes, and mad sometimes. He might feel shy sometimes and want to fly sometimes!

'Some Boys says it's all good - all boys can be whoever they want.

'Written by Australian comedian Nelly Thomas, Some Boys encourages all boys to be free of stereotypes and other kids - and adults - to allow them to be.

'Read Some Boys and Some Girls with the young kids in your life and show them early that . . . 'All kids can be whoever they want'! ' (Publication summary)
 

'Meshel Laurie is all too aware that she’s probably a very bad Buddhist, but every day she puts her energy into improving. She works in television and radio, creates podcasts, writes columns and books, and parents twins – so she also knows a thing or two about the mad juggle of modern life.

'In this collection of new and previously published writing, Meshel explores everything from the meaning of friendship to the travails of online dating, from mammograms to mid-life crises. With candid humour, she reveals her horror of family holidays after becoming stranded in Bali and reflects on what it was like to meet his one and only Holiness, the Dalai Lama. This is Meshel at her funniest and most relatable.'  (Publication summary)

'A time-travel adventure for young budding scientists

'Ten-year-old Mary has always wanted to win a Nobel Prize. She loves running her own science experiments at home. But how can she become a real scientist and win the greatest prize of all?

'One day Mary stumbles on a secret meeting of Nobel Prize winners. Swearing her to secrecy, Dr Barry Marshall agrees to be her guide as she travels around the world and through time to learn the secrets behind some of the most fascinating and important scientific discoveries. They talk space and time with Albert Einstein, radiation with Marie Curie, DNA with Crick, Watson and Wilkins – and much more.

'How to Win a Nobel Prize is a funny, fascinating adventure story for ages 9 to 12, and includes experiments that young scientists can do themselves at school or at home.' (Introduction)

'Some girls are good with cars and bikes. Some girls are good with art and kites. Some girls are good with puzzles and maths. And some girls are good with dolls and cats.

'Some Girls is a story about how everyone is different and special in their own way. It’s about knowing that you can do, and be, anything you want.' (Publication Summary)

'More and more families today are being created with the assistance of IVF technologies, but the process can be confusing and intimidating – especially for children who want to know where they came from. In this charming and heartwarming picture book, follow one family’s IVF journey, from meeting their doctor for the first time to welcoming their special baby into the world!' (Publication Summary)

'Grace Parker tries to figure out how to handle the 3Bs: boys, boy bands and ball sports.

'Things were simple for netball nerd Grace Parker at primary school. She was captain of her school team – and with her best friends, Stella and Mia, by her side, they won the grand final. Back then, her biggest problem was persuading her parents to buy her tickets to see Friday at Five, the world’s hottest boy band.

'But high school’s a whole new story ... Grace’s greatest rival on the court, Amber Burns, just made the same netball team as her. Her twin brother, Gus, is devastated he didn’t make the A-grade AFL side. Her older brother, Tyler, is ignoring her. And as if that wasn’t enough for a 13-year-old girl to handle, gorgeous aspiring rockstar Sebastian King is suddenly paying her a lot of attention.' (Publication Summary)

'To celebrate the first-ever elite women’s competition, A Footy Girl’s Guide to the Stars of 2017 showcases some of the key players to look out for, and reveals how they made it to the top of the women’s game. 

'Players profiled include: DAISY PEARCE, EMMA KING, KATIE BRENNAN, DARCY VESCIO, MADDY COLLIER, KARA DONNELLAN, SABRINA FREDERICK- TRAUB and ERIN PHILLIPS. What age did they start playing footy? What do they love about the game? Who are their role models? What are their greatest talents as players? Find out the answers to these questions and more. 

'Filled with inspirational stories and fun facts, A Footy Girl’s Guide is an essential read for aspiring footy stars of the future – and all kids who love their AFL.' (Publication summary)

'This is not – repeat, NOT – an iPad!

'It’s not linked. It’s not synched. There are no lights that blink.

'It’s so BORING!

'. . . or is it?

'Designed to look like a tablet computer, this delightful picture book playfully explores the joy of books in a child’s life.

'This Is A Book! (no wifi needed) will win the heart of every parent frustrated by the battle to limit screen time, and every child who has never known a world without iPads.' (Publication summary)

'Grover is so excited – he’s going on a road trip! But first his owner, Annie, has a special guest to pick up from the animal shelter.

'Squeak is a rescued kelpie puppy. He needs a new home on a farm, with lots of room to run around. But Grover has always lived in the city. How can he help Squeak find a new home?

'What will happen to Squeak?

'Where will he go?' (Publication summary)

'Grover loves living at Cavendish Lane. He has his own bed and lots of toys. It’s the best place to relax after a busy day helping his owner, Annie, at the animal shelter.

'But when a greyhound puppy called Stretch comes to stay, Grover’s life is turned upside down. Stretch has a broken leg. He also has lots of energy! Grover tries to help him look after his leg, but that’s not so easy when Stretch keeps getting it stuck in strange places . . .

'What will happen to Stretch?

'Where will he go?' (Publication summary)

'Grover McBane is a rescue dog. He's lucky - he's found his forever family. But there's a new dog at the animal shelter who needs Grover's help.'

'Benji is blind. He longs for a home of his own, with humans for company all day, but not every home is right for Benji. Can Grover help his friend find somewhere he will be loved and appreciated?'

'When Grover's owner Annie takes Benji to a nursing home, they discover they might have found the perfect solution.' (Source: Publisher's website)

'AFL legends Adam Goodes and Michael O’Loughlin are blood brothers and great mates. They are also two of the best footballers ever to play for the Sydney Swans. Between them, they played over 650 games and kicked over 900 goals.'

'But what were Goodesy and Magic like when they were kids? What kind of scrapes did they get into at school? And what was it like to go from being normal teenagers to AFL superstars? '

'Find out all this and much more in Kicking Goals, the story of Adam and Michael’s friendship in their own words, as told to Anita Heiss.'

'A new early-chapter-book adventure series about a cheeky but brave rescue dog called Grover McBane

'Grover McBane has a new home – and a new family. There’s even a cat to play with. He can’t believe his luck!

'But why is his owner taking him back to the animal shelter? And what’s a dog park?

'There are lots of surprises in store for Grover as he meets some of the other animals at the shelter, learns to play with friends, and finds out what having a family really means.' (Publication summary)

'A new early-chapter-book adventure series about a cheeky but brave rescue dog called Grover McBane.

'Grover is a brave dog, but right now he’s scared. He’s cold, wet and hungry and he doesn’t know where the Animal Ranger is taking him.

'After escaping from his owner’s yard in a thunderstorm, Grover arrives at a local animal shelter. The people there seem kind, but Grover isn’t sure he’ll be allowed to stay. His owner doesn’t seem to want him and Grover is scared to go back to the yard where he was chained up . . .

'What will happen to Grover? Where will he go?' (Publication summary)