Cirrus@Austlit

'World War 1 is imminent. The British Navy, the largest in the world, is for the first time in a century under serious threat.

'Luckily, fate is ready to play its part. So when the lives of three very different characters converge , the course of World War 1 – and history – are, luckily, transformed.

'The eccentric female archaeologist Gertrude Bell explores Persia. The charismatic Englishman Jackie Fisher is Admiral of the Fleet and battles to convince the Navy to modernise. And William D’Arcy, a determined Queensland businessman founds the Persian oil industry.

'The interactions of these extraordinary personalities shine a light on one of the most dramatic periods of the twentieth century.

'Set in Australia, the Middle East and England, this rollicking tale reveals how the achievements of a few – and more than a touch of serendipity – lead to the British Navy switching their fleet from coal to oil, from standard battleships to dreadnoughts, and so winning WW1.

'Love weaves throughout the historical events, as our protagonists fall in love, marry, conduct passionate affairs and also mourn great tragedies.

From Persia to London to Far North Queensland and Gallipoli, the three heroes are surrounded by a host of famous (and infamous) characters, from Winston Churchill and T. E. Lawrence, to the new King Edward VII and the Kaiser and many more.'(Publication summary)

'A remarkable family memoir by New Zealand-born, Sydney-based author Paul Ashford Harris, the son of a baronet and the grandson of infamous occultist Lady Frieda Harris. Odd Boy Out is the story of one eccentric family that spans continents, generations and social class.

'When Paul Ashford Harris receives a phone call to say his childhood home has burned to the ground, he begins a fascinating journey to reclaim the history of his eccentric family and its relationship to New Zealand from the beginning of colonisation.

'We meet his highly respectable Victorian grandfather, Sir Percy Harris, an eminent member of the House of Commons. His grandmother, the highly bohemian Lady Frieda Harris, an artist, suffragette, friend of Emily Pankhurst, and the infamous occultist Aleister Crowley, for whom she painted the famous Thoth Tarot cards.

'Then there’s his eternally distant parents, whose idea of parenthood was giving birth as swiftly as possible, immediately appointing a nanny and arranging a couple of satisfactory boarding schools.

'Taking you on a remarkable journey from the politics of London’s East End, to the early years of the Australian gold rush and rise and fall of the family business Bing Harris, Odd Boy Out is at its core a poignant memoir that examines the legacy you are given – whether good or bad – and how it shapes you into the person you are today.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Journey through the Great Barrier Reef with Waru the Green Sea Turtle as she finds a safe place to lay her eggs in this entertaining and educational children’s picture book, which teaches children about the issues impacting this beautiful marine creature.

'Waru the green sea turtle hatches from her egg in the sand and quickly heads for the safety of the ocean. She grows up healthy and strong on the beautiful Great Barrier Reef, and she always makes sure to avoid humans and sharks. But when the time comes for Waru to lay her own eggs, she can’t find anywhere safe – the beach she remembers has been replaced by rows of big houses. Thankfully, she’s got a surprising sea friend to help her.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Mr and Mrs Kookaburra gave their three chicks, Caroline, Castanet and Koko, laughing lessons. After a while they began to notice there was a problem. Koko wasn't laughing at all.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'William was a very clever young wallaby. He could do his six times table, knew his ABC and even knew the names of Australia’s longest rivers. He knew what food was good to eat and what food was bad for him, and he knew never to argue with snakes. But William couldn’t jump.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

Bam was a small pink and white bilby. His real name was Bim Bam Bong but no one knew why so his friends just called him Bam. Early one morning, as Bam was snuffling around in the scrub looking for food, a wild cat jumped out from behind a tree stump and scared him. Find out how Bam and his animal friends defended their home from a new predator.