Cirrus@Austlit

'After a long day at the zoo Lachie the lion just can't seem to fall asleep. A story of friendship and working together, Tilly the tiger has an idea. Along with the other zoo animals she tries to help Lachie. Join the friends as each one adds their own unique song to create a zoo lullaby. Click on the video below to hear the author reading the book.' (Publication summary)

'What begins with one goat and one hill becomes a community, and that’s fun for everyone! In this beautiful and classically illustrated children's book the animals climb up the hill until they are all on top, and then they go back down again.

'One at a time, up the hill. Two at a time, “Yes, we will.”

'The words are rhythmic, fun and engaging, and the illustrations also promote numeracy. Can you find the hidden numbers on each page?' (Publication summary)

'Two honourable men – both dramatically transformed by their participation in the Afghanistan conflict and their struggle to control their individual, manifestly affected lives.

David Makerson, an Australian Infantry Captain is severely wounded on a routine patrol by an IED explosion. During his rehabilitation, he lapses into depression and anomie; he becomes a shadow of his former self.

'Saarim Darwish becomes head of his family after his father is executed by the Taliban. Saarim’s plans to attend university and study engineering are destroyed as he is forcibly recruited by the insurgents to join their network to construct roadside bombs.

'Makerson needs to remember and take control over his life. Dangerously under-equipped, he returns to Afghanistan to exact his revenge. Enter Major Hannah Jardine; a military psychologist or the leader of a covert Special Forces operation to locate and cripple the major bomb-making cell in Eastern Afghanistan. Why is she so fixated on Makerson? Who is she really working for?

'Makerson’s War explores their journeys of survival as they all deal with their respective situations and with those allies and enemies with whom they come in contact. Morality and values become a secondary consideration when their individual existence is threatened.' (Publication summary)

'Detective Dean Matthews is back on the force and he needs to solve this intriguing murder mystery.

'A mystery of life, love and revenge.

'The peaceful Adelaide Hills town of Ashcombe, still reeling from the murder of its local baker, is once again a major crime scene when the local butcher is found dead in his cool room. 

'Having served their time in Vietnam, three men return to their lives and their wives in the hills’ communities of Ashcombe and Wattle Creek.

'It soon becomes clear that the war has changed them and the snowballing effects on their families, leads to tragedy.

'Friends Bev, Anne and Carol had not expected their lives would be forever haunted by these changes in their husbands. How will they protect their families from unravelling?

'Judith Lees vividly describes the lives and lies of those being investigated by Detective Dean Mathews and his old partner Detective Graham Solomon. But as they narrow down the list of suspects has Dean become distracted by his grief, love and loyalty?

'Is everything what it seems in these idyllic hills’ towns? 

'First it was the bakers, then the butchers… who will be next?' (Publication summary)

'This collection of poems by Nick Hughes is diverse and inspiring. The poems range from powerful social insights to intense personal explorations to light-hearted tilts at the great and not so great in society. Many of the poems were written and first read to the Mount Lofty Rangers walking group as Nick Hughes explored the beautiful Adelaide Hills with them. And so, there are poems that sing with the joys and delights of nature. There are many sonnets in the collection and these poems display a developing enchantment and fascination with the form. The combination of lyrical musicality and rhythmic symmetry is by turns surprising and bewitching. Nick Hughes skilfully wrestles both personal subjects and wider social issues into the constraints of the sonnet and makes them flow naturally. Some of the later sonnets are deliberately regular, allowing the metre and rhyme to amplify the meanings. Many of the poems are deeply personal and revealing but that is the point of poetry: to express meanings in ways that reverberate within the hearts and minds of others; to find words whose beauty and truth can resonate in human souls. Not every poem in this collection does that of course – some of them just seek to make the reader chuckle a bit – but the variety and range of the collection is very entertaining.' (Publication summary)

'Have you ever seen a butterfly land on the ground Then flip and flap and flutter away? Have you ever wondered what the butterfly is doing today, and hoped it wouldn't fly too far away? Join Waylon’s adventures through the garden as he encounters the many interesting plants and creatures who live there.' (Publication summary)

'Aiden Strong can see dead people. As far back as he can remember Aiden has interacted with the Others. But no-one else can see them. Why?Aiden is connected to these ghosts by Trancey Strings that wrap around him and sprawl out through to the Dead World of Quiziria. Aiden doesn't like his ability and thinks it is a curse. He desperately wants to be rid of these ghostly connections. When Aiden meets Vincent his fate will change forever. Can Vincent help Aiden to restart his life with the living, or will everything he loves be destroyed forever?' (Publication summary)

'“For 75 years I have lived with many dogs, mostly rescued dogs. Dogs are my heart and in my soul, they are my loves and my companions and have been with me since my father first took me home after my birth and put me with the dogs in a playpen with the cushions all around to keep me safe and warm, to feel touch love and their beating hearts. This memoir is my and their stories from over the years of being together. The stories still continue today with my beautiful companions.”

'Dogs choose to live with humans, they give unconditional love. For Catherine Johns they are her great love. With her dogs she has met amazing people, in the streets or on the beach, shared fascinating stories and heard how dogs have saved other people in many ways, the connection being our love of dogs.' (Publication summary)

'A beautiful island with a dark past. Kangaroo Island off the rugged coast of South Australia, is the perfect place for a family holiday - but it is a little island with a big secret. When the new police constable Dudley 'Deadly' Nicholls arrives on the Island, after a turbulent career on the mainland and an equally choppy ferry ride, he is expected to tow-the-line. But when he stumbles across a dark secret, he fights against all odds to uncover the truth. He soon discovers that things are not what they seem in this idyllic tourist destination. With the Island's famous Flinders Chase Cup set to go ahead, the high rollers are flying in and heading down to the luxurious Acacia Bay Resort. Ambitious and resourceful Mayor Don Ferris is hatching a plan to boost the local economy, which doesn't involve budget backpackers. Meanwhile, environmentalist Kurt Nilsen has other plans when he embarks on a four day trek along the southern coast of 'Killer Island'. Robert Koehne's vivid descriptions of the island's beautiful scenery and local characters will have you enthralled as you unravel the dark secrets lurking on the Island.'  (Publication summary)

'When rivals Alex Venice and Kit Martinez are forced to work together to bravely guard the four realms, their volatile partnership is put to the test. When the Queen of the Winter Realm suddenly falls ill, Kit the daughter of the Goddess of Snow is blamed for spreading the disease and threatening the life of the Queen. To prove her innocence Kit and Alex must venture to each of the realms to find the ingredients needed to cure the Queen. Although they only have seven days in which to do it. Each ingredient leads them on an adventure and as each day passes their true feelings for each other are revealed.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'These lines are occasional, not because they were written from time to time, although they were, of course; rather they were each written for, and on a particular occasion.  Many were birthdays, some public events and others private between family and friends. Poetry brings together words in a way that enhances their meaning, and leads to deeper understanding. Occasional Lines is a collection of poems by the author Peter Gilchrist who has a reputation as a skilful user of words.'  (Publication summary)

'Set during the apartheid era in South Africa, a series of murders brings a divided community together. When the families of school friends Pumla and Nandipha move to the new Estate on the outskirts of the city, there is no school for them to attend. While their parents work on the farms or up in the main houses, and only after they have completed their chores for the day, these girls visit each other to practice the schoolwork they remember. Everything changes on the day Pumla meets someone on the bush path on the way to her friend’s house. Kate and Robert, acutely aware of their privilege, dream of a brighter future and dare to build a farm school for the children of the workers. While Thabo investigates the murder suspects, Zom gets a job constructing the new school building. Nandipha and her friends can’t wait to start school again, but the murders continue. Uncomfortable truths are revealed and lives are shattered. The oppressiveness of the time is contrasted with the warmth of new friendships and new opportunities. This is the story of the many characters that went against a system designed to divide them, and in doing so united the community towards a common goal.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'100 Self Penned songs, poems and stories of history, hope and humour, by renowned folk singer and poet Dave Clark. This 216pp volume of sheet music, lyrics, stories and poems is an historical archive of life, love and music in South Australia and beyond. A must musical resource for all folks, especially musicians and teachers.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'The Silent Syringe is a murder mystery set in the Adelaide Hills and follows the lives of people connected with the towns’ bakeries. The body of a baker is discovered lying on the floor at the Wattle Creek Bakery surrounded with flour and no visible means of how the murder occurred. Sally and Dean are all set to expand their thriving bakery to other towns and to welcome the birth of their first child when tragedy strikes. Detective Graham Solomon, Detective Peterson and Sally’s husband, Detective Dean Matthews are determined to solve the mystery of these despicable crimes. The story connects with the interwoven lives of people who have no means of escaping from their backgrounds. Harry believes that life couldn’t be better when his baby Chloe is born, his wife Janice doesn’t agree. Psychiatric sister Paula Jones can’t believe that she is being blackmailed by one of her patients. Hearts are broken and lives destroyed in this intriguing mystery of lies, love and revenge.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.