Cirrus@Austlit

'Did you know that platypus have retractable webbing on their hind feet to enable an easy transition from swimming to digging? That kangaroos can’t sweat and that the cassowary has no tongue?

'In Fauna - Australia’s Most Curious Creatures, readers are constantly introduced to facts that delight, amaze and induce sheer wonder at the clever design and adaptability of our much-loved native fauna.

'The information on each individual species is presented in small ‘bites’ to hold the interest of younger readers, while the information taken in total gives a comprehensive summary of each species, including breeding and feeding habits, physical characteristics, habitat and other unique and quirky features.

'Fauna also has a strong conservation message with an ‘extinction roll call’ and a rating for the vulnerability of endangered species.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Join Billie the dolphin on this perilous adventure as she sets off to find the biggest wave - the hugest of huge, the giant of giants - a wave that makes her feel happy, safe and free. Billie travels across the ocean, saving new friends from pollution, huge drift nets, whaling and much more. This eye-opening story draws attention to the human-made dangers for dolphins and our oceans.'  (Publication summary)

'This is what the fairies never wanted you to know...

'Edge Tanning gets things done. She vanquished the shadows that were threatening Sanctuary, she saved her best friend from the Valley--and she called the power of Sanctuary, magical home of the fairies, to life. So now that Sanctuary's broken, obviously, she has to fix it.

'Only problem is, she's not used to working alone--and this time, none of her friends want to help. In fact, when Edge senses Sanctuary mysteriously appearing around her while she's at school, her friends won't even believe her.

'And that's before she learns that time in Sanctuary isn't just running out--it's skipping sideways. This may just be too big for one teen girl to handle.

'Brace yourself for the exciting conclusion to the Sanctuary series: this is what the fairies have been hiding.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

With its enticing and colourful design and its fascinating information, this is a book that children will want to pore over-either at home, in the classroom or on a road trip. This book brings together 55 national parks, selected across all Australian states and territories, and over 120 animals. It is divided into seven sections according to habitat (woodlands and grasslands; forests; rainforests; arid zones; mountains; wetlands and waterways; coasts, oceans and islands), each including a number of national parks and a selection of the fish, reptiles, frogs, birds and mammals that inhabit them. At the end of the book is a section on 'little critters'-beetles, spiders, butterflies, grasshoppers, bugs and so on. Each habitat section opens with photographs of the featured national parks and a description of the habitat. Each animal has its own page, which has a stunning colour photograph of the species, a map of its distribution range, its conservation status and scientific information about the species. The information is divided into the following sections: 'Fast Facts' gives you all the vital statistics, such as size, lifespan and number of young; 'Where Does It Live?' tells you where in Australia you can find the species and provides details about its home; 'What's Its Life Like?' tells you a bit about how the animal moves, behaves, eats and has young; and 'Interesting Info' has quirky and fascinating facts. (Source: Publication Summary)

'Horace is a very big horse with an even bigger heart. Every day he pulls the baker’s cart and helps Old William, Big Bill and Young Billy take bread, buns and other doughy delights to all the people in the town. But when a terrible flu makes everyone sick, who is going to deliver the bread to hungry families? ' (Publication summary)

'Meet Ned, Lily, Zoe, Kirra and Matilda — Australian children representing a multicultural blend of culture and race that typifies our beautiful country. They are taking you through a year in the life of Australian kids, from celebrations to traditions to events, to our everyday way of life. They are Australia.

'An Aussie Year is a picture book bursting with national pride. It is a snapshot of who we are as a nation, and covers our modern day culture, lifestyle and traditions. Its pages feature trailing, meandering text, dates and gorgeous illustrations showing our five Aussie children at play, at school, at home, and enjoying their parts of Australia — from the tropical north out to our rugged west and beautiful Tassie.' (Publisher's blurb)