Cirrus@Austlit

'Billy loves Harmony Day. He loves the colours, the clothes and especially the food. This year Tayta is making kaak, a Lebanese treat, for Billy to share with his class but he can't share the recipe because Tayta bakes with a secret ingredient.

'Tayta's Secret Ingredient is a heart-warming intergenerational story about everyday life in multicultural Australia, where a curious boy takes centre stage alongside his beloved baking grandmother.' (Publication summary)

''Jeddo's Suitcase' reveals the treasures and memories hidden safely inside the suitcase of a Lebanese migrant. Jeddo showcases his letters, photographs, cassette tapes and other items he's kept inside his suitcase to his granddaughter and explains and describes the significance of each item. 'Jeddo's Suitcase' is a nostalgic story of home, love and the migration experience as lived by an older generation of people.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Tayta’s life changed a lot when she immigrated from Lebanon.  She learnt to speak a new language, got a job in a factory and learnt to drive a car.  But one thing that never changed, was the food she cooked for her family.

'On Sundays, Tayta prepares a traditional breakfast for her family.  As she cooks and prepares the food, the things she sees, the sounds she hears and the food she eats remind her of her childhood and her old life in Lebanon.

'Tayta Remembers celebrates the role food plays in shaping our lives and telling our stories. It is a celebration of culture, history and heritage and offers readers an opportunity to learn about a time and place of long ago.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Lucy worries about everything and she worries a lot. She’s so skilled at worrying that she worries about new and interesting things no one else even thinks about! But when Mrs Hunt tells the class there is going to be a school musical, Lucy decides she wants to be a part of it. She’s too worried to try out for any of the parts but Mrs Hunt finds the perfect role for her. Being a piece of the landscape may not suit everyone but Lucy puts everything into being the best tree she can, and with a sprinkle of courage she stands proud and tall even as her knees knock and her tummy ties in knots. She becomes the best tree anyone can ever remember!'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Brave-bottomed Wombat is the story of a mother wombat who shelters her young wombat and other injured animals in her burrow during a bushfire. It is a story of courage, hope and community that is intended to help children heal some of the trauma that comes with living through through a bushfire.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Starting School Can be Scary Sometimes!

'Edward is anxious to start knight-school. He puts on his armour, prepared for battle. It’s sure to be terrifying with all those ogres and dragons about. But at school, Edward is befriended by an ogre who offers him some of her lunch. Edward soon realizes that maybe things aren’t as bad as they first seemed. In fact, his armour was holding him back. As he learns to let his guard down, magic and fun await and Edward realizes the dragons and ogres he feared are actually just like him.'

(Source: publisher's blurb)

'Liam and Kai are the best of friends. They do everything together. Each day in the park they race around in their box cars, pretending to be everything from policemen chasing down bad guys to chauffeurs driving around movie stars! One day they notice a little girl watching them -- she's keen to join in and they're happy to be her friends too, but with only two box cars to play with it seems someone's going to be left out. The Box Cars is a fun-filled story of friendship, sharing and creative problem-solving that will appeal to boys and girls everywhere!'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Book lives at the library and desperately wants to go outside, but is intimidated by all the things that might happen ‘out there’. Meanwhile, Emma loves visiting the library and delights in the many adventures to be had in the stories she finds there. When Emma meets Book, they find they are just what each other needs. Children and parents alike will enjoy this story about being brave, taking risks, and living to tell the tale!'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Phoebe wants to know why her Mummy and Mumma aren’t married. She’s mighty confused when Mumma tells her that the Prime Minister won’t let them – but she’s not going to let that stop her. Phoebe gets busy organising a surprise wedding and everyone is invited, even the PM! But will he make it to the party on time?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.