Cirrus@Austlit

'It is pretty easy to argue that the human brain is the most extraordinary thing in the known universe. But there is so much we don’t know about the thing behind our eyes. Where do thoughts come from? Why do we dream? Why have our brains become 10% smaller over the past ten to twelve thousand years? Why do we get brain-freeze? Why!? Okay, that last one … we do know the answer to. But there is much to learn – and much fun to be had – by taking a quick poke around the human brain (which would feel a bit like tofu, or firm jelly, if you did poke it).'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Nothing seems to be going right today!

'How will Little Lion deal with her cranky feelings?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Little Zebra is feeling very kind today.

'But will his good mood be ruined when it starts to rain?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Whether we share a toy or include someone in a game, all acts of kindness – no matter how big or small – make the world a better place.

'Kindness is doing what you can, where you are, with what you have, and in Kindness Makes Us Strong, Sophie Beer introduces us to a bunch of cute kids doing just that.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Whether you have two mums, two dads, one parent, or one of each, there's one thing that makes a family a family... and that's love.

'A book for EVERY family by dazzling illustrator Sophie Beer. ' (Publication summary)

'Stella Montgomery is in disgrace, and the Aunts have decided there is only one thing to be done. She is to be sent to Wakestone Hall, a grim and dreadful boarding school where the disobedient are tamed and the wilful are made meek.

Life at school is lonely and miserable, and when a friend disappears, Stella is determined to find her - no matter the dangers that certainly lie ahead…Soon Stella is thrown deeper into the mysteries of Wakestone… and her own past.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'The third book in the best-selling RUBY RED SHOES series Ruby and her grandmother love to travel and now they are in London, the home of red buses, red telephone boxes and red letter boxes. No wonder Ruby's red shoes feel especially at home in this wonderful city! Ages: 4 - 8' (Publication summary)

'The highly anticipated sequel to 2014's runaway bestseller WITHERING-BY-SEA When Stella Montgomery returned to the Hotel Majestic cold and wet but exhilarated by adventure, the Aunts were furious. Now they are sending Stella away to the old family home at Wormwood Mire, where she must live with two strange cousins and their governess. But within the overgrown grounds of the mouldering house, dark secrets slither and skulk, and soon Stella must be brave once more if she's to find out who - or what - she really is ... From bestselling writer-illustrator Judith Rossell comes the thrilling and magical sequel to her multi-award-winning novel, WITHERING-BY-SEA. ' (Publication summary)

'High on a cliff above the gloomy coastal town of Withering-by-Sea stands the Hotel Majestic. Inside the walls of the damp, dull hotel, eleven-year-old orphan Stella Montgomery leads a miserable life with her three dreadful Aunts. But one night, Stella sees something she shouldn't have ... Something that will set in motion an adventure more terrifying and more wonderful than she could ever have hoped for ...' (publication blurb).

'Ruby and her grandmother Babushka are off to Paris for a holiday! When they arrive they go and meet Babushka's brother, Monsieur Gaspar Galushka, who loves hats as much as Ruby loves red shoes. And with Monsieur is his grandson, Felix, who becomes Ruby's guide while she is in Paris. Together the two young hares zip around Paris on Felix's racy red scooter taking in all of the beautiful sights that Paris has to offer. It is the adventure of a lifetime, filled with memories that Ruby will treasure forever.' (Publisher's blurb)

'Ruby Red Shoes lives in a colourful caravan with her grandmother. Ruby is gentle and kind and cares for all living things, including plants and trees, animals and people.

'Ruby is also particularly fond of strawberry jam and peppermint tea.' (Publisher's blurb)

When Selkie the sea lion is kidnapped, Nim has to leave her island paradise, stow away on board a cruise ship, and work out how to rescue Selkie and all the captive animals in the ship's zoo. She also needs to reunite her family. Luckily she has Fred, her funny marine iguana, and two new ship-board friends, to help her. (Source: Trove)