Cirrus@Austlit

'I have had some experience of the life of a part-time writer during the past 40 years. It's obviously a life of pressure—so much so that I wonder what happens when that pressure is suddenly removed. Does the writer suffer from the literary bends, get nitrogen in the ink of his arteries or suffer paralysis of the verbal nervous system? ' (Introduction)

'STORM BOY is one of the classics of Australian writing for children. When Storm Boy goes walking along the beach, or over the sandhills, or in the sanctuary, the birds are not afraid. They know he is a friend. One of them comes to live with Storm Boy and his father, Hideaway. He is the pelican they call Mr Percival. This is one of Australia's favourite stories, for everyone knows that birds like Mr Percival never really die. Other stories in the book are: The Water Trolley, The Lock-Out, Dad Ran a Fowl Run, The Shell and The Fish Scales.'

Source: Publisher's website.

The story of a bilby who leads a peaceful life, until the the feral animals take over. A sanctuary is finally made for the endangered species, and they begin to rebuild their lives.

'The other animals don't like salamander breathing hot fire over them but how can they stop him?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Mysterious accidents threaten Robby, the new kid on the block in Twilight, a town where ghostly legends flourish. Does Robby dare to discover what haunts the old Children's Home, which holds the scariest sight in Twilight?'

Source: Publisher's blurb (2006 ed.)

'Andy is fascinated by wedgetail eagles. He lies on the shed roofs of his family's farm and watches them cruising about on their huge wings, high above him in the sunlit air. They are like skaters skimming on ice, gliding together or apart in vast arcs and circles a kilometre wide.

'One day a ranger brings him an orphaned eaglet so tiny that is seems unlikely to survive. 'Wedgetail' is the story of Andy's struggle to save its life, to nurse it and feed it, to protect it from danger and finally to watch it grow into a proud and beautiful eagle.

'The boy and the bird form a bond so deep that they understand each other instinctively. But sooner or later, he must release his friend into the wild . . .' (Publication summary)

'Colin’s poems share with his stories his love of rural Australia and his admiration for the characters he knew. The collection also includes quirky humorous poems about bunyips and ducks and very big trucks – something for every performer to enjoy.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

Mitch Bird, the son of a wildlife ranger, lives in the Coorong. He rears a wild swan which becomes his constant companion and ultimately helps save his life.

When Mitch discovers an abandoned swan's egg and takes it home, his park ranger father doesn't approve. But this proves to be the start of a heartwarming friendship.