Cirrus@Austlit

'Theodore is calm. But everyone else in his family isn't! In a time of stress and anxiety, Theodore shows his family ways he's learned to stay calm.

'Through this engaging and beautifully illustrated story, children will learn that in stressful situations they can still find a place of calm and peace through mindfulness techniques.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Follow Becky's journey as she tries lots of exciting new things to find her amazing superpowers! This engaging and interactive children's book provides a number of simple and very achievable 'tasks' to help kids to develop a growth mindset of resilience, persistence, self-confidence, self-reliance and self-esteem.

'The aim of this book is to encourage kids to believe in themselves and to develop a self-confidence 'foundation' - especially those children who lack self-belief and can often lose their will to even try. One superpower may lead to two superpowers, and on it goes, until that child has a deeper belief in his or herself.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Princess Petal is NOT what you would expect the 'perfect' princess to be. In fact, she is quite the opposite. Her princess dresses are torn and scruffy, she wears an old woolly hat instead of a golden crown and she is very (very) loud. So when Princess Petal meets a fire-breathing dragon while out hiking in the forest, both are in for a bit of a shock!

'An enchanting tale about friendship, diversity, acceptance and being exactly who we are meant to be. The moral behind this story is imperative yet simple: we are all different and that's okay, making judgements and assumptions about people is NOT okay, all genders should be treated equally.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Jonathon's home was not a happy one. But hope soon arrived when Auntie Edie came to stay. This beautifully illustrated book was written to provide children in family violence homes with a sense of hope and to lessen the traumatic effects of their living situations. As Jonathon knows, there is always hope that things might change.

'This book aims to help children voice their concerns and their fears, and to express these with an adult or adults they trust such as a family member, teacher, caregiver or the police. Too often children in these environments blame themselves for the violence in their homes and take on the burden of shame and guilt. This book aims to reassure children that family violence is never ever their fault and that there is also hope that things might change.

'Hope includes a Safety Plan developed by Eastern Domestic Violence Service that can be used by health professionals working with children, early years educators, teachers and family members or friends who might know a child that may be experiencing family violence.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A children's book to encourage resilience, persistence, and to help children bounce back from challenges and adversity.

'Meet Emmi! She is resilient, independent and courageous. She always tries her best, and even when the going gets tough, Emmi never gives in. This charming story uses verse and beautiful illustrations to model resilience, persistence, and the ability to face challenges with tenacity.

'Children who are resilient are brave, curious, confident and problem solvers. Nurturing these traits in our children will go a long way in helping them face the many challenges they will encounter throughout their lives.

'Also included are Discussion Questions for parents, caregivers and educators, and suggested activities to promote children's resilience.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Little Bear is a worrier. He worries about everything! But with Mama Bear's help, he soon learns his worries are not so big after all.

'Through this engaging story children will learn that everyday worries and fears can be overcome.

'Discussion questions and extra hints to help children manage anxiety are included.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Frankie loves dress-ups, playing soccer, visiting Grandpa, cooking pancakes, and so much more. Frankie loves what Frankie loves! The choice is always Frankie's. Allowing your child to do the things they love and simply be themselves is one of the greatest gifts you can provide.

'Through Frankie's active and fun encounters, readers soon learn that in Frankie's world there are no gendered roles -- kids are just kids!

'Also included are Discussion Questions for parents, caregivers and educators, and extra tips on how to reduce gender stereotyping.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Teaching young children about body boundaries, both theirs and others, is crucial to a child’s growing sense of self, their confidence and how they should expect to be treated by others. A child growing up knowing they have a right to their own personal space, gives that child ownership and choices as to what happens to them and to their body. It is equally important a child understands, from a very young age, they need to respect another person’s body boundary and ask for their consent when entering their personal space.

'This book explores these concepts with children in a child-friendly and easily-understood manner, providing familiar scenarios for children to engage with and discuss. It is important that the reader and the child take the time required to unpack each scenario and explore what they mean both to the character in the book, who may not be respecting someone’s body boundary, and to the character who is being disrespected. It is through these vital discussions that children will learn the meaning of body boundaries, consent and respect. Learning these key social skills through such stories as 'Let’s Talk About Body Boundaries, Consent and Respect' and role-modelling by significant adults can, importantly, carry forward into a child’s teenage years and adult life.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A book to empower and teach children about personal body safety, feelings, safe and unsafe touch, private parts, secrets and surprises, consent, and respectful relationships.

'Through age-appropriate illustrations and engaging text, this book will empower children by teaching them crucial skills in personal body safety. This in turn will help protect them from inappropriate touch.

'Also included are in-depth Discussion Questions to further enhance the learning and to initiate important conversations around body autonomy.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept is a beautifully illustrated picture book that sensitively broaches the subject of keeping our children safe from sexual interference. This book was written as a tool to help parents, carers and teachers broach the subject with children in a non-threatening way.'

Source: Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept website, http://www.somesecrets.info/
Sighted: 06/03/2012

'In the magnificent opening story, "Love and Honor and Pity and Pride and Compassion and Sacrifice," a young writer is urged by his friends to mine his father's experiences in Vietnam - and what seems at first a satire on turning one's life into literary commerce becomes a transcendent exploration of homeland, and the ties between father and son. "Cartagena" provides a visceral glimpse of life in Colombia as it enters the mind of a fourteen-year-old hit man facing the ultimate test. In "Meeting Elise" an ageing New York painter mourns his body's decline as he prepares to meet his daughter on the eve of her Carnegie Hall debut. And with graceful symmetry, the final, title story returns to Vietnam, to a fishing trawler crowded with refugees where a young woman's bond with a mother and her small son forces both women to a shattering decision.' (From the author's website.)