Cirrus@Austlit

'Late one night, a thing appears in the paddock next to Fabio’s house.

'His dad calls it ‘space junk’ but inside Fabio discovers books. Books about the galaxy; big, fat books; books full of poems. He swaps a book with Leila from next door and the thing becomes a Great Book-swapping Machine.

'But will the very important woman from the Space Agency let the community keep their machine? And what will happen when Fabio pulls its shiny red lever?

'Comprising a funny, original and imaginative story, whimsical illustrations and an informative fact section, The Book-swapping Machine is a book about the joys of reading and the importance of community.'

'Alone is his room, Felix is frightened. A wild storm is raging outside, and the silver moon has disappeared. But, with the help of his trusty torch and some new friends, Felix finds the courage to frolic with shadows and discover incredible new worlds. A story of adventure, imagination and bravery inspired by Asian shadow puppetry. Includes information section about the history and art of Asian shadow puppetry, featuring images from the collections of the National Library of Australia.'  (Publication summary)

'The streetscape is changing in 1930s city Australia. Digby and Claude meet up to create their own place, somewhere they both belong. They have adventures and make plans. But then the building site becomes full of trucks and Claude's parents stop him visiting his friend. However, when new families move into the new flats, Digby has someone new to tell his stories to. Non-fiction information at the back of the book covers housing styles and the different sorts of 'homes' we can have.' (Source: Publisher's blurb)

'It's the first day of school and Ernest seems so mean and scary. But is he really?

'It's the first day of school and Oscar is trying hard to be brave. Oscar's mum feels sure he will make lots of friends, but Oscar isn't so sure, particularly when Ernest seems so mean and scary.

'But is he really?

'From talented picture book creators, award-winning Emma Allen and talented new illustrator Hannah Sommerville, comes a book about the joy of making friends.' (Publication summary)

'Sometimes you don't always get what you want. Instead of the rocket backpack, you might end up with a terrible suitcase for the very first day of school. And this makes you mad! But sometimes what you think is terrible, might not be so terrible after all, especially when there are rocket ships and new friends involved.

'The Terrible Suitcase is a lovely story about acceptance, making friends and new experiences.' (From the publisher's website.)