Cirrus@Austlit

'Beneath the waters of a calm bay, seahorses hide from predators, feed on shrimp, and raise their young. But when a storm destroys their habitat, they are left without food and nowhere to hide. Until, a Marine Biologist comes up with a clever invention to provide them with shelter and food while the natural environment recovers.' (Publication summary)

'A poignant story about a child finding her own inner strength, courage and resilience by drawing inspiration from the generations of women that came before her.

'Whenever Isla's mother brings out her small blue doll box, Isla knows she will hear the stories of the women in her family's past. Touching on themes of immigration, war and the feminist movement, their lives show Isla the incredible things women can achieve, and the strength she has inside herself.

'Inspired by the author's own family, this book echoes the timeless power of familial bonds and personal histories that instil courage and determination in each new generation. It underscores the belief that sharing family stories can foster a sense of belonging, and provide strength to face life's adversities.

'What makes a strong role model for girls? Deborah Kelly found the answer in her own heritage, in the pages of history, and in the inspiring individuals who, despite adversity, discovered their own courage and resilience. The Doll Box is a testament to their stories, lovingly passed from mother to daughter, empowering the next generation of strong women.' (Publication summary)

'A lyrical and optimistic tale about the power of possibility and perspective, told from the point of view of a child experiencing a family breakdown.

'Frankie’s parents have separated, and her world has fallen apart, much like the precious vase that broke on the day Dad left. But then Nana takes her to an art gallery where she falls in love with a massive mosaic, built from a ceramicist’s broken works after an earthquake. Frankie realises that though the pieces of her life may never fit together again as they did before, there is a chance that from the ‘broken’ pieces she will be able to rebuild a new beautiful life.' (Publication summary)

'There are not many dugongs left in the world now. But what if humans freed the sea from nets? What if we cleared it of rubbish so that seagrass could flourish again and dugongs could feed?

'A beautiful and thought-provoking picture book about dugongs - the mysterious creatures who were once mistaken for mermaids. Deborah's Kelly's beautiful, lyrical writing brings these animals to life, and highlights the dangers they face, inspiring young readers to care for and protect our natural world. Lisa Stewart's gorgeous illustrations capture the beauty of these gentle and endangered creatures.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'When I'm a famous marine scientist I'll live on a boat by myself. I'll snorkel on the reef all day long. But before I can learn to snorkel I have to be able to swim properly. And right now, I don't even own a swimsuit.

'Eleven year old Tilly dreams of becoming a marine scientist. But she lives in a drought stricken town with her mum and younger brother Oliver, who is autistic. Oliver's meltdowns are making life unbearable. He can't cope with even the smallest of changes to his routine. On top of that, he needs so many different kinds therapy that there's never any time or money left over for swimming lessons.

'When Mum loses her job and decides to move the family to the Queensland coast, Tilly is excited and terrified all at once. Is this her chance to finally learn to swim? Will her dream of snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef come true? Or will so many changes all at once prove too much for the whole family?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'It must be Ruby’s lucky day! She keeps finding coins everywhere.

'But there’s something funny about this money. Why is it so bright, shiny and new looking? And where on earth is it coming from?

'When Ruby’s new wishes appear much earlier than expected, she wonders if someone else in the Wishfingers' household might be developing magical powers of their own. But who?

'You can bet your bottom dollar this will be a magical adventure to remember.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Ruby is back, with twelve new wishes!  And one missing wish from last spring that is still floating about in the garden somewhere...

'But Ruby is wasting her new wishes trying to keep Jellybean out of mischief until she discovers the perfect way to make Jellybean do exactly what she says. But Cousin Todd isn't so keen on doing what Ruby says.

'When Todd stumbles across Ruby's missing wish he decides to teach her a lesson about being bossy, and make a few rules of his own.

'Meet Australia's new king and explore a country where school, homework, manners and peas are all banned. Discover monster trucks, giant jumping castles, furious principals and hungry crocodiles along with plenty of laughs in an all new Ruby Wishfingers adventure.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Zane is different to other kids. He has his own made-up language. He likes to line things up. And he is frightened of things that don't seem to bother other people - like the colour black. His father gets frustrated and angry with Zane. His mother tries hard to explain things to him. But nothing seems to work. Zane just scrunches himself up into a ball and screams. Things are looking pretty bleak for Zane and his family; that is, until Zane's big sister starts to draw a chalk rainbow at the top of the front steps ... The Chalk Rainbow explores difference and diversity through a family living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It's also a story of unconditional love, of trust and of learning to look at the world through the eyes of others. The story is told by Zane's older sister in a way that young children can easily relate to. The ending is uplifting as all members of the family learn to look at things differently and find a way to move forward together.' (Publication summary)

'A delightful rhyming picture book that celebrates all the special relationships and fun-filled activities in a child’s life, their special bonds with parents, grandparents, cousins, neighbours and pets, as well as all the wonderful fun-filled days they enjoy together: from beach and baking days, to cycling and footy-kicking or simply lazy days. This is a joyous, accessible picture book perfect for sharing with children.' (Publication summary)

'Ruby is back - and so are her wishes! With a head full of plans for the holidays Ruby’s fingertips already tingling with magic. That is, until Mum announces that Ruby’s horrible little toad of a cousin is coming to stay. But some problems can’t just be wished away. Ruby’s wish for her cousin to turn into a real toad breaks magic’s most important rule. And when rules are broken, especially magic ones, there are always consequences. Join Ruby and her little brother, Jellybean on another extraordinary adventure exploring a winter wonderland, experiencing life as a slimy toad and finding out what happens when magic falls into the wrong paws!' (publication blurb).

'Ruby Wishfingers is an ordinary girl with an extraordinary name. Only nobody else seems to think so. That is until Ruby Wishfingers wakes up with a strange feeling in the tips of her fingers. She soon finds out that there is far more to being a Wishfingers than having a funny name.

'Ruby can wish for whatever she wants with her wish fingers. However, she soon realises that they create more trouble than good.

'Ruby Wishfingers will take you on a magical adventure, featuring talking cats, jelly bean rain and pocket-sized unicorns.' (Publication summary)

Ruby Wishfingers is an ordinary girl with an extraordinary name. Only nobody else seems to think so. That is until she wakes up with a strange feeling in the tips of her fingers. and realises that she can wish for whatever she wants with her wish fingers.

'Something extraordinary is going on ... even more extraordinary than usual in the Wishfingers household! Things keep disappearing and then reappearing in the strangest of places!

'Dad can’t find his lawnmower, until it mysteriously appears in an upstairs hallway. Norman’s fish tank vanishes from Ruby’s bedroom, only to turn up in the kitchen all by itself! And how on earth does Dad’s jar of treats keep finding its way into little brother Jellybean’s cot?

'With Dad as nutty as a fruitcake and finger-nibbling Jellybean throwing terrible tantrums, all poor Mum can think about is a holiday. It’s up to Ruby to find out what’s going on.

'Get ready for the greatest game of hide-and-seek in this next adventure of Ruby Wishfingers.' (Publication summary)

'Stomp your feet at the Dinosaur Disco! Everyone is dancing at the disco. But then . . . The music stops. The ground shakes. Is the intruder looking for a dance . . . or his dinner? Twist your hips, not your tongue! Dinosaur Disco includes a pronunciation guide and fun dino facts.' (Publication summary)

'A very special picture book about the bond between little girls and their grandmothers.

'When Nana makes pancakes, I spread the jam. I smooth it right to the edges with the back of my spoon, until it looks like a giant orange sun. Then we roll them up tightly, dust them with sugar and lick our fingers.

'In this beautifully written picture book a little girl goes to the ends of the earth to find real apricot jam for her beloved grandmother.' (Publisher's blurb)

'This picture book will delight young readers as they follow the adventures of The Bouncing Ball through colourful fields and cities, past animals, cars, boys and girls.' (Publisher's blurb)