Cirrus@Austlit

'Felix and Livia are two runaways who are being pursued across the Roman empire, from the darkest, dampest corner of Gaul to the dry, desert sands of Tadmor. They must reach Rome by the Ides of April to rescue Livia's brother before he is sent into the arena to do battle with lions—and perhaps a vicious ostrich or two! Along the way, the pair are helped (and hindered) by a selfish sacred chicken, a foolish camel and a grumpy magic carpet as they encounter bandits, a shipwreck and a false accusation. Will they save Livia's brother in time, or will they all fall victim to the chicken's curse?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Maxwell Mouse the photographer is trying to take school photos at South Furriest Public School. But some students just won’t stay still! And others won’t look at the camera! Can Maxwell get all of the students to SAY CHEESE?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'All the birds are excited about the Big Beaky Bird Ball - except Leonard. His warble-warble waltz with the magpies is more wobble-wobble, and his caw-caw can-can with the crows is a can't-can't. The puffins are prancing, the rosellas are rocking and you should see the flamingo go-go-go! Everyone is jumping and jiving, but not Leonard.

'Leonard doesn't dance.

'Then an unexpected encounter changes everything ...'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'My friend Fred eats dog food for breakfast. I think dog food is disgusting. My friend Fred howls at the moon. I don't know why. He does a lot of funny things. But even though we are different, Fred is my best friend.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

''Hey, Milly, why are we on this blank page?'

''It won't be blank for long. We're going to be in a STORY, Rory!'

'Rory has never been in a story before and he's not even sure how one works. Luckily, he and his friend Milly have a helpful voice on the page (that's me, the narrator) to guide them on an amazing adventure as they encounter an exciting plot, spectacular settings and some very funny characters.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

‘We wish you a quacky Christmas …' Samantha Duck is getting ready for Christmas. ‘I'm going to give presents to animals all over the world!' Her friend Sebastian tells her not to bother. ‘Christmas is not for animals,' he says. But with the help of her farmyard friends, Samantha sets out to prove that Christmas is for everyone. A joyous tale of giving and sharing from two award-winning Australian creators.'  (Publication summary)

'There was a smell on Stinky Street ... and it was awfully, abominably odorous.

'From smelly sewers to pongy penguins, there's always a rotten reek on Stinky Street.

'So put some pickles up your nose and join Brian and his friend Nerf for a brand-new series of revoltingly runk, truly toxious and sickeningly smell-odorous adventures.' (Publication summary)

'The first thing I noticed when I woke up on Sunday morning was a mysterious smell...

'When Brian ('call me Brain - everyone does') awakes to a truly putrid pong, he knows it is up to him and his friend Nerf to neutralise it. But that putrid pong is just the beginning, because life on Stinky Street is a riot of rotten reeks, awful aromas and sickening scents. So grab a peg (for your nose) or risk being flattened by the fumes! '

(Publication Summary)

'When Kasumi leaves her remote village for the teeming city of Edo, her life is transformed. As a lady-in-waiting in a samurai mansion she discovers a rare talent for art and falls in love with a young samurai. How could she ever return to the life of a simple mountain girl?

'But Kasumi must set aside her own concerns. Her country is on the brink of change and Edo is simmering with tension. And her mistress has a dangerous secret-a secret that Kasumi is gradually drawn into...

'Set against the vivid backdrop of nineteenth-century Japan, THE PEONY LANTERN is a powerful story of art, love and friendship, and finding your own path.' (Publication summary)

'From bestselling and award-winning author Frances Watts comes the first in an incredibly exciting new series of standalone historical novels. Set in Ancient Rome, The Raven's Wing tells the story of Claudia, who is wrenched from her happy life with her aunt and uncle to return to the home of her senator father, whom she hasn't seen since her mother died when she was very young. Soon Claudia starts to uncover the true reasons behind her father's newfound interest, and finds herself an unwitting pawn in her new stepmother's plots and schemes. Full of intrigue, romance and humour, The Raven's Wing takes you back to life in Ancient Rome, but with a voice that is entirely fresh and relatable for young women today.' (Publication summary)

'It's Lady Beatrix's birthday, and Sir Walter is planning a celebration at Flamant Castle. There will be games and competitions and a big surprise party. Everyone at the castle is excited ... except the pigeon. But the pigeon is needed for a very special job - and when he goes missing, it looks like Sir Walter's plans will be ruined. Can Tommy find her friend and save the celebrations?' (Publication summary)

'A trickster is turning life at Flamant Castle upside down. Someone has put sneezing powder in the knights' soup and itching powder in Sir Walter's sheets and changed the salt for sugar in Mrs Moon's kitchen. At first the tricks seem funny, but Sir Benedict is not amused. He thinks the trickster is Tommy - and unless the tricks stop, he will send her away from the castle! Can she find out who the real trickster is before she is banished forever?' (Publication summary)