Cirrus@Austlit

'Little Blossom loves her footy.
Little Blossom has a dream.
Blossom wants to play full-forward
For her favourite football team.

'Unfortunately for Blossom, everyone thinks she’s too small to play. But this plucky possum is determined to be part of the team, even if she only gets to bring the half-time oranges. Because you never know when your big chance might arrive…

'With ripper rhyme and spectacular illustrations, Mighty Blossom is a winning reminder that legends come in every size.' (Publication summary)

'It’s springtime in Paris, and crime is in the air …

'Pepper Stark and her friends came to Paris for the glamour, the gâteaux and the good times. But intrigue seems to follow the young detectives wherever they go. When an American tourist and a priceless Russian treasure both disappear from their hotel, Pepper is sure the mysteries are connected and is determined to solve them both. But this time she has competition: former thief-turned-amateur-detective Georges Rème is also on the case. And her friends seem to be more interested in croissants than in crime.

'Pepper will do anything to beat Rème to the punch and prove herself as a proper sleuth – even if that means misleading the people closest to her. In this unusual hotel, where everyone has secrets to hide, who can Pepper trust to lead her to the answers? And how far will she go to get them?

'1920s Paris bursts to life in this captivating return to the world and characters of Nicki Greenberg’s The Detective’s Guide mysteries.' (Publication summary)

'Pepper Stark could not be more thrilled to return to New York City with her father, the Captain. Not only will she be back in the place where her late mother once lived but also she'll reunite with her friends Norah and Sol.

'But Pepper's excitement for her trip fades when the Captain invites along his new friend Emmaline and her son, Elliott. Still, Pepper is determined to make the most of her time with her friends in the Big Apple, revelling in the energy of the city that never sleeps.

'But when dinner at the swanky restaurant where Sol is working ends in the suspicious illness of notorious food critic Anthony 'the Shark' Sharkey, Pepper finds herself entangled in yet another crime.

'With only a week before she has to return home, Pepper, Sol, Norah and a reluctantly recruited Elliott are facing an even bigger challenge than the Saffron Diamond mystery, and the stakes have never been so high. If they don't find the culprit, Sol's chef career could be over ... or worse. And New York City might become the place where all of their dreams turn to dust.

'From the bright lights of Broadway to back-alley speakeasies, Nicki Greenberg has brought 1920s New York City to life in this delightfully thrilling mystery set in the same world as The Detective's Guide to Ocean Travel.' (Publication summary)

'Henry the hermit crab is done with his dull life on the dim ocean floor. He wants glamour and drama! He wants dazzle and splash! He wants to be known as Fabulous Crab! But when Fab bedazzles himself in a bit too much bling, he might have landed himself in deep water …

'I’m Fabulous Crab! is a sparkling spectacle of a story about embracing who you are and wearing your true colours (and a touch of glitter) with pride.' (Publication summary)

'The first middle-grade novel from award-winning author Nicki Greenberg, this book is a classic whodunnit mystery set aboard a grand ocean liner in the 1920s. With first-class glitz and glamour and a deliciously plotted intrigue featuring an uppity stage star, a missing diamond, a leopard and a loveable cast of child sleuths, The Detective's Guide to Ocean Travel is an exciting romp on the high seas, perfect for fans of Murder Most Unladylike and The Good Thieves.' (Publication summary)

'Presents! Games! Cake! Everyone loves a party, right?

'Well, not everyone. And definitely not Kit.

'THE CHAOS.

'THE CHILDREN.

'THE CHASEY!

It’s more than a cat can bear! All Kit wants is a quiet place to hide away from the noise. And maybe he’s not the only one . . .

'A shout-out (whisper) to the not-so-loud, with treats for every kind of party guest.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'This is my favourite T-shirt.

'I brought it to Australia from my old home.

'My family came here after a long journey.

'It was hard at first, but now I love my new home!'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Through the velvety night, in whispering flight, 
Bats hurry homeward to hide from the light.
Eager to huddle away from the sun,
Cosy and comfortable . . .
All except one.

'Meet Bitsy, a cheeky little bat with daring dreams. Nocturnal Bitsy wants to discover what life is like when the sun comes up. But is the daytime ready for Bitsy?'  (Publication summary)

'The minute we saw Miss Kraken, we all knew it was going to be a bad year.

'She's cranky. She's strict. She's just plain … weird. Miss Kraken is definitely not the teacher the kids were hoping for. But she might have a surprise or two up her sleeves.

'A hilarious tale of bad behaviour and unexpected consequences.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'What's a witch to do? Zelda is back teaching her class again, but she's having a lot of trouble keeping her magic under control. The kids are fascinated by her powers, but witches aren't supposed to do party tricks, are they? Especially when there's an impressionable young witchling in the class and the vice principal is on the warpath. Soon both Zelda and Phoebe are battling unruly magic, peer pressure and a seriously mean PE teacher. And then there's the weird smell . . .'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Up from the darkness, he springs from his hole . . . Explorer! Enthusiast! MORRIS THE MOLE! With a twirl of his spade and a twitch of his nose, Morris makes TUNNELS wherever he goes. Will Morris dig his way to trouble? Or will his hard work pay off in an unexpected way? Morris's adventures underground (and above) are hugely entertaining and full of joy.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Zelda Stitch isn't much of a witch—she's hoping she'll make a better primary teacher. But if the vice principal finds out, her dream will go up in smoke. But keeping her magic secret isn't the only trouble bubbling in Zelda's classroom. Enchanted doughnuts, inflatable slides and magic cats, nothing is what you would expect in this hilarious book about a slightly incompetent witch who is determined to be a good teacher!'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Who wants to join the Meerkat choir? The meerkat choirmaster will only allow meerkats in his choir. But singing is fun and all the other animals want to join in too. A wonderfully funny picture book about the folly of excluding others from your group, it combines everyone’s favourite things: Meerkats and singing!'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'This year, Ruby the reindeer causes serious disruption to Santa's delivery schedule and to the school Christmas concert. With Ruby in the mix, the show might not go on AND Christmas presents might not be delivered at all . . . Ruby the reindeer makes Christmas Eve more entertaining than ever before!'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'The hilarious adventures of Dash - a highly unusual pet who gets up to all kinds of mischief.

'Dash is badly behaved at puppy school, he chews things that he shouldn't, he makes puddles on the floor, he wrecks the garden, and he steals food off the bench when no one is looking. Perfectly standard puppy behaviour. But Dash is far from an ordinary pet - and his inquisitive nature and insatiable appetite get him in all kinds of trouble.

'A highly entertaining and hilarious picture book that celebrates the ups and downs of pet-ownership - and the power of imagination.' (Publication summary)

'Worm is a funny, gentle story about an earthworm who accidentally discovers life above the ground. Worm lives underground, munching through the earth and life is pretty predictable — or so he thinks.

'Worm is also a playful meditation on the way we perceive the world, and how our understanding and expectations are often limited by our particular experiences and point of view.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Ruby the excitable reindeer is determined to have another calamitous Christmas! This time at the South Pole - with penguins and seals and sharks and whales all joining in the adventure.

''I'm zippy! I'm snappy! I'm raring to go.'

''You're NAUGHTY,' said Rudolf. 'The answer is NO.'

'If only Mrs Claus had listened! Letting Ruby lead the sleigh is a recipe for disaster. Ruby's wild ride lands her in a world of trouble, and very far from home. Poor Ruby is stranded, the presents are scattered... and the local penguins are very, very grumpy. How can the naughtiest reindeer avert a Christmas disaster this time?

'Another hilarious adventure featuring everyone's favourite irrepressible reindeer.' (Publication summary)