Cirrus@Austlit

'Me and My Semicolon is a young mother’s day-by-day account of her journey through bowel cancer, from the shock of the first diagnosis until days before her death.

'Rani Middleton writes with a raw immediacy – keenly observant of the small things, while at the same time grappling with life’s big questions as she comes to terms with her prognosis. She is a gifted writer, pitilessly honest about the hard parts, but leavening the awfulness with moments of fun, enchantment, and enjoyment of the absurd. Her sense of being blessed by her loving family and community of friends never fails.

'Rani’s husband, Nathan Laird, completed the manuscript not long after losing his soulmate, with an elegiac account of their last weeks together.

'More than a book about dying, Me and My Semicolon is a lesson in how to live. It is an inspiring story about love, grief, hope, courage and acceptance.

'Trent Dalton (Boy Swallows Universe) describes Rani’s story as, ‘…a truly harrowing, often hilarious, always illuminating literary odyssey’.'

(Source: publisher's blurb)

'“Frogs! I love frogs, frogs in Broome.      They live in my house in every room.”

'So begins the story of Mrs Millar and her much-loved frogs.

'Follow the adventures of these little characters as they hop and hide in Mrs Millar’s house.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Travel with Maggie back in time to the heyday of the pearling industry in Broome. Share her adventures on a lugger and see how she surprises her Gran on her birthday.

'Storm Pearl tells the story of Broome’s historic industry, as rich in culture as it is in pearls.  Through beautiful illustrations, this tale will delight children of all ages. It is a celebration of a fascinating part of Broome’s history.'

'SAFE Ruby is a wonderful story about an abandoned dog finding her forever home: a place where she can be loved and included despite her flaws. Its main character is based on the dog Ruby, who has lived in Hannah’s family for many years. The real-life Ruby was lucky to have been part of the SAFE (Saving Animals From Euthanasia) foster-care program, founded in the Pilbara region and now with branches all over Western Australia. SAFE provides temporary care for animals until they find their long-term home. Ruby now lives happily in Broome with the Morris family.' (Publication summary)

'Meet Sid and Skipper, two Kimberley Kelpies.

'Sid has always been Top Dog on the cattle station, and he doesn’t welcome silly young Skipper. But when Sid finds himself in trouble, who will be there to help him?

'A story of pride, a fall and two lovable characters.' (Publication summary)

'Bobby's Surprise takes us on a new adventure as Bobby leads Lucas, Tallulah and Baz all over town on an urgent mission.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Australia is a land of fire. Fire has shaped its landscapes and played a role in the evolution of its plants and animals. Aboriginal people have always made and managed fire, in the domestic hearth and as an aid to hunting.

'This is both a book of art and a first-hand account of desert people's understanding and use of fire in inland Australia.

'The author, a renowned artist from the Great Sandy desert, shows, through his minimalist drawings and compact, vivid descriptions, how desert people make fire and when and why they burn.' (publishers' note)

'Jimmy and Pat Go to China is a light-hearted but informative account of a journey to China by Australian Aboriginal artist Jimmy Pike with the author Pat Lowe and their host, Chinese Australian artist Zhou Xiaoping. The artists held a joint exhibition in Zhou's home town, Hefei, and from there the three friends travelled by bus and train to other parts of China. They went up the Yellow Mountains, visited Buddhist temples and saw the famous Terracotta Warriors at Xian, as well as climbing the Great Wall. At night in hotel rooms, Jimmy made drawings: delightful, naive impressions of places he visited.
Pat's account is less a travelogue than a gentle, tongue-in-cheek commentary on Jimmy's responses to a country and culture very different from his own.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Jimmy and Pat Meet the Queen is a fantasy about Native Title, in which Jimmy, a traditional owner of land in the Great Sandy Desert, challenges the Queen to visit his camp and prove to him that she is the rightful owner of this so-called ‘vacant Crown land’. Her Majesty accepts the invitation, and soon learns what it really means to be a landowner in the Australian desert. A light-hearted look at a serious subject, suitable for readers of all ages.' 

Source: Publisher's blurb.