Cirrus@Austlit

'When a boy is turned into an ugly nutcracker, Marie is his only key to freedom. He, in turn, holds the key to her heart. Margrete Lamond's retelling of Hoffmans classic tale reduces the rambling original to its essentials, while satisfying the modern taste for strong emotion-based storylines. Ritva Voutilas paintings bring the magic, wonder and terror of childhood imagination to life, and set the action against a lavish Victorian backdrop that both enthralls and reassures the reader.' (Publication summary)

'Like the garden it portrays, Outside is a Baroque wonderland waiting to be explored, a shimmery place of texture, luminosity and colour where time stands still and memories are born.

'Two internationally acclaimed creators—author Libby Hathorn and artist Ritva Voutila—have coupled their dazzling imaginative powers to capture the wonder of childhood in this homage to the magic of a garden.' (Publication summary)

'COMPASSION IS A FORCE MIGHTIER THAN STONE. Sometimes statues are granted a chance to become warm, breathing creatures. The stone lion has only one dream - to run, pounce and leap in the park across from where he sits. But one snowy night, when a baby is abandoned at his paws, he is compelled to think differently.' (Publication summary)

'“You can’t keep it, Cody,” Josh said. “Why not?” I asked. “Well, it’s ugly, it blasts things and it fell into your garden from outer space,” Josh said.' (Publication summary)

'Grandpa Thomas has come for a visit. He has brought Peter an unusual gift for his train set. As the nights go by, Peter realises there is something very special about this gift.' (Publication summary)

'Everything’s going wrong today and Eliza has had enough. She’s going to run away. There are a few things that she needs to take with her and getting them all on her bike isn’t going to be easy. Can this day get any worse?' (Publication summary)