Cirrus@Austlit

'Look up. Way up, into the clear blue. Those two tiny specks are a wedge-tailed eagle and her mate.

'Wedge-tailed Eagle explores the family life of these remarkable birds. The largest raptor in Australia, wedge-tailed eagles are powerful hunters, who mate for life, bringing many new clutches of chicks into the world in their lifetime. Award-winning author Claire Saxby leads us through a mating season, while Christina Booth’s illustrations capture the majesty, power and gentleness of these magnificent birds of prey.' (Publication summary)

'A beautifully illustrated collection of original poems celebrating the wonder and complexity of nature and the environment, from beloved children's author Libby Hathorn, illustrated by award-winning artist Christina Booth

'Let's dream of what we can become,
Mother Earth, I am your son.
Food and shelter, climate, water,
Mother Earth, I am your daughter.

'Mother Earth is a warm, funny, beautiful collection of nature poems. Written with great sensitivity by multi-award-winning poet and author Libby Hathorn and with superb illustrations by talented artist and illustrator Christina Booth, this is a book to treasure and to celebrate our precious environment - for kids and families, students and teachers alike.' (Publication summary) 

'Hi! I’m Dooley My cousin is visiting our farm. We'll swim in the river, feed the calves and collect berries. But best of all, we’re going to sleep out in the barn!

'A sweet story of friendship and co-operation, unconditional love and a surprising egg hunt.

'Hen is counting the days until her eggs hatch.
But one night a wild storm scatters them far and wide.
The other animals start searching high and low.
But are they all Hen's eggs?'  (Publication summary)

'Where the mist swallows mountains and winds whisper through ancient trees, a mother and her pup run wild and free. They hunt, but they are also hunted. Carted away. Sold for bounty. And then, one careless night … The last thylacine is gone. The beautiful but heartbreaking story of Australia's last thylacine (Tasmanian tiger), which died in captivity.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

A collection of poems grouped under themes, including: Happy living things; In Australia; Play; Stories; Portrait gallery; Speaking your mind; Light and dark; What are words worth?; On reflection.

'I built a ship from this and that. I named her Spirit. Could Spirit sail? I knew she could. A beautiful picture book about resilience, imagination and hope.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Kids love rocks. They also love to learn. The Gum Family Finds Home brings these two truths together in a delightful Australian story that introduces concepts of geology to a young audience. But this is not a fact-heavy schoolbook. It is essentially a charming story about home and family that celebrates the stunning Australian landscape and its flora and fauna.

'The book’s action plays out through a family of koalas, the Gum family, who hitch up their caravan and set off to search for the perfect home. The idea that animals might go travelling to see the sights, or indeed want to find a more better home, creates a link between the reader and the exciting adventures the characters are experiencing. 

'The Gum Family Finds Home uses storytelling to introduce the natural world to children as the Gum family travels the country. The sheer variety and imposing grandeur of Australian geological formations are captured, from Uluru to King’s Canyon, from gorges and limestone pillars to precariously placed boulders and sweeping plains. These are introduced in the story through minimal text and lavish illustrations, then extended in a separate section providing accessible information and photographic images. This enables a parent, teacher or older reader to satisfy the further interest in geology that the story is sure to stimulate.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Andrew Barton ‘Banjo’ Paterson was a man of many talents and accomplishments. In his lifetime, he fulfilled the roles of poet, lyricist, journalist, correspondent, speaker, author, clerk, solicitor, ambulance driver, soldier, sportsman, jockey, horse vet, bushman, farmer and radio commentator. He was a fine sportsman and loved hunting and fishing, but his great love was horses and the Australian bush.

'He travelled the world and lived a life of great creative passion, and his story is something that intrigues both adults and children alike, leaving a cultural legacy that continues to this day through his books, his poetry and, of course, Waltzing Matilda. This charming picture book for young children is a celebration of a man who became a world-traveller, hobnobbing with the glittering literati, but who still remained true to his roots, with a lifelong love of the Australian bush something that called to him throughout his life. Children can join Banjo, his family, dog and neighbourhood friends, as they recount the life of Banjo Paterson with an afternoon of backyard playtime that truly typifies childhood.

'Illustrations by the award-winning Christina Booth are age-appropriate, active and heart-warming, making this impressive biography accessible to even the youngest of children. ' (Publication summary)

'Inspired by the story of two soldiers who planted two trees on their farm before they headed to the Great War, the story of the Anzac Tree is one that looks at the lives of those left behind in times of war.' (Publication summary)

'How can sheep help you sleep? They climb through the window and walk through the door. They sit on my bed and jump on the floor. They play hide and seek. They go down the hall. They shower and shave, and there's one on the loo! They have snacks in the kitchen. Oh, what will I do? Grandpa Jack says counting sheep helps him sleep. But a house full of sheep means chaos, not calm.' (Publication summary)

'Captain James Cook loved to sail. He loved making maps (he was very good at it, too) and he particularly loved shiny buttons. In this charming picture book, little ones can celebrate the life of a great mariner and true adventurer.

'Join Miss Batts and her class as they tell the story of Captain Cook with a humorous and whimsical school play that’s sure to engage the very young. We see the class act out the story of Cook: as a boy watching ships on the horizon, sailing to Canada, then to Tahiti and on to New South Wales (spot the escaping chicken in each of the scenes!). Kids will discover that Captain Cook was the first European to cross the Antarctic Circle and they’ll also learn that on his final journey, he never came home again.

'Parents, carers and teachers will smile at the familiar set-up of the chaotic school play and the inventive props, and enjoy eavesdropping on the audience as they interact with the performance. At the back of the book, walk through ‘Cook’s Gallery’ and see real life paintings of Cook, his ship and his travels.' (Publication summary)

'It was Christmas Eve down under Koala Claws' last stop for the night. 'I'm sooo hot and tired,' he thought. 'A quick nap will see me right.' Blossom Possum and her friends try everything they can to wake Koala Claws, but he is fast asleep. Can they save Bush Christmas? Beautifully illustrated by Christina Booth, bringing to life the characters originally drawn by the late Kilmeny Niland.' (Publication summary)

'The story of a young boy and a whale as she swims into the river harbour seeking safety and a resolution to the violent past relationship between whales and man. This prosaic journey reveals how the past can impact our future. Can the boy make amends for the past? Can the whale forgive and return to what was once her ancestors' home?' (Publisher's blurb)

'Have you ever wanted to see a dinosaur? Not just a skeleton in a museum, but a real live HUGE dinosaur? It would certainly be exciting, but maybe dinosaurs are better left to our imaginations.

'On a trip to the zoo our narrator imagines how great it would be if there were dinosaurs there. He is all set to petition the zoo when he begins to wonder if the zoo really could contain the dinosaurs and what would happen if they got out.' (Publication summary)

"Sometimes its not the destination that counts, but the journey. Join the family on their walk along the beach to Carrum Sailing Club." Back cover.

'When Mama plays the piano it makes Pa's toes tap and his feet dance. Every night after dinner, the family pack away the table and Pa pulls out the piano stool and Ma's fingers dance and create magical music, and dancing happens on the way to bed.

'When war comes and the family begin to go without, they know they still have their music and the piano and dancing feet cover the sound of marching boots and planes in the sky. Until one day, their precious piano is gone.

'In its place is a sack of potatoes.

'The colour leaves their world until they realise that the music isn't gone and they can still live with hope.

'Inspired by a true family story of sacrifice during the second world war, this story celebrates the sacrificial love of family and how hope can overcome all odds.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.