Cirrus@Austlit

'What I Wish I’d Known is a regular series where we ask some of our favourite people in the book industry to reflect on their careers. In this instalment, authors share some of the unexpected and useful things they’ve learned along the way about writing for kids.'

'Humpty Dumpty waiting to play. Humpty Dumpty waiting ALL DAY.

'Poor Humpty Dumpty can’t catch a break! He tries to join in but makes a few mistakes. Can Humpty make friends with all the king’s horses and all the king’s men?'

Source: publisher's blurb

'Baa baa blue sheep, have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir, nine bags full! The master and dame want ALL the wool! Blue! Orange! Green! Red! But can the little boy who lives down the lane convince them to share?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'This is the story of a boy called Bob. He’s a little scrawny, a little scruffy, and he likes to sniff footballs (weird). But he has the game in his veins and he’s determined to be one of the greats, like his hero from the mighty Tigers, Matthew Richardson.

'You might know the tale of a Kelly named Ned
A bushranger type with a can on his head…

'But do you know the story of Jed Kelly? He’s a regular eight-year-old kid who hates his wild mane of red hair.

'One day, he takes matters into his own hands …' (Publication summary)

'Before the clock infamously strikes one, a poor mother mouse must search the house for her two missing sons. But she'd better watch out for the cat!' (Publication summary)

'In the Selwood house, someone's always up to no good!

'One minute it's the twins, Troy and Adam, pulling pranks and making mischief ...

'Next second it's Joel and his sneaky, cheeky antics.

'And little Scott just does his best (or make that his worst!) to keep up with the others.

'With four boys under one roof, there's madness and mayhem every day - and footy of course!'

A prank-filled visit to the Selwoods' country cousins lands the boys in trouble with Mum ... But will the boys maintain the mischief? And who will save the day on the footy field? 
 

(Publication summary)

'Meet the Selwood boys ... There's the twins, Troy and Adam, pulling pranks and making mischief, then Joel with his sneaky, cheeky antics, and finally little Scott, who just does his best (or make that his worst!) to keep up.

'The Selwoods are off on holiday! And Joel's brothers are on a mission to find his sporting weakness. Will they discover his Kryptonite or is Joel the ultimate all-rounder?' (Publication summary)

'Meet the Selwood boys ... There's the twins, Troy and Adam, pulling pranks and making mischief, then Joel with his sneaky, cheeky antics, and finally little Scott, who just does his best (or make that his worst!) to keep up.

'Joel is playing his first full season and loving being the local star. But when a new friend struggles to make it the team, can Joel be a footy legend and a good mate?' (Publication summary)

'Four future AFL stars under one roof!? Go back to where it all began with THE SELWOOD BOYS ... In the Selwood house, someone's always up to no good! One minute it's the twins,...

'Four future AFL stars under one roof!?

'Go back to where it all began with THE SELWOOD BOYS ...

'In the Selwood house, someone's always up to no good!

'One minute it's the twins, Troy and Adam, pulling pranks and making mischief ...

'Next second it's Joel and his sneaky, cheeky antics.

'And little Scott just does his best (or make that his worst!) to keep up with the others.

'With four boys under one roof, there's madness and mayhem every day - and footy of course!' (Publication summary)

'Dear Tamsin, 
'We've just had a conversation in the kitchen — and I called you 'Astrid', because the combination of current breastfeeding status and an old baking top with tired elastic had me thinking of that wenchly Bornhoffen ad from the early '80s — which is a compliment, believe me, even if you're not immediately recognising it as one, and I'd ask you to stop formulating that sentence you're composing in your head, the one that begins: can't believe you started with my breasts.'  (Introduction)

''Hey diddle diddle, You all know the riddle, A cow jumps over the moon...' But the moon is very high in the sky. How many attempts will it take before Cow makes her famous high-flying leap? ' (Publication summary)

'Emo the Emu is grumpy about everything. He is the grumpiest Emu in Humpty Doo. One day he meets Katie the Kangaroo and she takes him on a journey around Australia. When they return home, Emo surprises his family and tells them about how much he liked his trip and is no longer an unhappy Emu.' (Publication summary)

'Stuff happens sometimes.

'Everyday stuff.

'At school, at home, with sport, with mates.

'For Ned it happened with a new teacher.

'For Sean it happened starting at a new school.

'For Michael it happened when he thought he was disappointing his parents.

'For Jack it happened when a game at recess went wrong.' (Publication summary)