Cirrus@Austlit

'When Japara and Wahn set off with Guruk to search for a missing uncle, they know little about the secret he has uncovered. Dark forces work against them as they are drawn deeper into the mystery of the Stones of Fire.'

Source: Google Books.

'Old fire-engine Lil is still keen to fight fires, but these days she usually sits in the station while the smart modern engines do all the work. But one day there is an emergency at Brown’s Farm, and Lil is the only one who can help. Will she get there in time to save the farmhouse and all the people and animals?

'Fire Engine Lil addresses the serious topic of bush fires in a way that is just right for young children. '

'One of a series, this book introduces children to the world of Australian animals and the varied habitats they call home: from backyard to beach, from damp rain forest to dry outback.'  (Publication summary)

'Boris and Borsch are teddy bears. Boris is scruffy and ready for action. Borsch is neat and peaceful.

'Eugene and Patrick are cousins. Eugene is a cherub. Patrick is a wild buccaneer.

'When Boris is given to Eugene, and Borsch to Patrick, the bears have a hard time until they find out where they really belong.' (Publication summary)

Macka plays the WildGame at the VideoZone and suddenly a holographic animal comes to life from the screen. The animal is a survivor of an endangered species and Macka's encounter with this creature will force her to make some hazardous choices. Can she save the video marsupial from extinction by returning it to its habitat? And will Macka survive if she enters the game?

"Recommended for readers aged 10-14" -- Back cover.

'Unbeknownst to each of his owners, Sid the cat lives with six different people on the same street. By doing so, he's able to get six different dinners every night! He also answers to six names, sleeps in six beds, and maintains six different personalities.

All is perfect for Sid - until the day he catches a dreadful cough. Then it is off to the vet not once, but six times! Inga Moore's humorous illustrations capture Sid's sly nature.' (Publication summary)

'A tour of a unique Australian island in the company of Kathie and Harry Butler.

'Visit a perfect beach where you can swim, surf, splash through the waves, build sandcastles, beachcomb, explore rock-pools, muck about in boats, fish from the jetty, and build a bonfire under the stars. Visit Magic Beach, where adventure begins. . . ' (Publication summary)

'is is Skye’s story about her holiday in the bush, told day-by-day like a diary. lt’s full of things she found, and details of the animals and plants she saw, so it’s like a scrapbook. It also shows how to make environmentally-friendly arts and crafts, as she did, so it’s an unusual kind of activity book, too. Blue Skies, Green Days brings together the natural world and the creative arts in a fresh and appealing way.' (Publication summary)

'A practical guide to writing fiction, by an author who believes in giving children... books that they like. Books they can actually read, that have interesting stories, that will stick to their ribs and offer something for later. Jenny Wagner is famous for her books which are loved and read by children all over the world. The Bunyip of Berkeley’s Creek, John Brown, Rose and the Midnight Cat, Aranea, The Nimbin, and Message from Avalon are stories that linger in the mind, leaving plenty for later. Writing here for adults, Wagner explores the delicate business of distilling ideas and experience into potent stories for children. She discusses getting started; using your memories, and your knowledge of what it’s like to be a child; My writing with intensity; overcoming difficulties; creating convincing characters and dialogue; structuring stories; controlling the tone, rhythm and pace; instilling layers of meaning; using different points of view; sustaining credible fantasy; understanding the qualities of successful picture books; refining your style; dealing with publishers. "On writing hooks for children" admits that there are no rules, and no advice that fits all cases, but offers exercises and examples to elucidate many aspects of technique. This book will be of great value to new and experienced writers, and to anyone interested in good books for children.'  (Publication summary)

'"Home and Safe" is part of the "How Animals Live" series, a collection of photographic information books that takes a close-up view of the animal world. Each title looks at a different aspect of animal behaviour such as how they feed, where they make their homes, and how they protect themselves from their enemies, utilizing photographs of Australian animals in their natural habitats.' (Publication summary)

'Describes how various animals, including cats, mice, kangaroos, echidnas, bees, frogs, slugs, and crocodiles, obtain their food.'

A boy wants to play with his exciting new video game but keeps being interrupted by members of his family who bring him back to reality. The interruptions are reflected in the on-going playing of the game.

'This activity book includes 21 little books to make - for writing, drawing, colouring and having fun.'

'Discusses the life cycle, behavior patterns, and habitats of the exotic beauties of the insect world that undergo a miraculous transformation before earning their wings.' (Publication summary)

'When Cat goes to sea on a fishing boat named Snowflake, he meets the gruffest, grumpiest captain you could ever imagine. All day long, the captain bosses the crew around - ‘Scrub this, mend that, wash the other!’ When a wild storm hits the captain’s pig-headedness puts the boat and the crew at great risk. Can Cat’s quick thinking bring them all safely home?' (Publication summary)

'Mel's life is chaotic. At school her ex-friends have ganged up on her, at home her parents have lost touch with her and each other. Pug is the only good thing - loving him, in his untidy room scented and shadowed by frangipani, she finds passionate fulfillment. But his world is so different from hers - can they possibly make it together? And can she let him in on her overwhelming secret? Learning to accept herself and him and the new life growing inside her is painful - but being Mel, she gives it everything she's got.' (Publication summary)

Meet Monica, Max, Minerva, Lin, Roly and Jake - six characterful cats - and the children who live with them. Discover all the funny things they get up to, and follow the love story of Monica and Jake.

'The history of man's earliest attempts to conquer the skies is described in a colour illustrated title from the new DISCOVERIES series, with double page units of a visual centrepiece focusing on key themes.'  (Publication summary)

'Fabulous treasure lost for 300 years; mutineers chained to the ship's deck; a rescue on horseback; bodies vanished in a blowhole. These extraordinary stories of danger and heroism at sea chart the extremes of human experience. For primary and secondary school students. Covered in adhesive plastic. Shipwreck stories and miraculous rescues After long months of sailing across the oceans, navigating by sun and stars, there on the horizon is the new land. But wild seas, jagged rocks and coral reefs snared many a ship before it could reach safety. How many people drowned when the Cataraqui smashed into rocks off King Island? Find out how the 'graveyard' and treasure of the Batavia was uncovered after 300 years; how Captain Bligh and his castaways suffered in an open boat after the mutiny on the Bounty; how two people survived the wreck of the Loch Ard when everyone else perished. Did Eliza Fraser owe her life to the Aborigines? How do you explain the ancient wreck before the arrival of Captain Cook? Unbelievable but true, these extraordinary stories of disaster and rescue at sea chart the extremes of human experience - from brutality and madness to heroic courage and endurance.' (Publication summary)

'A brilliant introduction to the world of reptiles: turtles and tortoises, crocodiles, lizards and snakes, and an ancient living species - the tuatara. Take a close look at the lives of lizards and snakes. How does a snake swallow a wild pig? When does a lizard lose its tail? How does a fringe-toed lizard run on hot sand? 
Discoveries is a dynamic reference series for children. Atmospheric illustrations and photographs and lively text encourage children to discover more about the world around them. With a four-page fold-out in each title.' (Publication summary)

'This book has a lot of illustrations and some real photographs on the pages. I would use this book for a science center. Ages- 3-6+ '  (Publication summary)

'A funny modern princess-in-a-tower story about a poor little rich girl, some rotten robbers, a Harley Davidson motorbike, family, friendship, money, computers, books and babysitters. It's also about wanting a dog.' (Publication summary)

'The ancient Olympics were a religious festival as much as a sporting competition. The Games at Olympia honored Zeus, the ruler of heaven, and Nike, the goddess of victory. Nudes and Nikes gives the history of this event that has occurred every four years for the past 1,200 years.' (Publication summary)

'Minton the spotty salamander has leapt out of The Hottest Boy Who Ever Lived to have his own adventures. Minton loves things that move—boats, planes, cars, and trucks. And he always finds just what he needs to make these vehicles. After each story, there are directions for making Minton’s favorite modes of transportation out of everyday kitchen materials such as margarine tubs, plastic bottles, corks, and skewers.

'Minton can’t wait to make a boat so that he and his friend Turtle can sail to an island on the horizon. There they meet Bouncer the acrobat, who has been stranded since she made the most gigantic, enormous jump and flew right out of the city and over the ocean.' (Publication summary)

'Elizabeth Honey’s funny and accessible poems capture every day life in all its splendor from a child’s point of view. She takes as her subjects stick-loving dogs, messy siblings, beleaguered parents, kindly grandparents, and the wild boys down the street. And though many are silly, and a couple downright rude, taken together these poems exude enormous warmth and affection between young and old. The characters represented here are part of an extended family that we can all recognize and love.' (Publication summary)

'Someone else was suddenly there with us, taking up the same chunk of space. Aargh, it was the most horrible feeling, like millions of ants rampaging under my clothes...

'What's going on in the house over the back? Ren and Lee are seriously spooked by all those flashes of past lives and leftover feelings - but Emma has to live there. An overdose of ghosts is bad enough. Add in a punk bride, a witch on L plates and a bunch of grown-ups who just don't believe what they see, and you've got big trouble.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Minton loves things that move - boats, planes, cars, trucks. And he finds just what he needs to make them. Since Bouncer the acrobat has lost her bounce, Minton makes and aeroplane to fly her all the way back to the city. After reading the story, you can make Minton's aeroplane for yourself. Anna Fienberg and Kim Gamble have made many well-loved books ,including The Hottest Boy Who Ever Lived and the Tashi stories. You can sail the seas with Minton in Minton Goes Sailing.' (Publication summary)

'An endearing picture book about six young children on their first day at school - delightfully illustrated by Kim Gamble. A story book for parents to read with young children about to begin school, or for older children to read when they are remembering their first days at school.' (Publication summary)

'More exuberant, funny, naughty, thought-provoking poems for 7-11 year olds from the irrepressible Elizabeth Honey.'  (Publication summary)

'A power-hungry wizard has let loose the Wild Magic, and every creature in its path is transformed. An earl becomes a cat, a coachman turns into a ferret, the chancellor is suddenly a hobgoblin, even King Max begins to change. Will Floramonde ever be the same again? Princess Betony and Prince Basil are determined to find the wizard and rescue their country, braving wolves, giants and other dangers along the way. But they need help, and it comes from a surprising source.'  (Publication summary)

'Now in paperback, this is a clear, readable explanation of the machinery of government in Australia and of the people and processes involved, written for upper primary and lower secondary students but likely to prove valuable to many an adult as well.

'Who's Running This Country? explains how Australia is governed, why we have the system we do, how it works, and what changes are being discussed.' (Publication summary)