y separately published work icon Solos series - publisher   children's fiction   children's  
Note: Series also published in the UK by Southwood.
Issue Details: First known date: 1997-2004... 1997-2004 Solos
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Notes

  • Series created by Dyan Blacklock in 1996 it was designed to create a model of the novel for a beginning reader.It is an easy-to-read series of illustrated fiction for beginner readers.

Includes

y separately published work icon I Want Earrings! Dyan Blacklock , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 1997 Z834514 1997 single work children's fiction children's

'With the help of her unconventional uncle, Carla may just get the earrings she longs for.' (Publication summary)

Norwood : Omnibus Books , 1997
y separately published work icon Jade McKade Jane Carroll , South Australia : Omnibus Books , 1997 Z834613 1997 single work children's fiction children's

'Jade McKade hates going to school. One morning she wakes up with spots - four hundred and six of them - and she can't go to school. Does Jade care?' (Publication summary)

South Australia : Omnibus Books , 1997
y separately published work icon Smart Dad Amanda Graham , South Australia : Omnibus Books , 1997 Z847678 1997 single work children's fiction children's

'When dad builds a boat, he thinks of everything - timber, sails, mast. There's just one thing he doesn't think of.' (Publication summary)

South Australia : Omnibus Books , 1997
y separately published work icon Dog Star Janeen Brian , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 1997 Z847699 1997 single work children's fiction children's

'Spud may be just a dog, but he's a star too! He can ride Jack's skateboard! When a big boy tries to steal the board, Spud shows that he's a superstar.' (Publication summary)

Norwood : Omnibus Books , 1997
y separately published work icon The Great Jimbo James Phil Cummings , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 1997 Z847755 1997 single work children's fiction children's

'Jimbo James wants to be a magician It looks easy so why does every trick he performs go wrong? Ages 6+.' (Publication summary)

Norwood : Omnibus Books , 1997
y separately published work icon Duck Down Janeen Brian , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 1997 Z847877 1997 single work children's fiction children's

'There are three lovely ducks in Mrs Bell's back yard - Quacker, Waddle-duck and Flapper. Who could be afraid of them? Sandra could!' (Publication summary)

Norwood : Omnibus Books , 1997
y separately published work icon The Best Pet Penny Matthews , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 1997 Z857814 1997 single work children's fiction children's

'Tom's new pet ferret is perfect. He can run fast and loves playing hide-and-seek. An engaging chapter book designed for newly independent readers. The funky illustrations will make reading solo a truly addictive experience.' (Publication summary)

Norwood : Omnibus Books , 1997
y separately published work icon Queen of the Universe Libby Gleeson , South Australia : Omnibus Books , 1998 Z833950 1998 single work children's fiction children's

'Big sister Gina is in the school play. She is the Queen of the Universe, and everyone in her family helps her to be a star. But when things go wrong, only one person can save the day!' (Publication summary)

South Australia : Omnibus Books , 1998
y separately published work icon Watch Out, William! Nette Hilton , South Australia : Omnibus Books , 1998 Z834076 1998 single work children's fiction children's

'William can ride his new BMX bike, but he's still a bit wobbly. When he's riding home from school one day, he starts to go downhill fast! Watch out, William!' (Publication summary)

South Australia : Omnibus Books , 1998
y separately published work icon Gabby's Fair Robin Klein , South Australia : Omnibus Books , 1998 Z834331 1998 single work children's fiction children's

'Why does Gabby's brother Matt have to choose what they do at the school fair? Gabby doesn't like the ferris wheel - and she hates the haunted house!' (Publication summary)

South Australia : Omnibus Books , 1998
y separately published work icon Cat Chocolate Kate Darling , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 1998 Z834595 1998 single work children's fiction children's

'Chester the cat loves his owner, Tina, and he loves chocolate treats. So when Tina's greedy cousin Ken comes to stay, Chester is not happy!' (Publication summary)

Norwood : Omnibus Books , 1998
y separately published work icon Green Fingers Emily Rodda , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 1998 Z834739 1998 single work children's fiction children's

'Sam doesn't know why Mr Green wants to plant things on the dry, brown hill. Nothing will grow there. You'd need to have green fingers!' (Publication summary)

Norwood : Omnibus Books , 1998
y separately published work icon Elephant's Lunch Kate Walker , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 1998 Z835036 1998 single work children's fiction children's Clara's mum gives Clara enough school lunch to feed an elephant, an awfully hungry elephant. But how much does an elephant really eat? Norwood : Omnibus Books , 1998
y separately published work icon Hot Stuff Margaret Clark , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 1998 Z847830 1998 single work children's fiction children's

'Harry loves to eat hot doughnuts. Yum! And it's fun to sell them from Hot Stuff, his family's new doughnut van. You can never have too many doughnuts - can you?' (Publication summary)

Norwood : Omnibus Books , 1998
y separately published work icon The Sea Dog Penny Matthews , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 1998 Z857820 1998 single work children's fiction children's

'Ben lives in a lighthouse, but he's afraid of the sea. Then he makes friends with a little white dog who isn't afraid of anything!' (Publication summary)

Norwood : Omnibus Books , 1998
y separately published work icon What a Mess Fang Fang! Sally Rippin , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 1998 Z863947 1998 single work children's fiction children's 'Fang Fang always makes a mess when she eats wontons. How can she be neat and clean like her twin cousins, Ling May and Ling Sun? Fang Fang is faced with a dilemma but when her grandmother (Nai Nai) makes her a present of a small jade cat Fang Fang grows in confidence. (From Back cover)
Norwood : Omnibus Books , 1998
y separately published work icon Cocky Colin Richard Tulloch , South Australia : Omnibus Books , 1999 Z835024 1999 single work children's fiction children's

'Colin is the bravest, cheekiest, cockiest cockroach in the world, and he's tired of living in the dark. He wants to go where the action is!' (Publication summary)

South Australia : Omnibus Books , 1999
y separately published work icon The Monster Fish Colin Thiele , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 1999 Z835030 1999 single work children's fiction children's

'It's time for the Big Boomer Fishing Contest. Ben's cousin Andy catches the biggest fish you ever saw - and then the most amazing thing happens!' (Publication summary)

Norwood : Omnibus Books , 1999
y separately published work icon Monkey Talk Moya Simons , South Australia : Omnibus Books , 1999 Z835033 1999 single work children's

'Toddler Bub Tub knows what she is saying - but one else seems to understand her, until she falls into a monkey cage at the zoo and has a great conversation with the monkeys.' (Publication summary)

South Australia : Omnibus Books , 1999
y separately published work icon Fuzz, the Famous Fly Emily Rodda , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 1999 Z835039 1999 single work children's fiction children's

'Fuzz the fly lives happily with his family and friends in a cosy rubbish bin. Then his picture appears in a newspaper, and soon Fuzz becomes a star.' (Publication summary)

Norwood : Omnibus Books , 1999
y separately published work icon Dog Star Janeen Brian , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 1997 Z847699 1997 single work children's fiction children's

'Spud may be just a dog, but he's a star too! He can ride Jack's skateboard! When a big boy tries to steal the board, Spud shows that he's a superstar.' (Publication summary)

London : Southwood , 2000
y separately published work icon Cocky Colin Richard Tulloch , South Australia : Omnibus Books , 1999 Z835024 1999 single work children's fiction children's

'Colin is the bravest, cheekiest, cockiest cockroach in the world, and he's tired of living in the dark. He wants to go where the action is!' (Publication summary)

London : Southwood , 2000
y separately published work icon Wild Things Cynthia Maxwell , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2000 Z1179411 2000 single work children's fiction children's

'Carla has wild animals in her bathroom: a yabby, a frog, and lots of tadpoles. She loves looking after them all, but Dad is a bit scared of them. He's even more scared when the yabby nips him on the finger and the frog jumps on his head. He tells Carla she'll have to find new homes for her pets. This book is aimed at children of ages 6 to 9.' (Publication summary)

Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2000
y separately published work icon Fuzz, the Famous Fly Emily Rodda , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 1999 Z835039 1999 single work children's fiction children's

'Fuzz the fly lives happily with his family and friends in a cosy rubbish bin. Then his picture appears in a newspaper, and soon Fuzz becomes a star.' (Publication summary)

London : Southwood , 2000
y separately published work icon Sticky Stuff Kate Walker , South Australia : Omnibus Books , 2000 Z835426 2000 single work children's fiction children's

'On the way to school, Sophie steps in sticky, gooey chewing gum — and she's stuck fast. How can she get free?

'She needs a clever idea!' (Publication summary)

South Australia : Omnibus Books , 2000
y separately published work icon Lily and the Wizard Wackoo Judy Fitzpatrick , South Australia : Omnibus Books , 2000 Z835516 2000 single work children's fiction children's

'Princess Lily loves to make magic, but she's still rather new at it and her older sisters Lucy and Emily aren't impressed by her mistakes.

'The tables are turned when an ancient, bumbling wizard puts a spell on Lucy and Emily. It's up to Lily (with the help of Douglas the dragon taxi) to rescue them.' (Publication summary)

South Australia : Omnibus Books , 2000
y separately published work icon Twin Trouble Sally Rippin , South Australia : Omnibus Books , 2000 Z863978 2000 single work children's fiction children's 'Fat Cheeks and Little Bean are twins. but they are not a bit alike. Fat Cheeks wants a real twin, one who looks exactly like her' (Source: WorldCat). South Australia : Omnibus Books , 2000
y separately published work icon What's in the River Janeen Brian , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2001 Z916764 2001 single work children's fiction children's

'Something strange is happening in the great, green river. The animals keep finding odd-looking things in the water. Where have they come from? And what should be done with them?' (Publication summary)

Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2001
y separately published work icon Spike Phil Cummings , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2001 Z916772 2001 single work children's fiction children's Old Joe and his dog Spike lead a quiet life, until the morning when Spike slips his leash, chases a cat, and is lost. He's rescued by a caring family, but he misses Joe. Will they ever find each other again? Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2001
y separately published work icon Maddy in the Middle Ian Bone , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2001 Z916775 2001 single work children's fiction children's

'Maddy doesn't have a special place in her family. She's not the youngest, or the oldest, or the cutest.

'But Silky the cat knows how special she is.' (Publication summary)

Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2001
y separately published work icon The Monster Fish Colin Thiele , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 1999 Z835030 1999 single work children's fiction children's

'It's time for the Big Boomer Fishing Contest. Ben's cousin Andy catches the biggest fish you ever saw - and then the most amazing thing happens!' (Publication summary)

London : Southwood , 2001
y separately published work icon Budgie Steven Woolman , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2001 Z970849 2001 single work children's fiction children's

'Lou's little blue budgie is her best friend. He keeps her company and cheers her up when she is sad. One day Budgie flies away, and she is devastated. She does everything she can to find her friend. Will she ever see him again? An easy reader for ages 6-8.' (Publication summary)

Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2001
y separately published work icon Make Me the Flowergirl! Pamela Freeman , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2001 Z970853 2001 single work children's fiction children's

'Presents the story of Megan, who has always wanted to be a flowergirl, but Nonna things she is too clumsy. Every time she moves, she knocks something over. Now Megan is six, and she has her chance at last. She is sure she can do the job perfectly. This book is aimed at children of ages 6-8.' (Publication summary)

Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2001
y separately published work icon What's Wrong, Aram? Janeen Brian , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2001 Z970856 2001 single work children's fiction children's

'For years Aram the elephant has taken children on rides, pulling a little train round the zoo. One day the rides stop and Aram has nothing to do. He starts to rock, backwards and forwards. No-one knows what is wrong with the sad rocking elephant until Deb comes to the zoo. For ages 6-8.' (Publication summary)

Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2001
y separately published work icon Jack's Owl Penny Matthews , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2001 Z970861 2001 single work children's fiction children's

'Deep in a dark, magical forest Jack finds an owl called Hoo. Hoo is clever and funny, and Jack really wants to keep him. But what does Hoo want?' (Publication summary)

Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2001
y separately published work icon Fit for a Prince Jeri Kroll , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2001 Z980866 2001 single work children's fiction children's

'Prince David the Daring loves ponies...all except one. Freddie is small and sturdy and brown. He is much too plain for a prince to ride. Solos have strong characterisation and narrative drive - all the elements of a real novel but with a simple story line. Easy story has easy words, chapters and short sentences and being limited to 1,000 words, each is designed to give newly independent readers a feeling of success.' (Publication summary)

Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2001
y separately published work icon Watch Out, William! Nette Hilton , South Australia : Omnibus Books , 1998 Z834076 1998 single work children's fiction children's

'William can ride his new BMX bike, but he's still a bit wobbly. When he's riding home from school one day, he starts to go downhill fast! Watch out, William!' (Publication summary)

London : Southwood , 2001
y separately published work icon Smart Dad Amanda Graham , South Australia : Omnibus Books , 1997 Z847678 1997 single work children's fiction children's

'When dad builds a boat, he thinks of everything - timber, sails, mast. There's just one thing he doesn't think of.' (Publication summary)

London : Southwood , 2001
y separately published work icon Elephant's Lunch Kate Walker , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 1998 Z835036 1998 single work children's fiction children's Clara's mum gives Clara enough school lunch to feed an elephant, an awfully hungry elephant. But how much does an elephant really eat? London : Southwood , 2001
y separately published work icon Gabby's Fair Robin Klein , South Australia : Omnibus Books , 1998 Z834331 1998 single work children's fiction children's

'Why does Gabby's brother Matt have to choose what they do at the school fair? Gabby doesn't like the ferris wheel - and she hates the haunted house!' (Publication summary)

London : Southwood , 2001
y separately published work icon Green Fingers Emily Rodda , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 1998 Z834739 1998 single work children's fiction children's

'Sam doesn't know why Mr Green wants to plant things on the dry, brown hill. Nothing will grow there. You'd need to have green fingers!' (Publication summary)

London : Southwood , 2001
y separately published work icon Toto and the Turkey Kate Darling , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2002 Z974114 2002 single work children's fiction children's

'Toto is a very small girl, and Turkey is a very large turkey. Toto is sure that Turkey wants to peck her, and she wishes that Turkey would just go away. One day Turkey does disappear, and Toto doesn't feel good about it at all. Ages 6-8.' (Publication summary)

Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2002
y separately published work icon Bill's Best Day Sofie Laguna , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2002 Z974120 2002 single work children's fiction children's

'No one has parents quite like Bill's mum and dad. On the day of his school fair, he hopes they will behave just like all the other parents. But Bill is in for a surprise!' (Publication summary)

Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2002
y separately published work icon Talk to Me Marguerite Hann Syme , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2002 Z979913 2002 single work children's fiction children's

'Lonely little Anna wants someone to play with - Mum, Dad, Uncle Jeff or Mum's friend Kath - but the adults are always on their mobile phones talking to the air. ' (Publication summary)

Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2002
y separately published work icon Little Fingers David Johnson , Craig Smith (illustrator), Adelaide : Omnibus Books , 2002 11575015 2002 single work picture book children's

'Presents a book from the acclaimed "Solo" fiction series of good stories, with chapters, using simple direct language for children of the 6 years and above age group. Kerry loves taking things apart and putting them together again. She makes a lot of mistakes but learns some valuable lessons from her repairman Dad.' (Publication summary)

Adelaide : Omnibus Books , 2002
y separately published work icon Croc Bait Leonie Robin Norrington , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2003 Z1038258 2003 single work children's fiction children's

'Croc Bait is the only Solo fiction story to be placed in a recognisably Australian setting, Black Bull Yard, a well-known fishing spot on the Daly River. Sean loves camping and fishing with his extended family, including his two uncles, Uncle Spook and Uncle Whistler. He'd love to go night fishing and croc hunting with the grown-ups, but is always told that he's too small. Early one morning he takes things into his own hands and sneaks out of the tent and down the river to check the fishing lines. A line tied to a big old fallen tree is moving round and round in the water. It's a fish! Excited, Sean walks out along the tree to pull it in. But unknown to him, he's being watched too, by a cold, sleepy crocodile. Luckily Uncle Spook comes to Sean's rescue with his spear-gun, and the two make a pact not to tell Mum and Dad. Sean finally has a nickname, just like Uncle Whistler and Uncle Spook. It's 'Croc Bait'. But only Sean and Uncle Spook know the story behind it!' (Publication summary)

Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2003
y separately published work icon Pat the Cat and Sailor Sam Margaret Wild , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2003 Z1038553 2003 single work children's fiction children's

'Sailor Sam and his cat Pat have grown too old to go away to sea. Now Sam is sad. He misses his old life. How can Pat make his friend happy again?' (Publication summary)

Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2003
y separately published work icon Shoo Cat Ian Bone , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2003 Z1050016 2003 single work children's fiction children's

'There's a strange cat at the back door. He keeps trying to get into Matt's house.

'What does he want?

'Shoo, cat! You don't live here!' (Publication summary)

Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2003
y separately published work icon What a Goat! Narelle Oliver , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2003 Z1050022 2003 single work children's fiction children's

'Tom's new goat, Ernie, is really special. He's more like a dog than a goat! But when Ernie is let out of his pen, he just can't stay out of trouble.' (Publication summary)

Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2003
y separately published work icon Big Al Phil Cummings , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2003 Z1080729 2003 single work children's fiction children's

'Big Al drives a delivery truck. One day Al's truck breaks down and he can't afford to have it fixed. To cheer himself up, he bakes a loaf of bread in the shape of his truck. His friends admire it so much that he makes more bread and sells it at the market, and soon can afford to fix the truck. This book is for children of ages 6 years and above.' (Publication summary)

Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2003
y separately published work icon The Dog Sitter Sue Walker , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2003 Z1080737 2003 single work children's fiction children's

'Jack really wants a dog of his own, but his parents say no. When he sees an ad asking for a dog sitter for a week, he decides that this is his chance to show his parents how responsible he can be. But to Jack's surprise, the dog is big, very big. And that's just the first surprise! This book is for children of ages 6 years and above.' (Publication summary)

Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2003
y separately published work icon Best Friends Sue Walker , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2004 Z1145062 2004 single work children's fiction children's

'Amy is Grace's best friend. They share everything - their lunch, their pencils, their secrets. Then one day Lisa asks to join their game. Grace goes hot and cold. How can she cope? She doesn't want to play with Lisa. She only wants to play with Amy - her best friend Amy.' (Publication summary)

Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2004
y separately published work icon Mary, the Big Brown Hairy Spider Lyn Lee , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2004 Z1146879 2004 single work children's fiction children's

'Mary the spider lives in the overgrown backyard of an empty house. No-one wants to be her friend, so she works hard at making her webs instead. When people move into the house, Mary makes lots of special webs just for them. Then one night she sees a strange person going in to the house - a burglar! She weaves an extra strong web and waits.' (Publication summary)

Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2004
y separately published work icon Fit for a Prince Jeri Kroll , Norwood : Omnibus Books , 2001 Z980866 2001 single work children's fiction children's

'Prince David the Daring loves ponies...all except one. Freddie is small and sturdy and brown. He is much too plain for a prince to ride. Solos have strong characterisation and narrative drive - all the elements of a real novel but with a simple story line. Easy story has easy words, chapters and short sentences and being limited to 1,000 words, each is designed to give newly independent readers a feeling of success.' (Publication summary)

London : Southwood , 2004

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: 1997
    • Norwood, Norwood, Payneham & St Peters area, Adelaide - North / North East, Adelaide, South Australia,: Omnibus Books , 1997-2004 .

Works about this Work

Untitled Rayma Turton , 2004 single work review
— Appears in: Magpies : Talking About Books for Children , March vol. 19 no. 1 2004; (p. 29)

— Review of Solos 1997-2004 series - publisher children's fiction
A Visit to Omnibus Publishing with John Cohen John Cohen , 2000 single work column
— Appears in: Reading Time : The Journal of the Children's Book Council of Australia , May vol. 44 no. 2 2000; (p. 3)
Untitled 1997 single work review
— Appears in: Reading Time : The Journal of the Children's Book Council of Australia , November vol. 41 no. 4 1997; (p. 24)

— Review of Solos 1997-2004 series - publisher children's fiction
Untitled 1997 single work review
— Appears in: Reading Time : The Journal of the Children's Book Council of Australia , November vol. 41 no. 4 1997; (p. 24)

— Review of Solos 1997-2004 series - publisher children's fiction
Untitled Rayma Turton , 2004 single work review
— Appears in: Magpies : Talking About Books for Children , March vol. 19 no. 1 2004; (p. 29)

— Review of Solos 1997-2004 series - publisher children's fiction
A Visit to Omnibus Publishing with John Cohen John Cohen , 2000 single work column
— Appears in: Reading Time : The Journal of the Children's Book Council of Australia , May vol. 44 no. 2 2000; (p. 3)
Last amended 17 Sep 2021 08:47:13
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