Cirrus@Austlit

'Childhood has long been a subject that has fascinated many of Australia's finest poets. In this volume, part of the Library's popular 'Little Book' series, Paul Cliff brings together works by 16 Australian poets that celebrate and reflect on the experience of growing up in Australia. Featured poets include Les Murray, Dorothy Hewett, Robert Adamson, Komninos and Jordie Albiston.' (Publication summary)

'Dogs are very much part of our lives - they are our companions and members of our families, they are our workmates and our guardians. Whether they are sleeping at our feet, chasing a ball along the beach or rounding up the sheep, our dogs have pride of place. The volume, part of the National Library's popular 'Little Books' series, the Little Book of Dogs celebrates the close relationship between Australians and their dogs through the delightful images from the Library's collection and poems by authors such as Henry Lawson, Oodgeroo Noonuccal (Kath Walker), Jack Davis and Les Murray.' (Publication summary)

'The poems in this volume, part of the Library’s popular ‘Little Books’ series, celebrate the feelings many Australians have for their cats — love for their elegance and poise, appreciation for their soothing presence, respect for their independence and aloofness, enjoyment of their antics, and reluctant acceptance of their ‘gifts’.

'In Little Book of Cats poems by authors such as Les Murray, William Hart-Smith and Gwen Harwood are accompanied by beautiful images from the Library’s collection, including engravings by Lionel Lindsay, a photograph by Harold Cazneaux and a painting by eighteenth-century Korean artist Pyon Sang-byok.' (Publication summary)

'Little Book of Weather reflects Australians' fascination with the weather of their arid continent: those on the land watch for stormy skies promising to relieve the parched ground, or grieve the loss of the top soil to the wind; those in towns and cities wait for rain to fill up the water tanks and reservoirs. People appreciate the beauty of the snow, of mist in the morning or of light streaming through the clouds. The years come and go, often marked by events that become part of Australian folklore—the 1895 Federation drought, the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires in Victoria and South Australia, the 1990 floods in New South Wales and Queensland, the February 7 2009 Victorian bushfires.

'The latest addition to the National Library of Australia's 'Little Books' series, Little Book of Weather features the work of some of Australia's much-loved poets, including Judith Wright, Les Murray, David Campbell, Mudrooroo, James McAuley, Banjo Paterson and Dorothea Mackellar, along with beautiful images from the Library's collection by Joseph Lycett, Edward Close, Ellis Rowan, Harold Cazneaux, Peter Dombrovskis, Olegas Truchanas, Katherine Nix and others.' (From the publisher's website.)

'Symbolising new life, the magical beauty of butterflies has featured in works of art and poetry for centuries. This volume, part of the National Library of Australia’s popular ‘Little Books’ series, Little Book of Butterflies is a delightful blending of images of Australian butterflies, from the Library’s collections, with Australian poetry.

'In the hands of artists such as Ellis Rowan, Harriet and Helena Scott, John Lewin and Charles McCubbin, the transience and beauty of these delicate creatures enliven the words of inspiration, hope and reflection by well-known poets including Judith Wright, Andrew Lansdown, Dorothy Shaw, Diane Fahey and Mudrooroo.

'A gorgeous showcase of butterfly illustrations and poetry, Little Book of Butterflies will appeal to all those searching for a perfect gift or a beautiful publication to savour for themselves.' (Publication summary

'The banksia is quintessentially Australian. Known and loved for its brush-like flowers and sweet honey nectar, the plant embodies both the beauty and harshness of the Australian landscape. Little Books of Banksias features poems and extracts by some of Australiaa s greatest poets, including Dorothy Hewett, Archie Weller and Douglas Stewart. The artists represented in the publication include Marian Ellis Rowan, Marrianne Collinson Campell, Adam Forster and Ebenezer Edward Gostelow.' (Publication summary)

'Orchid and flower art enthusiasts will love the last addition to the National Library of Australia’s popular ‘Little Books’ series. Little Book of Australian Orchids is a delightful pairing of orchid images, from the Library’s collections, with Australian poetry.

'In the hands of artists such as Ellis Rowan, Robert David Fitzgerald and Adam Forster, these exquisite flowers enliven the words of such well-known poets as Judith Wright, David Campbell and Andrew Lansdown. ' (Publication summary)