A Soldier, a Dog and a Boy

A moving story, told completely in dialogue, about a young Australian soldier in the battle of the Somme. Walking through the fields away from the front, he finds what he thinks is a stray dog, and decides to adopt it as a mascot for his company. Then he meets Jacques, the homeless orphan boy who ...

Stephen’s Tree

Stephen is allowed to choose a healthy baby gum tree from his Dad’s nursery only to find it is sold by mistake to someone else. How the tree comes back into the boy’s hands by a strange series of event is captured beautifully in Sandra Laroche’s soft, dreamy illustrations, her first picture storybook.

Lachlan’s Walk

Set at the dramatic cliffside called The Gap at Watson’s Bay, Sydney, this story is about a toddler who  wanders out the open gate, across the street to danger. This is a familiar story as his mother discovers he is missing and goes on a panicky chase for her child. Luckily Lachlan’s sister Lisa sees ...

The Tram to Bondi Beach

Libby Hathorn’s classic children’s picture book, Tram to Bondi Beach, with stunning illustrations by Julie Vivas. This wonderful story follows Keiran – who wants to be a paperboy and ride the running board of the trams that hurtle down the hill to the famous Bondi Beach. The only trouble is, when the newsagent hires him, the ...

Freya’s Fantastic Surprise

When her friend Miriam tells some fantastic news about a new tent at News Time in class, Freya just wants to outdo her. Every day Freya’s news is more and more fantastic until no one, not even her teacher, believes her. And then Freya truly does have a fantastic surprise to share. And that wonderful ...

The Garden of the World

Trapped in the barren landscape of the city, Mrs Paddy dreams of the garden of the world, so she and Jack embark on a journey of discovery to find it. Their dream becomes reality, as they work to bring together the elusive elements of the Garden of the World, in a wondrous garden in their ...

Stuntumble Monday

It’s her birthday soon and Metra can’t wait. She falls through a whole seven days of stunning adventures on the lookout for her birthday. But something makes her come back home and just as well! She has the best birthday every. Melissa Webb’s vital and humorous artwork makes each double page spread a delight.

Grandma’s Shoes

The child does not want to share her room with her little sister when Grandma dies. Finding some left-behind shoes of grandma’s she takes thrilling journeys. Finally she comes face to face with her grandmother, only to be told she must go back. Her grandma also tells her lovingly that she must wait until her ...

Way Home

It’s night and the dark is filled with strange sounds as Shane makes his way home. On a fence he finds a stray cat that at first growls and spits at him. But Shane talks and strokes the kitten to calmness, and decides to take the ‘Spitfire, Kitten Number One,’ home with him. No gang ...

The Wonder Thing

What is the wonder thing? If you explore every page of Peter Gouldthorpe’s miraculous lino cuts, you might guess what it is. It resides in Nature, it is vital to life and it’s ‘lovely as life is, for the life it will bring, splendid as rainbows, a miracle thing.’ If you haven’t guessed it already ...