Children's Books

The Last Dragon Charles Massy

Timpo is a little dragon lizard of the Monaro region. There are none of his kind around and his only friend is a female wolf spider. As time goes by, Timpo longs to find other dragons, so Wolfie accompanies him as he searches the countryside, dodging predators and exploring the high country. A charming book with excellent factual material and delicate, expressive watercolour illustrations that capture the muted beauties of the open plains. I can see this on all the award lists! Ages 4-7 Lindy Hb $19.99

Bug Atlas

Amazing Facts, Fold-Out Maps and Life-Size Surprises

Joe Fullman

Let's have a look at the fascinating microcreatures of the world. Continent by continent, this book reveals creepy-crawlies galore! There are maps, gatefold pages, lift-the-flaps and life-size elements, all illustrated with a colourful mix of photography and art. From dinner-plate spiders to arms-length phasmids, zombie ants to iridescent beetles, tiny mites to monster millipedes, this is an entertaining and educational book for any budding entomologist! Ages 6-10 Lindy Hb $29.99 A splendid picture book version of Freeman's early childhood and life up to her triumph at the Sydney Olympic Games. The text is warm and direct, and full of love for her family and her joy in running, even when she came up against prejudice and uncertainty. An inspiring story complemented by slightly naive, colourful and expressive illustrations which capture the achievements and persistence of a national icon. A book to read again and again! Ages 6-9 Lindy Hb $24.99

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The Dinosaur Book Lonely Planet Kids

Dinosaurs are a perpetual source of wonder and this lively book covers 80 of the world's most interesting ones. From T-rex to pterosaur, sauropod to tiny little bird-ancestors, this reveals and illustrates their most fascinating features. It also covers the history of palaeontology and how our interpretations have changed with new fossil finds and technology. Fact-filled and fun, this will absorb readers aged 6-10. Lindy Hb $29.99

The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Peculiar Pairs in Nature

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Sami Bayly

The third Illustrated Encyclopaedia from this vastly talented natural history illustrator provides just as much fun and wonder as the other two - Ugly Animals and Dangerous Animals (Hb $32.99 each). This time, 60 of the most unusual pairings are illustrated and explained - from insects with plants, fish with invertebrates, and animals with insects - showing that 'the odd couple' is not a myth, but in fact makes evolutionary sense! Lindy Hb $32.99

The Best Cat, the Est Cat

Libby Hathorn

Who better to guide children around our precious State Library than Trim the cat? He shows off the biggEST and the smallEST and the most majESTic of articles in the library's collection - and all the other 'ests'! Written in rollicking rhyme that begs to be read out loud and exuberantly illustrated by Rosie Handley, who also includes many of the institution's treasures amongst her colourful pages. A wonderful introduction to Australia's oldest library. Ages 5-8 Lindy Hb $24.95

Wandi Favel Parrett

A dingo cub is snatched by an eagle, carried from his home, dropped, found and cared for at a sanctuary. Sounds like a tall tale? No, it really happened! Wandi is a pure alpine dingo and now resides at the Dingo Discovery Sanctuary and Research Centre in Victoria. This sweet and gentle retelling is from Wandi's pointof-view, with all the uncertainty and curiosity a little cub might feel. The text is accompanied by simple line drawings, and has factual material about dingoes at the back of the book. Perfect for ages 6-9 to not only enjoy the story of Wandi, but also to learn about the importance of dingoes in the natural environment. Lindy Hb $19.99

The Boy and the Elephant

Freya Blackwood

A young boy lives in the frantic city, but opposite his busy home is a patch of green where his friend - an elephant only he knows about - lives. When he learns that a new development will destroy the elephant's home, he finds a way to save his friend. A wordless book that allows the reader to concoct the tales contained within the gorgeously atmospheric and richly coloured illustrations, with a satisfying resolution. Ages 3 and up. Lindy Hb $24.99

Cat Problems Jory John

No-one has problems like this snarky feline! First he wakes up after only 19 hours sleep, then the other cat is in his favourite place (and his second and third and other favourites), the food in his bowl is the wrong sort, a vacuum cleaner impinges on his territory, and that sunny spot keeps shifting. Maybe meowing will help? Certainly the squirrel who tells him to be grateful for a comfortable life is not helping. AT ALL!! Wittily and expressively illustrated by Lane Smith, this absolute laugh-out-loud book is one that adults will enjoy as much as kids. Lindy Hb $26.99

Marcie Gill and the Caravan Park Cat

Monica McInerney

The award-winning novelist turns her hand to this delightful and uplifting tale of young Marcie. Her parents run Snorkel Bay's caravan park, but it's in financial trouble, they aren't speaking to each other, and Marcie's siblings aren't much help. Her grandmother is her only confidant, but she's broken a hip and is in hospital. Enter George the green-eyed black cat who can answer questions asked of him... and Marcie learns to tackle each of her problems with his wise counsel. A gentle story of kindness and community, enhanced by Danny Snell's illustrations.

Ages 8-12 Lindy Hb $19.99

Ben has always protected younger and less confident Luke, particularly after their dad left. They dream about a boat to explore their local creek, so when a competition to win one is announced, Ben encourages Luke to enter a book of his bird drawings. When Ben starts high school and a new friendship, Luke feels left out, and he feels betrayed when he discovers Ben is keeping secrets... A warm story about finding your own way in your own time, and of brotherly love, quietly touching on big issues without lecturing - and of the joys of birdwatching! Ages 9-12 Lindy Pb $14.99

Seven Wherewithal Way

Samantha-Ellen Bound

Celeste and Esme are having a very boring summer. It improves decidedly when their cousin Ferd crashes a flying bus in the front yard! They journey to the house at Seven Wherewithal Way - where a grouchy mermaid lives in the fountain and there's a giant in the library and a portal opens to a multitude of folkloric worlds - Celeste discovers something is trying to break through from the Realm of Forests. Suddenly, boring is looking good! Full of adventure and magic, this is the beginning of a new series. Ages 9-12 Lindy Pb $17.99

Tomorrow is a Brand-New Day

Davina Bell & Allison Colpoys

From this award-winning team comes another emotionally-intelligent, inclusive and reassuring picture book. Two young girls who live in the same block of flats are individually having a bad day. They experience a range of negative feelings which impact on those around them, but this book gives comfort that there are things you can do to make it better, that another day comes, and despite the hurt felt and caused, love will triumph. Exuberant and colourful illustrations. Ages 3-5 Lindy Hb $24.99

• CBCA Picture Book of the Year 2021 • The WA Premier's Prize for Writing for Children • Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators Crystal Kite Award A moving and visually stunning picture book that celebrates the transformative power of the creative process. Hb $25.99

Stellarphant James Foley

One ordinary Monday morning, Stella walks into Space Command and applies to be an astronaut. She's told they've never had an elephant astronaut before, which she knows. She wants to be the first! Every obstacle placed in her way no spacesuits that fit her, no training facilities her size, no rocket suitable, no crew prepared to fly with her is a problem she solves. And still they won't let her - till she realises she doesn't need their approval anyway! A delightful book about dreaming big and never giving up. Colourful and witty illustrations. Ages 3-6 Lindy Hb $24.99

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Asterix and the Griffin #39 Asterix

Jean-Yves Ferri & Didier Conrad

Follow Asterix and Obelix, along with Dogmatix and the druid Getafix, as they set out on a long journey in search of the fabled half-lion, halfeagle creature. Enjoy the subtle allusions to contemporary issues and all the fun and puns expected from this long-running series. Hb $29.99

How Spaceships Work

Clive Gifford

A splendid addition to the highly illustrated How Things Work series (Cities, Airports, Trains, Ships $24.99 each. This latest book takes readers through the intricacies of leaving earth, satellites, rockets, living in space, moon missions and probes, rovers and landers, plus much more! It's amazing how much information is packed into the pages, along with flaps and foldouts - hours of education disguised as entertainment! Highly recommended for ages 7-10. Lindy Board book $24.99

Wiradjuri Country

Larry Brandy

Wiradjuri is the second largest Country in Indigenous Australia, and Uncle Larry takes us on a journey covering rivers, grass and woodlands, rocky outcrops and the sky world. Lavishly illustrated, this book generously explains the connection to landscape, shares stories and gives Wiradjuri names and information about such things as birds, animals, plants and cultural management. Including colour photographs, this is a fine introduction to Indigenous knowledge for readers aged 6-10. Hb $24.99

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Big Love

Megan Jacobson & Beck Feiner

This delightfully bright and vibrant picture book with its rhythmic (rather than rhyming) text explains that whatever the size of a known object - a house, a city, the world, the universe - the love a parent has for their child is much bigger. Illustrated by Beck Feiner in a colourfully expressive way, this is a reassuring and beautifully designed book to share with pre-school ages. Lindy Hb $25.99

Spacewarp

Colliding Comets and Other Cosmic Catastrophes

Fred Watson

Fred, Australia's Astronomer-at-Large, is a passionate sharer of his cosmic-sized knowledge of all things space, and this wonderful book is aimed at his younger fans. Complete with drawings from the man himself, it provides a tour of the universe, with plenty of side trips into the quirkier and murkier regions. Full of answers to the sort of questions kids ask, this is both enlightening and entertaining in equal measure - and plenty of Fred's older fans will enjoy it too! Ages 10+ Lindy Pb $27.99