new on the shelf

When You're A Boy by Blake Nuto

A powerful and moving exploration of what it means to be a boy from an exciting new author-illustrator talent. Nuto gently unpacks gender expectations and dissolves ungelpful ideas of masculinity, encouraging children to embrace their whole selves.

Wander through forests, cross rivers and climb mountains in this powerful and moving exploration of what it means to be a boy.

Published by Affirm Press. RRP $24.99.

Billy the Kid Makes it Big by Dolly Parton

French bulldog Billy the Kid was born with an ear for music. And not just any music. He loves barking to the beat of country music! So Billy sets out to Nashville to sing his heart out. But when he meets some big bullies at the Battle of the Bow-wows, Billy worries he's barking up the wrong tree. He'll need his favorite songs ('Jowlene' and 'I Will Pawlways Love You', of course), a group of scrappy new friends and his favorite country music star to regain self-confidence and be the star he always knew he could be.

Published by Puffin. RRP $19.99.

Who Lives Here? by Julia Donaldson

A charming lift-the-flap story book! One little boy is very excited when he receives an invitation to go and play at his friend Dan's house. But there's just one problem, he doesn't know which house on South Street Dan lives in. Along the way he meets some very interesting neighbours, including a cook, a pirate and ghost. But which door does Dan live behind? A wonderful game of dressing-up awaits. Will he ever be able to find the right house?

Published by Macmillan Children's Books RRP $26.99.

The King's Hats by Sheila May Bird

A picture book about the reign of King Charles III, with gently rhyming text for children to explore all the roles the king might have to take on through the hats he will have to wear.

King Charles the III is now King of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, but he is finding his new crown just a little heavy to manage and he is worried that he might not be as beloved as his dear mama, Queen Elizabeth II. But his good friend Tom the gardener is on hand to show him that kings must wear all sorts of hats and that he must be brave and allow himself to be the king he was born to be.

Published by Welbeck. RRP $14.99.

Being Jimmy Baxter by Fiona Lloyd

A gently funny yet powerful coming-of-age middle grade novel about surviving the odds, unlikely friendships and the magical music of Elvis.

It’s not eggsactly easy being Jimmy Baxter 'cause: The real Jimmy's hiding inside, Ned Kelly’s giving him the evil eye, Mum’s stopped going to work and stays in bed, There’s no eggs in the fridge — or anything else and there’s new jobs, bad-at-school brains and a whole lot of trouble called Duke.

Published by Puffin. RRP $16.99.

Amber & Blue and the Hunt for DNA by Claudia Flandoli

Meet identical twins, Amber and Blue, and their lovable tour guide, Chirp. Together theyare going on an epic quest to find – and understand – DNA. After being shrunk down to microscopic size, they explore a cell filled with stubborn repressors, inexperienced ribosomes, versatile proteins and a host of other funny molecules and cellular structures that play key roles in the fundamental processes of genetics. This lighthearted, easy to navigate and factual graphic novel from Claudia Flandoli is the perfect introduction to genetics and a great accompaniment to science studies.

Published by Affirm Kids. Age 8-12 RRP $24.99.

One Song: Sometimes a song presses pause on the world

by A. J. Betts

Aspiring singer-songwriter Eva has one last chance to enter Triple J Unearthed High and break into the music industry. But after three failed attempts, she needs some help. Cue the band: perfectionist Eva, charismatic Cooper, easygoing Ant and moody Ruby. Plus fly-on-the-wall Mim, who's filming them for her school Media project. Five people who have nothing in common but music. One emotionally and creatively charged weekend. Can they record the most important song of their lives?

Published by Pan Australia. 13+ RRP $19.99.

Ghost Book by Remy Lai

July Chen sees ghosts. But her dad insists ghosts aren't real. So she pretends they don't exist. Which is incredibly difficult now as it's Hungry Ghost month, when the Gates of the Underworld open and dangerous ghosts run amok in the living world. When July saves a boy ghost from being devoured by a Hungry Ghost, he becomes her first ever friend. Except William is not a ghost. He's a wandering soul wavering between life and death. As the new friends embark on an adventure to return William to his body, they unearth a ghastly truth – for William to live, July must die.

Published by A&U Children's. Age 8 - 12 RRP $19.99

Beer Drinker’s Toolkit by Mick Wust

With the rapid rise of Aussie craft and non-alcoholic beers, a new book provides an insider’s guide to help you boost your beer knowledge. Passionate beer writer Mick Wust doesn't take himself or beer drinking too seriously and helps readers navigate the world of beer drinking – from the history, types of beer, best food pairings, non-alcoholic varieties, and how beer drinking is different around the world. Lavishly illustrated and accessibly written, think of this like the schoonerversity you wish you went to. Perfect timing for Father's Day gifts too!@

Published by Gelding Street Press RRP $32.99.

Born for You by Magdalena McGuire

Inspired by her experiences, McGuire delves into the lives of women at the crossroads of change. With twelve distinct but interconnected stories, Born For You reveals the myriad of ways that women are compelled to reinvent themselves and to confront how who they were intersects with who they have become. With each story McGuire peels back the myths surrounding the domestic space to reveal how much of a transition it requires from self to mother, from child to adult, from certainty to uncertainty.

Published by Ultimo Press. RRP $32.99.

Lunchbox Boss by George Geogievski

Packing the morning lunchbox is about to get a whole lot easier, with more than 50 quick and delicious ideas from the School Lunchbox Dad,.Discover new ways to feed your children well, with wraps, jaffles, savoury balls and muffins, simple bakes and hot thermos options, as well as bite-sized healthy treats. Every recipe includes tips on how to omit gluten, dairy and other common allergens, as well as clever ways to veganise, tempt fussy eaters or sneak in extra veg.

Published by Plum/Pan Macmillan Australia RRP $26.99.

The Life Swap by Barbara Hannay

Tess is feeling burnt out from her uninspiring job and her busy city lifestyle. Even her personal relationships make her feel as if she’s simply drifting through life rather than living it to the full. Her godmother Luna, who leads a very simple existence in a rustic cottage in the North Queensland rainforest, is also at something of a crossroads. Keen to expand her jewellery-making business, she needs the new connections that a bustling city offers. When she suggests to Tess that the two of them might swap homes for an extended period, it seems the perfect solution.

Published by Penguin Random House. RRP $32.99.