Baby & toddler Are We There Yet? Lift the Flap and Play I-spy!
Once I Heard a Little Wombat Colour Dog Matthew Van Fleet | Board $29.99
Shhh! Dorothée De Monfreid | Board $16.99 All the dogs are fast asleep until Popov starts to snore very, very loudly and they start to wake. Nono wants a story, Pedro wants to switch beds and Zaza wants a glass of water and on it goes. Will anyone get any sleep? Toddlers will delight in the mayhem of a noisy snorer in the house.
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In this funny, irreverent board book, follow the playful dogs as they get up to mischief. Toddlers can learn colours while engaging with the interactive aspects of the book - flaps, tabs, touch-and-feel panels and scratch-and-sniff. You’ll very much enjoy these pups and their messy, smelly antics.
Axel Scheffler’s Flip Flap Jungle
Listen to the Farm / Listen to the Music
Axel Scheffler | HB $15.99
Marion Billet | Board $15.99 each
What do you get when you cross a parrot and a monkey? This funny and colourful book is full of wacky animal combinations, as well as amusing and educational rhymes about jungle animals. Learn and laugh in this wonderful new creation by much-loved author and illustrator Axel Scheffler.
A delightful new series of board books with beautiful sounds that bring each picture to life. Whether it’s animals on a farm or different musical instruments, these books will have the little ones enchanted and adults will want to read these again and again!
Renée Treml | Board $14.99 Board book is the perfect format for this delightful little tale in which a joey is looking for a friend. Treml’s illustrations are lovely and playful and the rhyming text, with its repetition of animal sounds and movements, makes it a read-aloud gem for babies and toddlers.
Alison Lester | HB $19.99 Join Grace and her family on an epic adventure around Australia, playing I-spy along the way. Travel across the Nullarbor; see the colours of Uluru; and brave the wind at the Twelve Apostles. A beautiful tribute to the gorgeous landscapes and vibrant culture of Australia, this is a classic picture book reimagined in a new, interactive format perfect for younger children.
ABC Dreaming Warren Brim | PB $17.95 Queensland artist and descendant of the Djabugay people, Warren Brim brings us this bright and colourful, indigenous-themed alphabet book. It was developed with early childhood specialists and is simply delightful. Featuring all the Australian favourite animals as well as some less obvious ones, this picture book is perfect as an overseas gift because of the uniquely Aussie fauna and style.
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Picture Book s
r Baby & toddle Perfect How to Hug with Hugless Douglas David Melling | HB $19.99 Hugless Douglas is back and as huggable as ever when he has a hugging competition with his friends. A lovely gift for little ones who love to ‘hug’ Douglas with this soft touch-and-feel cover. Free Hugless Douglas soft toy with book purchase while stocks last.
Danny Parker and Freya Blackwood HB $24.95 Multi-award winning illustrator Freya Blackwood teams with author Danny Parker to bring to life the joy and delight children can have with a few material ‘things’ and lots of imagination – something all children have in abundance. The delightful interplay of words and pictures reminds us that it is the simple things in life that can bring us the most joy and happiness. A beautiful picture book that is simply perfect!
What Do You Wish For? Jane Godwin and Anna Walker | HB $24.99 Sometimes, what you wish for is not a thing, but a wonderful warm feeling that you never want to lose. So Ruby discovers in this charming picture book that captures everything that is enchanting about a community celebrating Christmas together. Lyrical text and gentle illustrations combine to create a beautiful Australian Christmas story.
Miffy the Artist: Lift-the-Flap Book Dick Bruna | Board $17.99 Miffy and her friends have been charming young readers for 60 years now, helping them learn about objects and words. In this fun little liftthe-flap book Miffy visits the art gallery and soon learns that inspiration for art can be found in all the shapes and colours around her. Perfect for budding little artists.
This & That Mem Fox and Judy Horacek | HB $19.99 From the very successful duo that brought us Where is the Green Sheep comes a fun, rhythmical new story that is sure to delight the very young. We meet a chimp with a magic hat, kings and queens who love to chatter and an array of other playful characters in between. A delightful bedtime story that will want to be read over and over.
Remarkably Rexy Craig Smith | HB $24.99
I Need a Hug
Rexy is the most dazzling cat on Serengeti Street. Like all superstars, he takes care of his good looks and practices his cool moves in the hope of impressing the kids coming home from school. Until Pretty Pamela, a winsome Siamese, comes along and threatens to take all the attention. Can Rexy keep his place in the spotlight?
Aaron Blabey | HB $16.99 Little Hedgehog just wants a hug, but everyone he asks yelps and runs away. Are his big long spikes really that scary? Starting to feel sad the little hedgehog wonders if he will ever make a friend. A wonderfully cute story that combines Aaron Blabey’s unique sense of humour with an important lesson.
This Little Piggy Went Dancing Margaret Wild and Deborah Niland | Board $12.99 This book is a playful take on the traditional ‘This Little Piggy’ nursery rhyme that is sure to delight young children. The little pigs we know so well from the familiar nursery rhyme now do all sorts of unexpected things like hula, jump, skip, zoom and whiz until the last little piggy runs ‘wee wee wee all the way home’!
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Picture Books
Brave As Can Be: A Book of Courage Jo Witek and Christine Roussey | HB $19.99
Charlie and Lola: One Thing Lauren Child | HB $24.99
Ollie and the Wind Ronojoy Ghosh | HB 24.99 Ollie lives on a windy island and spends a lot of time on his own. One day the wind steals Ollie’s hat right off his head. Next it takes off with his scarf. When the wind makes off with his balloon he starts to wonder if it might be trying to play with him. A charming introduction to environmental issues in this bright and breezy tale of friendship.
Everyone’s favourite picture book siblings return! In One Thing, Child’s wonderful, trademark style, is a hilarious introduction to maths, as Charlie and Lola add and subtract their way through breakfast, ducks, leaves and rain on a trip to the shops. Sometimes choosing just One Thing can mean considering a lot of numbers on the way. Absolutely gorgeous!
This is a book about the simple fears of toddlers and the warmth and support of an older sibling. Those little things that can overwhelm little people, like thunderstorms and barking dogs. A big sister can be just the person to offer comfort and strategies and help make a huge problem seem like nothing after all.
There’s a Monster in My Fridge Caryl Hart and Deborah Allwright | HB $19.99 There are monsters hiding everywhere, with pointy teeth and tangly hair! In each cupboard and through each door, each page reveals one monster more. A fantastic and colourful rhyming story with vampires, skeletons and all things gory. A great read for your little one, you’ll be starting again as soon as you’re done.
My Dog Bigsy Alison Lester | HB $24.99 Alison Lester, one of Australia’s favourite picture book creators, delivers a delightful tale about a little dog who causes a big commotion. Each morning Bigsy visits all the animals on the farm, which causes a cacophony of noises that kids will be sure to imitate.
I’m a Girl! Yasmeen Ismail | PB $15.99
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Full of vibrant illustrations and featuring a character that jumps off the page; this is a powerful story that encourages girls to take on the world with courage and confidence, to believe in themselves, to jump life’s hurdles, and to not be afraid to live outside the box.
Adelaide’s Secret World Elise Hurst | HB $24.99 Adelaide lives a quiet life, alone. She spends her days observing those around her but after a chance encounter with a fox, Adelaide’s world changes. This beautiful picture book celebrates the comfort we can find in friendship, the reward that change can bring and the delight in finding the one in life who speaks to our heart.
That’s Not Mine Anna Kang and Chris Weyant | HB $24.99 Two creatures both want to sit in the same comfy chair. The trouble is they can’t agree who it belongs to! This silly and simple take on sharing will be a wonderful addition to any child’s bookshelf. Kang’s stripped-down dialogue and Weyant’s exuberant cartoons combine in a story that highlights the foolishness of fighting when there’s fun to be had.
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Picture Book s
Peter and the Wolf Ayesha L. Rubio | HB $19.95 In this modern retelling of a classic tale a young boy has a close encounter with a wolf in his garden. What unfolds will lead readers to discover an important message of respecting all people and creatures for their differences, the rewards to be gained from looking after one another and the importance of standing up for what you believe in. A timeless picture book sure to lure a new audience.
See You Later, Alligator Sally Hopgood and Emma Levey | PB $12.99
Tiny Whale – A Fishy Tale Joshua George and Puy Pinollos | PB $12.99
Scarlett, Starlet Emma Quay | HB $24.99 Scarlett loves to dance. She prances and trots and twirls around her house while her parents and dog, Jo-Jo Paws, clap and dance along. Scarlett dreams of dancing on stage to the applause of the audience, but when the time comes will she be brave enough to perform in front of all those people? A gorgeous story for anyone who loves to boogie.
Have You Seen Elephant? David Barrow | PB $15.99 When Elephant suggests a game of hide-and-seek you would think it would be easy but he is very good at the game and takes his friend all over the house looking for him. Beautifully illustrated, young children will delight in the simplicity of this timeless game and the fun of elephant’s hiding places. See if you can spot him!
Jill and Dragon
Two books full of beautiful illustrations and fun stories. In Tiny Whale, Gerald the goldfish is tired of being one among many. He travels the sea to find different fish and discovers that a little fib can go a long way. See You Later, Alligator tells a tale of a tortoise about to embark on a big adventure and he has to say goodbye to ALL his friends at the zoo. A great book to teach kids about different animals and rhyming idioms.
I’ll Wait, Mr Panda Steve Antony | HB $24.99 In this witty picture book primer on patience, Mr Panda is making a big surprise. What is it? The other animals must wait and see. But waiting is BORING. Only one little penguin has the patience and politeness to stick around. Will he be rewarded? Once again, Steve Antony’s unforgettable Panda provides a hilarious lesson in good manners.
Lesley Barnes | HB $24.99 When Jill noticed that not everyone lived happily ever after she decided it was time to act. Jill rescues a dragon from a storybook and tries to teach him how to do all her favourite things but dragons really are no good at flower arranging or tea parties. Dragon is sad until Jill strikes upon an ingenious plan to make the story end happily ever after for everyone.
Kitchen Disco Clare Foges and Al Murphy | PB $13.99 Hilarious! Truly hilarious! Do you know what the fruit in your fruit bowl gets up to while you’re sleeping? No? Well you’re about to find out and you’ll be so excited you’ll want to join in! There’s an irreverent dance party happening in your kitchen and this book reads like a song so you’ll be singing along in no time! Shake it like a mango, people! Woo!
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Please, Open This Book! Adam Lehrhaupt and Matthew Forsythe HB $24.99 You have been warned - please don’t close this book! The last time this book was closed all sorts of disasters occurred. The crocodile has a broken leg, the toucan’s beak is damaged, and a completely innocent banana was squashed beyond repair. Who knew closing a book could be so dangerous? This wonderful picture book puts the reader in control of the story.
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Green Lizards vs Red Rectangles Steve Antony | HB $24.99 The green lizards are standing their ground against the red rectangles who are trying to invade their space - always fighting, never a moments rest. Can they find a way to make peace and live together? A vividly illustrated and thoughtprovoking story for younger readers on the issues of war and the importance of finding a way to live in peace.
oks o B e r u t c i P r e Old
The Marvellous Fluffy Squishy Itty Bitty Beatrice Alemagna | HB $27.99 When Edie wakes to realise it is her Mum’s birthday she sets off to the shops to find the perfect gift! This is a wonderful story of self-discovery told through rich, quirky narrative and charming, mixed-media and illustrations. The zingy pops of fluorescent pink draw the reader’s eye in this celebration of a child’s unlimited imagination.
The Skunk Mac Barnett and Patrick McDonnell HB $19.95 A man walks out his front door and finds a skunk on his doorstep; a mile down the road the man realises the skunk is following him. What follows is a hilarious game of hide-and-seek, with a delightful twist. With beautiful retro illustrations, this is a wonderfully imaginative and funny story.
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The Day the Crayons Came Home Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers HB $24.99 Duncan’s crayons are back in this hilarious sequel to The Day the Crayons Quit! Postcards start arriving from his neglected crayons who are very cross and want to come home. Well, how would you feel if you had been lost down the back of the couch. Daywalt and Jeffers have again given us an absolute gem of a book that is a delight to read aloud - over and over again and not just for the kids!
Imaginary Fred Eoin Colfer and Oliver Jeffers HB $27.99 No, you’re not imagining things! This really is the work of two of the greatest kids’ authors and illustrators working today. With their unique talents combined, they have created a brilliant, quirky picture book about finding friendship - and keeping it - even if you happen to be imaginary. A truly delightful read.
The Boy, the Bear, the Numerical Street Baron, the Bard and Hilary Bell Other Dramatic Tales and Antonia Pesenti Gregory Rogers HB $29.99 Follow the adventures of a curious boy as he falls through the curtains of a deserted theatre and lands in Shakespeare’s London where he meets a grumpy bard, a bear and a baron. Further adventures with the bear follow in a faerie forest with swashbuckling sword fights. Three wordless picture books in one big bumper volume that demands to be read over and over again.
HB $24.99
Alphabetical Sydney was a hit last year for adults and children alike. This year its creators Bell and Pesenti put their unique collage illustrations to cake shops, panel beaters and beauty salons with a running number scheme throughout. Kids love these books but they also make wonderful gifts for anyone who appreciates Australian scenery and amazing graphic design.
Asterix and the Missing Scroll Jean-Yves Ferri and Didier Conrad HB $24.99 A brand new Asterix, now that’s something to celebrate! The long awaited 36th Asterix book (yes, you read that right – 36). You won’t be disappointed with this latest tale of derring-do and solving of mysteries with Asterix, Obelix and their friends – and enemies. If you haven’t already introduced young readers (or yourself) to Asterix what are you waiting for?
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Junior Fiction The Adventures of Miss Petitfour Anne Michaels | HB $19.99 The language dances in this fanciful tale about Miss Petitfour and her sixteen cats; the narrator cleverly drawing attention to the language of storytelling throughout. This enchanting book contains five short stories with delightful colour illustrations that will charm independent readers or make for a fun bedtime read-aloud.
Kizmet and the Case of the Smashed Violin / Kizmet and the Case of the Tassie Tiger Frank Woodley | PB $9.99 each
For Kizmet, her internationally renowned and bumbling police detective father Spencer Papanicillo and offsider Gretchen, chasing criminals around the globe is one madcap adventure after another. With terrific word play and zany illustrations, this series from comedian Frank Woodley is great fun for all. Oh by the way, did I mention that Gretchen is a currawong?
Violet and the Hidden Treasure / Violet and the Pearl of the Orient Harriet Whitehorn and Becka Moor | HB $19.99 each Violet Remy-Robinson is clever and curious and can never leave a mystery unsolved. In her first adventure Violet spends her holidays in exotic India where she uncovers a plot to steal her friend’s, The Maharaja, fortune. What will Violet discover in her latest escapade? A veritable Agatha Christie detective story for little readers that fans of Lauren Child will absolutely adore.
Bad Guys: Episode One / Bad Guys: Episode Two
Danny Parker and Guy Shield | PB $12.95 Lola’s Toy Box is about a girl who goes on adventures with her toy clown Buddy. I recommend these books for the people who like The Wishing Chair. But it is easier to read so you can read it by yourself. I like the map at the back of the book that shows you all the different places Lola goes to. My favourite book was The Plastic Palace where they had to work out the secret code. I can’t wait to read the next book of Lola’s Toy Box!
Zoe, age 7
Danny Best: Full On Jen Storer and Mitch Vane | PB $16.99 Meet Danny Best - confident, rambunctious and always up for a bit of cheeky fun. Along with his friends Fab, Clancy, Sticks and Dylan (as well as his bestdog Pugsley) Danny turns every day into a memorable one and is always up for adventure. Perfect for fans of Weirdo, Tom Gates and Wimpy Kid but with a decidedly Australian flair!
The Fairy Dancers Natalie Jane Prior and Cheryl Orsini | HB $19.99 Mia, Emma and Grace love nothing more than to dance. Miss Ashleigh’s dancers always wear pink. What is Emma to do with her heart set on dancing in a pair of blue ballet shoes? A fairy story is just not a fairy story without a touch of magic. Read about three friends and their fairy world of princesses, palaces, a prince on a chariot and the delight in keeping secrets as friends do.
The Cat with the Coloured Tail
Aaron Blabey | Ep 1: PB $9.99 & Ep 2: PB $12.99
Gillian Mears and Dinalie Dabarera | HB $19.95
Episode One was funny because the bad guys were trying to be good guys and it didn’t exactly go right. It’s entertaining, it’s not too long and the pictures are really funny, especially when they saved the cat who was wearing clothes. Once you start it gets so enjoyable and funny that you just keep on reading it to the end. I can’t wait to read Episode Two.
Mr Hooper and the Cat with the Coloured Tail deliver love and happiness to those most in need, in the form of delicious moon-creams. But will they be strong enough to heal the heart of the world? This stunningly illustrated hardcover is a beautiful, lyrical, modern fable about love, friendship and caring.
Peter, age 7
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Lola’s Toybox: On the Story Sea / The Patchwork Picnic / The Plastic Palace / The Treasure Trove
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Middle Fiction
Junior Fiction Mister Cassowary
Samantha Wheeler | PB $14.95
Mango & Bambang: The Not-a-Pig (Book One) Polly Faber and Clara Vulliamy | HB $17.95 Mango is an intelligent girl who just happens to meet Bambang, a tapir. There’s a lot a tapir needs to learn about living in a busy city and Mango is the perfect person to help him out! This quirky and amusing story about friendship and differences presented in a gorgeous fully illustrated hardcover will make a lovely gift for new readers.
Tiny Timmy: #1 Soccer Superstar Tim Cahill | PB $12.99 Soccer tryouts go badly for Timmy. His small stature means that he’s easily pushed out of position and he’s not chosen. Fortunately, Timmy’s not discouraged. He’s going to practice every spare minute he can and he’s going to make himself grow taller! A hilarious look at the importance of perseverance and practice, inspired by Socceroo champion Tim Cahill’s own experiences.
Junior Fiction - Next In Series
When city kid Flynn heads north to his grandad’s farm he expects some answers to his many questions. Instead he finds more mysteries and family secrets, and at the heart are the unique cassowaries. A compelling and moving Australian story, part mystery, part conservation tale, which includes cassowary facts and information about the conservation effort.
Demolition Dad Phil Earle and Sara Ogilvie | PB $14.99 I loved this very funny dad and son story. Jake’s dad is a secret weekend wrestler but Jake wants more. Sad to say fame is not always what we hope it will be and lots of love and understanding is needed to sort out the mess.
Grandpa’s Great Escape David Walliams | PB $19.99 Everything we have come to expect from bestselling author David Walliams - a cast of slightly crazy characters caught up in wonderfully madcap adventures topped off with lots and lots of heart. A beautiful story built around the bond between young Jack and his beloved grandpa. If you haven’t read any Walliams, this is a great place to start.
The Cleo Stories: A Friend and a Pet Libby Gleeson and Freya Blackwood HB $16.99 From the award-winning team of Gleeson and Blackwood, come two more gorgeous stories for young readers about Cleo. Stunningly illustrated throughout, they tell of a young girl with a problemsolving imagination. Winner of the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Book of the Year: Younger Readers.
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The Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party Shannon Hale, Dean Hale and LeUyen Pham HB $19.95 Our favourite super-ninjamonster-fighting princess is back! It is Princess Magnolia’s birthday and all she wants to do is spend time with her friends and open her multitude of presents, but inconvenient monster alarms and goat-herders in distress keep interrupting! Jam-packed with slapstick humour and wonderful comic timing this is sure to be a before-bed hit.
Izzy Folau 3: Pushed to the Limit Izzy Folau 4: Standing Tall David Harding and Izzy Folau PB $14.99 each Another sport series written in conjunction with a sporting star, this series is great fun for the Rugby Union fan. Each chapter is told from a different child’s perspective as they play their way through a rugby tournament. Each book has character/ player profiles at the end and some pro tips from Izzy himself. An enjoyable read for sport fans and reluctant readers.
Middle Fiction KidGlovz Julie Hunt and Dale Newman | HB $24.99 KidGlovz is a musical genius with a gift so precious he is kept locked away by a cruel guardian. That is until a young thief helps him to escape and together they embark on a dangerous journey. This beautifully drawn graphic novel is a captivating fantasy that will appeal to 9+ readers who love a good adventure.
Molly and Pim and the Millions of Stars Martine Murray | PB $14.99 This is an exquisitely written tale of friendship, individuality and acceptance that should be compulsory reading this summer. Molly’s mother is not like other mothers and she longs to have a life as ‘normal’ as the one her best friend Ellen has. This novel is a lovely, magical exploration of growing up and becoming the person you are meant to be.
Olive of Groves Katrina Nannestad and Lucia Masciullo | HB $19.99 Olive is a girl who goes to Mrs Groves’ Boarding School for Naughty Boys, Talking Animals and Circus Performers. It is very funny and in all ways fun to read. The naughty boys are always hilarious. I like it when Olive turns up to acrobatics in bathers and bunny slippers.
Clare, age 9
The Wolf Wilder Katherine Rundell | HB $19.99 Feo and her mum live in the wintery backwoods of Russia where they help wolves, once captured and tamed as pets, back to their rightful place in the wild. When a cruel commandant in the Tsar’s army threatens their life, Feo must go on the run. The snowy white wildernesses lend a Russian folktale feel to this beautifully told story of a girl and her wolves.
The Doldrums The Marvels Brian Selznick | HB $34.99 A new Brian Selznick title is always a cause for excitement and in no way does The Marvels disappoint. This brilliant journey through time in words and pictures is set in two opposing Londons – 1776 and 1990. The two complex and apparently unconnected stories deftly woven together through gorgeous art and writing – this is a powerhouse of a book.
The Fyrelit Tragedy / Lost Kingdom Nicholas Lochel and Alison Lochel | PB $16.99 each Zarkora is a series that follows two boys and their companions to find and rescue the boy’s younger sister Skye. The reason I fell in love with these books is because of the good humour and wonderful characters. The strangest things happen to the characters and yet they still have funny yet semi-realistic responses.
Louis, age 12
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Nicholas Gannon | HB $24.99 Author Nicholas Gannon transports readers into the world of Archer B. Hemsley, a young boy who is busting for adventure. Not everyone grows up with grandparents who are famous explorers and to Archer who has never met them; his grandparents are a complete mystery wrapped in secret – a secret he desperately wants to know. Full of fun, a wonderful adventure story that once you start reading you won’t be able to stop.
Stonebird Mike Revell | PB $16.99 When Liam and his family move to be closer to his grandmother, he discovers that the stories he tells come true. He tries to use this newfound power to help his family and along the way he makes friends with his would-be bully, and learns that not every problem in life has a solution. Full of mystery, suspense and a touch of fantasy, this story will grab the imagination and warm the heart.
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Middle Fiction - Next In Series
Ranger’s Apprentice The Early Years 1: The Tournament at Gorlan John Flanagan | PB $18.99
The 13-Storey Treehouse The 26-Storey Treehouse The 39-Storey Treehouse The 52-Storey Treehouse The 65-Storey Treehouse
The legions of fans of the Ranger’s Apprentice series will want to get their hands on this origin story which brings readers to a time before Will was a Ranger’s apprentice and lays the groundwork for the epic battles that are to come. This is the first in a new prequel series featuring everyone’s favourite Ranger, Halt. If you’re not already a fan this is a good place to get hooked!
Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton | PB $12.99
300 Minutes of Danger
This series really doesn’t need much introduction. In the latest instalment, thirteen stories have been added to the Treehouse and with it another assortment of outrageous characters and goings on. There’s never a dull moment for Andy, Terry and Jill in what has become the fastest selling Australian book in the past decade. There couldn’t be a better way to foster a love of books and reading than sharing these great stories with the children in your life.
Jack Heath | PB $9.99 This book is a terrific, on the edge of your seat thriller. You get your own chance to race against the clock in this book of ten adventure stories. From runaway trains, nuclear fallout and things much, much more sinister, ten protagonists brave dangerous situations with only 30 minutes to make their escape. With a countdown schedule listed on each page, time is really of the essence.
Star of Deltora: #1 Shadows of the Master Emily Rodda | PB $9.99
Star of Deltora: #2 Two Moons Emily Rodda | PB $15.99
In this triumphant return to the land of Deltora we enter a world of shipwrights, merchants and piracy. Set on the island of Del, we meet Britta whose lifelong dream is to become a Trader and sail the Star of Deltora – the finest ship on the seas. Full of complex, ambitious and rich characters this is essential reading for all young, adventurous souls.
Netball Gems 1: Hooked on Netball Netball Gems 2: Chase Your Goal Lisa Gibbs and Bernadette Hellard | PB $12.99 Did I like it? Yes. Did anything connect to my life? Yes. Did anything scare me? No. Did anything surprise me? Sort of. If you play netball or are interested in sport, this series is a must read. The characters and stories were exciting and I did not want to put the books down. The tips on game play were also really useful. I think boys and girls aged 8+ would enjoy this book.
Bella, age 9
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Breath of the Dragon The Mapmaker Chronicles: Book 3
Friday Barnes 3: How To Train The Luna Big Trouble Your Dragon: 12: Laboratorium R. A. Spratt PB $15.99
How to Fight a Dragon’s Fury
N. J. Gemmell PB $16.99
A. L Tait | PB $14.99
Friday Barnes is a modern-day Nancy Drew with a penchant for wearing a porkpie hat. Things get complicated for Friday when her mother is kidnapped, a new girl with a royal background joins the school and her latest case involves a villain known only as The Pimpernel. Literally laugh-out-loud funny, this series is bound to be a favourite.
Cressida Cowell PB $19.99
The Caddy kids are still on the hunt for their mum. They have travelled the world to find her only to discover that she may be closer to home than they thought. So it’s back to Sydney to resume their search. A thrilling series with four lovable Aussie rouges.
Hang onto your mainsails, the third instalment of The Mapmaker Chronicles is here! Will Quinn, Ash and Captain Zain fulfill their mission to be the first to map the world before their deadline is up? Or will their thrilling encounters and breathtaking escapades see them sunk?
In the epic finale of this fantastic series, it’s the Doomsday of Yule – dragons versus humans. Can Hiccup prevail against Alvin the Treacherous and ensure dragonkind’s survival? There’s only one way for readers to find out!
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Crossover
Fiction
Magnus Chase and the Sword of Summer (Book 1) Rick Riordan PB $22.99
Goodbye Stranger Rebecca Stead | PB $16.99 Rebecca Stead creates extraordinary, beautiful stories, and Goodbye Stranger is no exception. In this story of three friends starting high school, she sensitively deals with a host of modern-day issues in this story about first relationships and long-term friendships, about making the wrong choices and their repercussions, and about choosing which version of yourself you most want to be.
Thirteen Days of Midnight Leo Hunt | PB $15.99 Reading Thirteen Days of Midnight was great. The main character, a 16-year-old boy called Luke Manchett, was a typical teenager until his dad died and left him 6 million dollars. But because his father was a necromancer he also inherited 8 ghosts. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to 14-17 year olds. If you liked Skullduggery Pleasant then try it.
Curiosity House: The Shrunken Head (Book One) Lauren Oliver and H. C. Chester PB $19.99 Blessed with extraordinary abilities, orphans Philippa, Sam and Thomas have grown up happily together. But when a fourth child, Max, joins the group, it sets off an unforgettable chain of events. As spooky as Miss Peregrine and as fun as Lemony Snicket this new series from legend Lauren Oliver is sure to gain new fans very quickly!
Magnus Chase and the Sword of Summer is a great book that had me hooked until the final letter. Magnus’s upside-down life (but mostly death) will have you laughing out loud. I highly recommend this book for 10-14 year olds. Rick Riordan has produced another terrific book.
David, age 11
Quinn, age 13
The Potion Diaries Amy Alward | PB $16.99 The princess has been poisoned. The country is in uproar. Samantha Kemi has been summoned, along with the country’s best alchemists, to discover the cure. Can she save the princess? Or is she too late? This book has the perfect blend of adventure, magic, and romance. Filled with unexpected plot twists this book will keep you on the edge of your seat.
One
Newt’s Emerald
Katherine, age 13
Sarah Crossan | PB $16.99
Garth Nix | PB $18.99
Tippi and Grace share everything — clothes, friends… even their body. Sarah Crossan tells the sensitive and moving story of conjoined twin sisters. This book is written in free verse, an open style of poetry and the moving and beautifully crafted novel ultimately asks one question: what does it mean to want and have a soul mate?
A valuable family jewel has been stolen and Lady Truthful Newington turns detective to find it. Since such a task is unsuitable for a young lady, she is forced to impersonate a French relative, Henri de Vienne, leading to all sorts of unforeseen complications. There’s comedy, lighthearted romance and action aplenty in this fantasy novel with a Regency flavor.
Velocity Chris Wooding | PB $16.99 Velocity is a thrilling book set in a post-apocalyptic world where the main event is maximum racing. A story of friendship between two racers and their journey in the Widowmaker course with the grand prize of Olympus, the last place left untouched. This book is filled with many twists and turns. Highly recommended.
Rory, age 12
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The Fourteenth Summer of Angus Jack Jen Storer and Lucinda Gifford PB $16.99 Angus and Martha Jack have been sent to live in Australia where their nextdoor neighbour is a peculiar secondhand dealer. At first it’s all perfectly normal but then they find themselves caught up in a web of intrigue between Vikings and goblins. A brilliant new urban fantasy mixed with the adventures of Norse mythology.
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Young Adult Illuminae: The Illuminae Files_01 Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff | PB $19.99 Illuminae is a sci-fi book about Kady and Erza and their planet that has been destroyed by a mega-corporation. The year is 2575 and they have to flee for their lives on a small space fleet. The book is clever and unique, with an original storyline and online text presentation. Something a bit different for teenagers and definitely worth reading.
Zeroes Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan and Deborah Biancotti PB $19.99 A well-crafted and satisfying story of ordinary kids with extraordinary powers, written by popular and established young adult authors. Despite being written by three authors, this is a seamless piece of writing that blends well enough so you don’t know who wrote what. With likeable characters, interesting and original abilities, and a page turner of a story this is a series to keep an eye on.
Remy, age 16
Wolf by Wolf
Cloudwish
Fiona Wood | PB $19.99 16-year-old Vân Uoc keeps a low profile at school and daydreams about two things: life after high school and Billy Gardiner. After a making wish to be found fascinating appears to come true, Vân Uoc is unwillingly thrown into the spotlight. Funny and sweet, Cloudwish is a wonderfully relatable coming of age story.
Night Owls Jenn Bennett | PB $19.99 When Jack and Beatrix meet on the night bus it is the beginning of something special, but their lives are complicated with important ambitions and family secrets. Bennett delicately weaves a compelling tale about flawed kids and grown-ups, about love and family, in this wonderful, moving story for mature readers.
Adrift Paul Griffin | PB $19.99 Following the story of John and Matt – best friends who find themselves in serious danger after a series of stupid decisions, Adrift is a fast paced, morally complex novel filled with heart-stopping tension. A gripping and terrifying story of survival and hope, with one of the best (and most surprising endings) I have encountered in a while.
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Ryan Graudin | PB $19.99 Germany has won WWII. Yael was a young subject of Nazi scientific experimentation, which has left her with an ability that might just get her close enough to kill Hitler. Graudin deftly combines descriptions of history (the horror of the concentration camps) with her imagined post-war future to create an extraordinarily vivid world. Wolf by Wolf is a remarkable thriller - touching, edgy, powerful.
Emmy & Oliver Robin Benway | PB $19.99 Oliver, Emmy’s close friend and neighbour, was seven when his dad kidnapped him. Ten years later, he’s found and returns home to the mother he thought had abandoned him and a stepfather and two sisters he’s never met. Emmy has desperately missed Oliver, but have they changed too much to reconnect? A bittersweet examination of familial relationships and rekindled friendships.
Silence is Goldfish Annabel Pitcher | PB $19.99 Silence is Goldfish was a pleasure to read. Tess is a refreshingly real character, and her story is captivating. I couldn’t put the book down! I think anyone who has read and loved Eleanor and Park will in turn love this book.
Bianca, age 15
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Gifts
The Rest of Us Just Live Here Patrick Ness | HB $24.95 Most stories are about the Indie Kids, the Chosen Ones - the ones who defeat the zombie plague or the vampires. But this one, for the most part, isn’t. Patrick Ness is a genius. His writing is sharp and witty, and his characters are damaged and honest, but maybe still the heroes of their own stories. Both fantastic and real, the world is masterfully constructed. Really, read this!
Demon Road Derek Landy | PB $19.99 Amber’s life is turned upside down when she manifests supernatural powers and is told a terrifying family secret. Having entered a pact with the Shining Demon for her own protection, she must travel the Demon Road, tackling witches, vampires and serial killers on the way. A spinetingling tale filled with horror, non-stop action and plenty of dark humour.
Young Adult - Next In Series The Tribe Book 3, The Foretelling of Georgie Spider
Pig the Pug Boxed Set (Mini Book + Plush) Aaron Blabey | Book + Toy $29.99 We all know the hilariously mischievous Pig the Pug from his greedy adventures. Pig doesn’t know how to share, he is dishonest and very soon he won’t have any friends left. Pig the Plush Pug is every bit as rascally as his paper counterpart, a perfect combo to help story time to come to life.
Goosebumps Retro Tin R L Stine | Box $29.99 With the Goosebumps film due out over summer now is the time to induct a whole new legion of fans of this classic, spooky, horror series. Containing five of the original books, kids are going to love discovering why this series has managed to maintain a readership for over 20 years.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Illustrated Edition J.K. Rowling | HB $59.99 This is a simply stunning way to introduce new readers to the magical world of Hogwarts. Jim Kay has illustrated this to perfection and every image is captivating. This book will make a beautiful gift for established fans and is filled with hidden clues for those well versed in this magical world. Simply stunning.
Ambelin Kwaymullina | PB $19.95 Georgie Spider foretells Ashala Wolf's death, but can The Tribe and their abilities change hers and their future? Underneath the thrilling intensity of the dystopian trilogy The Tribe belie some very serious themes, including dispossession, otherness, abuse of power and persecution. The final instalment of this trilogy is a thrilling end to a brilliant series from an indigenous Australian author.
Lair of Dreams: The Diviners Book 2 Libba Bray | PB $24.99 Libba Bray’s beautiful, atmospheric prose perfectly delivers 1920s New York and Diviner, Evie O’Neill, back to us. A sleeping sickness is sweeping the city. Can Evie’s supernatural abilities help find - and stop - the source?
The Iron Warrior Julie Kagawa | PB $19.99 The next instalment in the Iron Fey series is as action packed as ever. Ethan Chase is stunned to find out that the World of Faery, Nevernever, can be seen by humans! If Ethan can’t persuade his enemies to become his allies, the world of the Fey will be forever changed. A thrilling fantasy series for teens.
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Ruby Red Shoes My Storybook Suitcase Kate Knapp | Gift Set $29.99 This special suitcase is packed with best-selling favourites Ruby Red Shoes and Ruby Red Shoes Goes to Paris. Ruby lives in a colourful caravan with her grandmother. She is very kind and loves to travel and have adventures, and wherever she goes, she always wears her red shoes. This is a great gift for younger readers.
Stuff to do
The School of Art Teal Triggs and Daniel Frost | HB $29.99
WordBurger David Astle | PB $14.99 Dive into the fascinating world of words and language; discover pangrams, anagrams, tongue twisters and more. Wordburger introduces the reader to the eight skills required to solve a cryptic crossword. There is lots of fun to be had along the way and words will never look the same again.
Ultimate Paper Airplanes for Kids: The Best Guide to Paper Airplanes Andrew Dewar | PB $16.99 With 48 tear-out paper plane pages, vibrantly designed, and with step-by-step instructions, you will be creating hammerheads, ring wraiths and decapods in no time! The book explains the principles of flight and how you can alter your paper planes to best advantage. Create a runway, have a competition and enjoy flying all summer long!
Adam Spencer’s Enormous Book of Numbers: Mind-Boggling Maths, Outrageous Puzzles, Super-cool Games and heaps of other fun stuff! Adam Spencer | PB $19.99 How many bones does an elephant have? What does the oldest jigsaw puzzle in the world look like? Find the answers to these questions and hundreds more in the Enormous Book Of Numbers. Jam-packed with facts, puzzles and games, this activity book contains hours of entertainment. Learning has never been this fun!
A fantastically comprehensive overview of the elements and design principles of art. In 40 lessons budding artists and designers will learn the basics, from line and colour to perspective and proportion, and are then encouraged to experiment with their new-found skills. The concepts are humorously and engagingly illustrated and very well explained.
Pierre the Maze Detective: The Search for the Stolen Maze Stone Hiro Kamigaki | HB $29.99 In Where’s Wally look-and-find fashion, children will discover Paris in this beautifully rendered, large-format, colourful maze adventure in which the reader helps Pierre and his friend Carmen solve mysteries and stop Mr. X before it’s too late.
Superhero Comic Kit Jason Ford | PB $27.99 Have you ever wanted to learn how to put together your very own superhero comic? Now you can with this fabulous kit complete with story prompts, drawing tips and over 100 stickers. What will your secret HQ look like and what special equipment will you have to fight off those evil swamp creatures. A great way to fire up the imagination and get kids creating.
Hide and Seek: A Round-the-World Animal Search Various | HB $16.99 Help! Some of the animals are hiding! Can you find them and return them to their proper homes? This is a fun search and find book, full of animals from all around the globe, with beautiful illustrations by Charlene Man. It offers a wonderful first introduction for children to animals around the world and where they live.
The Best Ever Maths Book Dorling Kindersley | Board $24.99 Give this book to kids and they will be sharpening their maths skills without even knowing it! This fun interactive book is chock full of games that draw on maths concepts taught in primary school, from finding fractions to basic geometry. But don’t worry too much about all that – just have fun and while you’re at it, brush up on your own maths skills!
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n o i t a m r o Inf The Wonder Garden: Wander through the world’s wildest habitats and discover more than 80 amazing animals Kristjana S Williams and Jenny Broom | HB $35.00 Dive into the Great Barrier Reef, trek through the Amazon Rainforest, explore the Chihuahuan Desert, climb the Himalayas and explore the Black Forest in this amazingly beautiful book that is all about the animals and their habitats. Each page has dazzling illustrations and an abundance of facts about the world’s most precious ecosystems.
Adventures Around the Globe
How to be an International Spy
The Lonely Planet Kids Travel Book
Lonely Planet Kids PB $16.99
Lonely Planet Kids HB $24.99
Lonely Planet Kids HB $29.99
Kids will have hours of fun traveling the world just by turning the pages of this book. Learn interesting facts about Africa, the world’s oldest continent, colour in Ancient Egyptian mummies and stick the right animals on the Serengeti. A great way to explore the world before setting off to see it for yourself!
If you have ever wanted to be an international person of mystery or the next 007 then this is the book for you. Learn how to make and break codes, find out what’s the latest in gadgetry for the spy at large and protect yourself against cyber attack. Enter at your own peril!
A brand new edition of the bestselling kids’ version of Lonely Planet’s The Travel Book, jam-packed with thousands of amazing facts on wildlife, how people live, sports, hideous and mouth-watering food, festivals and loads of other quirky insights on every page. You’ll be planning your next family holiday after sampling these 200 entries.
The Epic Book of Epicness Adam Frost | PB $14.99 This book is full of very, very funny information but it is all very, very definitely true. Did you know that there is a man who could eat a plane, 7 televisions, 8 chandeliers and more? He said it didn’t even hurt when he went for a poo! I loved it.
Jacob, age 9
For Kids series Give your kids a tech-savvy advantage with this new and exciting three-book series. Kids will love the eye-popping graphics in these step-by-step guides to projects that are sure to inspire further learning. Written especially for 7-11 year-old readers, complicated topics become fun and accessible.
Modding Minecraft Sarah Guthals, Stephen Foster, Lindsey Handley | PB $14.95 Take your Minecraft play to a new level with modding. These projects create a single-player and single-level game and then move to a more advanced ‘capture the flag’ game for a multi-level and multi-player experience.
Making YouTube Videos
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Utterly Amazing Human Body
Ickypedia
Robert Winston | HB $35.00
The Listies | PB $14.99
Science educator extraordinaire Professor Robert Winston has done it again with this engaging and interactive exploration of the human body. Full of tabs, flaps and more facts than you can poke a bone at this eye-catching pop-up book brings biology to life and is guaranteed to keep young, inquisitive minds occupied for hours.
Did you know there is actually a word for being able to burp the entire alphabet – ALPHABURP! If you have ever sat at the dinner table with someone attempting to do just that then this is the book for them. Melbourne comedy duo The Listies have put together this crazy collection of GROSSTASTIC words for lovers of all things gross.
Nick Willoughby | PB $14.95 Ideal for your child whether they are looking for fame or simply want to make videos for friends and family. These projects teach shooting, editing and posting techniques without the need for expensive equipment.
Getting Started With Coding Camille McCue | PB $14.95 Introduce your kids to simple coding concepts through three projects. Create moving graphics, learn ‘Frogger’ style motion and collision commands, and introduce maths and score-keeping skills while learning to code.
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First children Aboriginal children used play as a way to learn important life skills, like gathering food.
Australian Stories
1800–1840s
Australia’s first European children were the sons and daughters of convicts or mariners.
Australian Kids through the Years Tania McCartney and Andrew Joyner | HB $24.99
1900–1909
At this time in Australia, many boys left school at age 12 and went to work.
1950s
Most Aussie kids went to school. They were given free milk to improve their general health and learning.
1960s
Television finally arrived in Australia. One of our first children’s shows was Play School.
1980s
Electronic games became one of our favourite toys of all time. Pacman was one of the first.
What was life like when your parents and grandparents were children? This book takes a comprehensive look at the lifestyles of Australian kids, from the first Australians to today. Discover what they wore, what they ate, their favourite pastimes, books and TV shows. There’s lots of period detail in the illustrations, making it the perfect book to share between generations.
The Letty Stories Alison Lloyd | HB $24.99 It’s 1841 and Letty’s older sister Lavina is bound for Australia on a long sea voyage. When Letty gets stuck on board there’s no turning back! Can she survive the long journey and make a new life for herself as a free settler on the other side of the world? Join Our Australian Girl, Letty, in these four exciting stories now available in one beautiful hardback. The perfect gift for your Australian girl.
No Way Yirrikipayi! Alison Lester & Students from Melville Island | HB $19.99 A beautiful book written and illustrated by students from Melville Island with Alison Lester. Yirrikipayi the crocodile lives on the Tiwi Islands and he’s hungry. He goes hunting, chasing animals in the sea and on land. What’s for dinner? Meet the animals and learn their Tiwi names in this delightful book for all ages.
Meet Sidney Nolan Yvonne Mes | HB $24.99 A great way for younger readers to find out about the trials and tribulations of the artist Sidney Nolan and how he came to shape the Australian art world. The newest addition to this fabulous series of illustrated books introducing the extraordinary people who have shaped Australian history.
2000s
The internet has become a part of Australian kids’ lives. They use it to play games, to do school work and even for virtual travel!
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Ugly Robert Hoge | PB $16.99 When Robert Hoge started school he was different from the other kids. He had prosthetic legs and because he had been born with facial deformities, he was “top-of-the-range” ugly. Hoge recounts his experiences from birth to his early teen years in a breezy and accessible style and his triumphs and setbacks make for entertaining and inspiring reading.
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The Alison Lester Collection Alison Lester
Bolinda Audiobooks
The Cleo Stories Libby Gleeson CD $19.95 MP3CD $19.95
The Tournament at Gorlan: Rangers Apprentice The Early Years #1 John Flanagan CD $29.95 MP3CD $29.95
CD $19.95 MP3CD $14.95
The Jonny Duddle Extravaganza Jonny Duddle CD $19.95 MP3CD $14.95
Katy Jacqueline Wilson CD $24.95 MP3CD $19.95
The books in this guide have been chosen and reviewed by members of the ABA, booksellers who use their expertise to encourage and support reading for all ages. DISCLAIMER: Price and information are correct at the time of print. Some bookstores may not be able to hold stock of every book in this guide. Speak to your bookseller about special orders. Cover and illustrations and various internal illustrations and inspiration have been taken from Australian Kids through the Years (National Library of Australia) and is reproduced with permission.
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