The Big Wall Feeling

Mum, Dad and primary school aged, Jacob, live happily and simply with their cat, Marley, somewhere in Australia. When new neighbours move in next door, although they have the identical family set up (but no cat), their perceived differences passively prevent there being any contact between the families. Only Marley doesn’t notice this big wall feeling and moves happily between the families until the night of the big storm…

Told through the adventures of two primary school aged boys and a cat called Marley, this beautifully illustrated picture book tackles Australia’s very real issues with intercultural acceptance. Ali, Jacob and Marley’s story shows how simple it is to embrace cultural diversity and value individual difference.

The Brumby of Summerhill Park

Alexia and her brother, Brad, travel to the Snowy Mountains, where they rescue a starving brumby whom they name Prince of the Brumbies. When Alexia wants to enter in the annual Stockman's Bush Race over the old gold fields, her hopes are dashed when her chosen ride, the retired race horse Stormy, proves too big and naughty for her. Alexia and her best friend Enya work hard to try and prepare the bush brumby Prince in time for the contest.

The Bump

It’s been a long, cold winter and the woodland animals are fed up and hungry. When a pile of grain is accidentally spilled in the lane by a passing trailer, it gives Badger an idea. What would happen if the animals built a bump across the road? Everyone works very hard, except Fox, who pretends to be busy and gives lots of instructions. Now they are waiting to see what will come down the lane, and they don’t have to wait very long. “Quick! Hide!” screeches Crow from the tree-tops. “Something’s coming!”

This is an exciting and very funny story for young children. They will love waiting to see what drops into the lane, and how the animals use these items. The ending shows the importance of recycling.

The Caterpillar and the Butterfly

From Michael Rosenblum, the bestselling author of Happily Ever Always: A Guide to Personal Transformation, Security, Confidence, and Healthy Self, comes a debut book for beginning readers. This ageless story introduces us to a caterpillar named “Fear”. Fear is afraid of everything – the other critters who share the garden, lightning storms, being bullied and making new friends. A chance encounter with a wise butterfly named “Faith” helps Fear find the courage within to experience the world in a bolder and more joy-filled way. Rosenblum’s message for children is simple yet profound: fear is just faith turned inside out.

“Children will realize that changing fear to faith is up to them as they explore this magical story. Bravo, Michael Rosenblum!”

Dr. Kathleen Hagstrom

Principal

Walt Disney Magnet School

Chicago Public Schools

The Chameleon Which Lost Its Colour

On the island of Madagascar, Blaze the chameleon is the most colourful of all the animals. But Blaze has one flaw: he’s quite mischievous, which makes it hard for him to make friends. One day his colours have vanished and it’s up to him to get the other animals on the island to help him find them! Will he succeed?

The Continuing Adventures of Warty Willy and Pimples Pete

After accidentally interrupting a leadership ceremony being conducted by the magical but evil Treplicons, Willy is cursed to grow warts over all parts of his body. This brings on a source of embarrassment that leads him to despair.

He soon discovers that he must travel to the Treplicon realm to reverse the curse. Once they arrive in the beautiful magical world, Willy and his best friend Pete discover that the reversal of the curse is only half their task. They must overcome the powerful and soulless Swamp Spirit to save the land they have come to love.

This is a story for all ages that includes trials and tribulations, friendship, and love. It involves intriguing characters such as stone trolls, sabre eels, wood rats, rose warriors and many more.

The Cruces Crises

The Cruces have a crisis, an environmental crisis. Everyone wants the latest stuff, but it comes at a cost – pollution! The King sends his son out to find a new land where he can rebuild his kingdom. The Prince knows he must do the right thing, but when two cultures collide, he is left facing a crisis of conscience.

Through his journey of discovery, a young man learns how to care for the environment and respect the lives of other people, even when their appearance is very different from his own.

The Curse of The Deadly Marshmallows

Neil Owlsley’s dream is to one day become the world’s greatest ever reporter, oh and he has a sweet tooth and absolutely loves marshmallows.

But on an eventful day when he takes a trip to his favourite shop, not only has the shopkeeper disappeared but a curse is placed on his beloved marshmallows by someone identified only as ‘The Mysterious Old Woman’.

Quickly he puts his reporter skills into action with only one thing on his mind … save Sproglington Town because simply there is no one else.

Will 12-year-old Neil succeed where many have failed, or will the town be overwhelmed by the Curse … of the Deadly Marshmallows?

The Day That I Grownup (All Except For My Outters)

For the longest time I was five-and-a-half. I remember I was five-and-a-half for such a long time I thought I would never be older. But the day came.
Yesterday, I was ‘almost six’.

The story is about a little boy, Zachery, who is six.  He discovers that growing up is more about overcoming fears (his ‘inners’) than physical changes (his ‘outters’).

The Dog Who Arrived In A Box

A true, short story about the life of a very special dog.

Through his remarkable nature, amusing antics, total love and loyalty he brought fun, joy and happiness into the lives of those who knew him.

His absence during the Covid-19 Pandemic and period of lockdowns was keenly felt.

Kai’s story will resonate with all those who have lost and missed a much-loved pet during this time.

The Fish with a Wish

William is sad to see his friends in trouble, caused by the amount of plastic being thrown into our seas and oceans. With the help of Angel Fish, he is given the strength and courage to be able to swim through the ocean to save some of his friends. It doesn't take long before they come across Tommy, Walter and Salty who are all in need of William's help. With a 'splish and a splosh and a splosh and a splish', William becomes the 'fish with a wish'. With all of his might, he manages to save them all so that they are free from the plastic that is making them feel so sad. William would like us all to think about how we can stop plastic being thrown into the sea. Let us all help William and encourage our parents, friends and family to think about how much plastic we buy and how we can recycle it.

The Forest - Part 2 A Friend in Need

As Thomas and Pricilla practice their dance routine for the upcoming Village Talent Competition in the forest while the four large singing oak trees sing for them, they bump into Becky and Cap running around the forest playing soldiers. As the two parties get to know one another and become great friends Thomas is confronted with a big problem with only two weeks left to go till the talent competition.

You see, Pricilla is Thomas’ imaginary friend and Cap, like Pricilla, is Becky’s imaginary friend too.

Only children with imaginary friends can see other children’s imaginary friends and of course the oak trees and animal too.

How will Thomas be able to compete in the competition with Pricilla when no one will be able to see her?

What will he do, and will Becky and Cap be able to help?