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Grace the Amazing (Aleesah Darlison, Wombat Books)

Released May 2024

This tender middle-grade novel by well-established children’s author Aleesah Darlison (who wrote the popular junior series League of Llamas) explores friendship, coming to terms with death, and finding the courage... Read more

A Small Collection of Happinesses (Zana Fraillon, illus Stephen Michael King, Lothian)

Released May 2024

In the first pages of acclaimed author Zana Fraillon’s A Small Collection of Happinesses, Ada is ‘blown in…and dumped… right at the front gates of number 9 Hawkhurst Lane’. I... Read more

Book of Hours (Clare McFadden, Walker)

Released May 2024

Book of Hours, written and illustrated by Clare McFadden (The Flying Orchestra), tells a life story in a series of dreamy vignettes. These postcard moments capture memories by the sea—of... Read more

Boots (Elizabeth Pulsford, illus Krista Brennan, Wombat Books)

Released May 2024

The idea of walking in someone else’s shoes to evoke understanding and empathy is not a new concept, but Elizabeth Pulsford takes it further in her debut picture book, Boots,... Read more

Cheer Up, Blobfish! (Julie Murphy, illus Rachel Tribout, Affirm)

Released May 2024

It’s time for The Festival of the Fish and everyone is excited, but the blobfish looks sad, and none of the sea creatures can cheer him up. This fun, rhyming... Read more

Ultra Violet: Down to Business (Cristy Burne, illus Rebel Challenger, Larrikin House)

Released May 2024

Ultra Violet: Down to Business is the first in a new junior graphic novel series with a hilarious—but very scientific—premise. Violet (a science genius who wears a lab coat) and... Read more

The Kindness Project (Deborah Abela, Puffin)

Released May 2024

Nicolette is unconfident and shy and feels like she doesn’t fit in anywhere. However, she loves spending time with her nanna and takes comfort in her visits to her nursing... Read more

The Unexpected Mess of It All (Gabrielle Tozer, HarperCollins)

Released May 2024

Gold Inky award-winning author Gabrielle Tozer’s fifth YA novel, The Unexpected Mess of it All, displays her trademark empathy, humour and cheekiness. Jamila’s life is an unexpected mess. Since their... Read more

Cora Seen and Heard (Zanni Louise, Walker)

Released May 2024

When Cora’s family moves to Tasmania to renovate a decrepit theatre, Cora, 12, is thrilled at the opportunity to reinvent herself as Cora 2.0: more confident, admired, and interesting. But... Read more

What Stars Are For (Margeaux Davis, Affirm)

Released May 2024

What Stars Are For is the first picture book by sewing pattern and soft toy designer Margeaux Davis. The emerging children’s book illustrator’s love for the natural world is informed... Read more

The Land Recalls You (Kirli Saunders, illus David Cragg & Noni Cragg, Scholastic)

Released May 2024

The title of multi-awarded Gunai poet Kirli Saunders’s picture book The Land Recalls You honours the Stolen Generations and their descendants, as well as others who have been taken from Country, in a story... Read more

Our Flag, Our Story (Bernard Namok Jnr & Thomas Mayo, illus Tori-Jay Mordey, Magabala)

Released May 2024

Reading Our Flag, Our Story: The Torres Strait Islander Flag by Bernard Namok Jnr and Thomas Mayo on so-called Australia Day feels incredibly poignant. In October 2023, Australians voted against establishing the... Read more

Country (Aunty Fay Muir & Sue Lawson, illus Cheryl Davison, Wild Dog)

Released May 2024

Country is a celebration of earth and sky, sun, moon and stars—central to First Nations Culture. Through intricate, warm and entrancing artwork by renowned artist and Walbunja, Ngarigo woman Cheryl... Read more

The Apprentice Witnesser (Bren MacDibble, A&U Children’s)

Released May 2024

Bren MacDibble has become well-known for her unique and heartfelt adventure novels for middle-grade readers, including How to Bee, The Dog Runner and Across the Risen Sea, as well as The Raven’s... Read more

How to Measure the Ocean (Inda Ahmad Zahri, A&U Children’s)

Released May 2024

How to Measure the Ocean by scuba diver and surgical doctor Inda Ahmad Zahri prompts and encourages children aged 4–8 to interact with their environment scientifically and mathematically. In the... Read more

Tree (Claire Saxby, illus Jess Racklyeft, A&U Children’s)

Released April 2024

Tree, by multi-award-winning picture book creators Claire Saxby and Jess Racklyeft, explores the life of a mighty mountain ash, the tallest in a forest of tall trees. Similar to their... Read more

Wurrtoo (Tylissa Elisara, illus Dylan Finney, Lothian)

Released April 2024

As a Nunga woman reading to her young Nunga and Murri son, Tylissa Elisara was fed up with the lack of First Nations representation in her beloved childhood stories. Wurrtoo... Read more

Those Girls (Pamela Rushby, Walker)

Released April 2024

When Australia entered World War II, new possibilities emerged for women to enter the services, work in munitions or uniform factories, or join the Land Army to fill the workforce... Read more

Deep Is the Fen (Lili Wilkinson, A&U Children’s)

Released April 2024

Lili Wilkinson’s latest fantasy novel is set in the same magical world as her Victorian Premier's Literary Award–winning novel, A Hunger of Thorns. It’s a realm where all magic is... Read more

Jerry’s Window (Y K Willemse, Wombat Books)

Released April 2024

In the spirit of Dennis the Menace, 10-year-old Jerry Ronden is a notorious nightmare. His parents are at a loss as he torments his school and neighbours with pranks, stink... Read more