A Rat in a Stripy Sock Illustrated by David Francis

A rain-swept day…
A heart-lifting flash of colour!
A story about the joy to be had in life’s simplest pleasures—especially when they are shared—and finding happiness in the most unexpected places.

Coming in August 2010

Captain Crabclaw’s Crew
Illustrated by David Legge

‘Shivering shellfish,’ Captain Crabclaw said proudly as he admired his brand-new pirate ship, the Speedy Squid. ‘Now all I need is a fearsome crew…’
But Captain Crabclaw didn’t expect to sail in search of treasure with a duck…and an elephant…and a giraffe…and a cow…and a chicken!

It’s hoist the mainsail and anchors aweigh with the most unusual pirate crew the high seas have ever seen! This rollicking tale of swashbuckling and scrambled eggs will delight landlubbers young and old.

• Children’s Book Council of Australia Notable Book 2010

‘This rollicking tale with its infectious repetition and big bold innovative illustrations will delight landlubbers everywhere’—Good Reading

Parsley Rabbit’s Book about Books
Illustrated by David Legge

• Winner of the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year: Eve Pownall Award, 2008
• Books Alive Great Read 2008
• Galley Club Award winner 2008

An exciting introduction to the wonderful world of…books, of course!
Celebrate the joy of reading and begin a lifelong love of books with the remarkably clever and handsome Parsley Rabbit.

‘a stimulating, entertaining, informative gem’—Sunday Tasmanian

‘a funny and fantastic ride through the world of books to bring out the reader in all of us’—Adelaide Advertiser

Kisses for Daddy
Illustrated by David Legge

• Children’s Book Council of Australia Honour Book, 2006
• Books Alive Great Read 2007

It’s time for bed, but Baby Bear is grumbly.
‘ What about a big bear kiss for me?’ says Dad.
‘ No!’ says Baby Bear. ‘No kiss for Daddy.’

‘a delightful, fun-loving bedtime read’—Reading Time

This Dog Bruce
Illustrated by Bridget Strevens-Marzo

Bruce is a boisterous pup who is so bouncy that his friends run away… Is there a game they all can play?

‘With its lively rhyming text, bouncy pace and solid gouache illustrations, this picture book is made to be read aloud’—Magpies

The Song of the Winns Book 1 of the Gerander Trilogy

‘Alistair has been kidnapped!’

Alex, Alice and Alistair think they are just three ordinary mice, until Alistair mysteriously vanishes. Then Alex and Alice learn a secret about their family: a secret which means Alistair’s life is in danger—unless Alex and Alice can find him first…

So begins a hair-raising journey as Alex and Alice try to outrun enemy agents in a desperate race against time.

Meanwhile, Alistair is astonished to find himself in a far-off land where everyone—except his new friend Tibby Rose—is his enemy. But why? Pursued at every turn, the pair must try to unravel the mystery. And when they do, they discover that it is not only their own lives which are in peril…the future of an entire country is at stake.

The first book in an exciting new trilogy, The Song of the Winns is a tale of courage, friendship and adventure.

Coming in September 2010

Extraordinary Ernie & Marvellous Maud
Illustrated by Judy Watson

• Children's Book Council of Australia Notable Book, 2009

Ernie Eggers is thrilled when he wins a superhero contest and becomes Extraordinary Ernie (after school on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and all day Saturday). But his excitement turns to dismay when he discovers that his sidekick is a sheep. It doesn’t take him long to realise, though, that there has never been another sheep quite like Marvellous Maud.

‘Perfect for early readers with a sense of humour and a love of alliteration’—Sunday Age.

The Middle Sheep
Illustrated by Judy Watson

The adventures of Extraordinary Ernie and Marvellous Maud continue…but what—or who—is making the usually cheerful and dependable Maud so grumpy? And why are she and Ernie arguing all the time? It seems to Ernie that being his sidekick just isn’t important to Maud anymore. Then Valiant Vera says that if the two trainee superheroes can’t work together, they will be thrown out of the Superheroes Society! Ernie and Maud must learn the value of teamwork (and how to get a sheep out of a tree) before it’s too late.

‘the bright cover promises what the book delivers. Altogether an attractive package’—Magpies

The Greatest Sheep in History
Illustrated by Judy Watson

Extraordinary Ernie and Marvellous Maud are back!

Ernie and Maud are thrilled to be attending the National Superheroes Conference with the other superheroes from Baxter. But when the conference is disrupted by Chicken George—the most terrifying and villainous chicken anyone has ever seen—it will take more than just an ordinary superhero to save the day.

‘With themes of bravery, understanding and overcoming fears, this is a fresh take on the superhero ideal with plenty of giggles’—Sun-Herald