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March Releases

3/25/2026

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Marvellous March. Look at all these wonderful books from our Author Pen Pals released in March! Our warmest congratulations on sending these new stories into the world.

March Releases 2026

Bianca Richardson and Kristin Martin - Belle and Bea's Beautiful New Home
Published by Wakefield Press
March 2026

Belle and Bea's Beautiful New Home is the third book in the Easter Bilby's Friends series, which explains to children how introduced wild rabbits affect the native plants and animals in the area, and what they can do to help.

Bianca Richardson is a graphic designer and illustrator with a love for wonky hand-drawn lines who lives in the beautiful Limestone Coast region of South Australia.


Kristin Martin is a poet, picture book author and primary school teacher.


https://justdrawmorebianca.com/
https://kristinmartin.net/
https://www.wakefieldpress.com.au/product/belle-and-beas-beautiful-new-home/


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Jayne McIntyre - The Feathers of Farwood and The Gripps Curse
Published by Riveted Press

17th March, 2026

The Feathers of Farwood and The Gripps Curse is the first in a magical middle grade trilogy following the journey of Eva Feather, whose father has been turned into an owl by the dreaded Gripps.

Jayne McIntyre is a children's author and when she isn’t dreaming up characters or plotting her next twist, you will find her jogging, reading, or spending time with her husband and two children.

https://jaynemcintyre.com/
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Susea Spray - Captain's Cave 
Art by St Patrick’s School Asquith
27th March, 2026

When Captain slips away, adventure-bound, a fleeting glimpse of a mysterious tail leads her and Dad into a magical cave world filled with strange and wonderful creatures.

Retired teacher and photographer, Susea’s writing inspiration for her writing from sailing adventures that took her half-way around the world.

https://suseaspray.com
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Liv Lorkin - Gnoming About: Tree Mail Adventure
30th March, 2026

Gnoming About: Tree Mail Adventure is a whimsical black and white graphic novel with heart and nature-loving adventure.

Liv Lorkin is a heart-led children's book author, illustrator and visual storyteller.

www.livlorkin.com
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Melissa-Jane Fogarty - Narm-Jaap: A Flinders Street Station History

Illustrated by Dylan Finney

Published by Lothian Children's Books

31st March, 2026

Narm-Jaap: A Flinders Street Station tells the history of Flinders Street Station and the land on which it is built, while centering its ongoing significance to the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung.

Melissa-Jane Fogarty, a Mununjali woman, is the author of Our Lands, which is an Indigenous history series about Australia's most iconic landmarks and the Country on which they are built. 


https://melissajanefogarty.com/
https://www.hachette.com.au/melissa-jane-fogarty-dylan-finney/narm-jaap-a-flinders-street-station-history
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Seetha Dodd - Myra in the Middle

Illustrated by Peter Cheong
Published by UQP

31st March, 2026

A junior novel about finding your place in your family - and on the soccer field.

Seetha Dodd is a Malaysian-born, Sydney-based author who writes stories that empower children to challenge stereotypes and celebrate uniqueness in all forms.

www.seethadodd.com
www.uqp.com.au/books/myra-in-the-middle

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Susan Joy Lu - What Can I Get For Mother’s Day?
Written by Renae Hayward
Published by Larrikin House
March, 2026

Choosing the perfect Mother’s Day gift can be quite the challenge, the only certainty is that there are no boring gifts allowed because all mothers deserve an AWESOME Mother’s Day!

Originally from Belfast (Northern Ireland),
Susan Joy Lu is an Artist, Author and Illustrator who now lives in Perth (Western Australia) where she spends her days creating nostalgic and colourful illustrations, full of joy.

www.susanjoylu.com

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February New Releases

3/19/2026

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The fabulous new books keep coming from our talented Author Pen Pals! Here are the February 2026 releases (along with one January title that hopped on in!)

January Release

Janeen Brian - Are you the Easter Bunny?
Illustrated by Lucinda Gifford
Published by Harper Collins
28th January, 2026

A little desert bird asks the question and it’s answered by a wonderful, but endangered Australian marsupial, the bilby!

Janeen Brian is a best-selling, internationally published and award-winning children’s author and poet with over 110 books published.

www.janeenbrian.com
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​February Releases

Kate Foster - Freddie Jones: The Mystery of the Troublesome Trees
Published by Walker Books
1st February, 2026

Freddie Jones: The Mystery of the Troublesome Trees is a humorous and intriguing middle grade adventure with plenty of quirk and a whole lot of heart.

Kate Foster is passionate about encouraging and teaching a wider understanding of autism and mental illness via positive approach and representation.

https://www.walkerbooks.com.au/book/9781760659998/
https://www.kfosterbooks.com/ 
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Sally Barton - Something Terrible: Sam Stop Your Frowning
Illustrated by Christopher Nielsen
Published by Walker Books
1st February, 2026

When a frowny Sam Crisp is caught in the Changing Wind, the only way to get back his smile is with the help of meteorologist Dr Weatherbee, and a surprising trip to Easter Island.

Sally is a tutor and children's book writer who loves silly stories, cats, libraries, words, and did she say cats?

https://www.walkerbooks.com.au/
https://www.sallybeewrites.com/
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Sharon Dalgleish - Saving Shark Pup
Illustrated by Amandine Thomas
Published by Allen and Unwin
3rd February, 2026

The true story of a great white shark pup who washed up on the beach and was rescued by the local community.
​
As a librarian and teacher for many years, Sharon Dalgleish read a lot of books — now she also gets to write them.

https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Sharon-Dalgleish,-illustrated-by-Amandine-Thomas-Saving-Shark-Pup-9781761182013
https://www.sharondalgleishbooks.com/ 
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Adelle Frittitta - My Nonna Loves
Illustrated by Cluadia Frittitta
Published by Hardie Grant
24th February, 2026

My Nonna Loves celebrates the quiet, everyday ways a grandmother fills a child’s world with love.

Adelle Frittitta is a Melbourne-based art teacher and children’s author who loves creating warm, heartfelt stories inspired by family, childhood memories, and everyday moments.

https://adellefrittitta.com
instagram.com/adellefrittitta

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Bethany Loveridge - Genie Snail
Illustrated by Chris Kennett

Published by Little Book Press

24th February, 2026


Genie Snail is a funny tale full of clever rhymes, silly surprises and one tiny plot twist ...


Bethany Loveridge is a Queensland-based author and illustrator who creates for children of all ages and loves, 'art, books and coffee' (quote supplied by daughter).


www.bethanyloveridge.com
https://littlebookpress.com.au/products/genie-snail
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​Alysia Kelly - Celebration Festival 

Illustrated by Ruth Mary Smith
Published by Larrikin House 
February, 2026

​Join Evie, and her cheeky pup, Biscuit as they attempt to choose the winner of the grand celebration festival!

Alysia Kelly is a children’s author and Junior Primary teacher who loves writings stories filled with humour, heart and hope.

Alysiakelly.com
Larrikinhouse.com.au
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New Releases - January 2026

3/15/2026

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We’ve already had a bumper crop of new releases from our amazing Author Pen Pals so far this year. Please join us in congratulating them on their beautiful new books and stay tuned for more to come!

January Releases

Josie Montano - Casa Mia
Illustrated by Kristen Willis
Published by IP Kidz
1st January, 2026

Casa Mia is a heartwarming children's picture book about family, memory, and the power of home.

Josie’s an international award-winning author & screenwriter with 27 years and 70 resources within the industry, and is a storyteller who strives to advocate and who celebrates diversity.
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www.booksbyjosie.com.au
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​Lawrey Goodrick - Half-Life: The AA Battery Adventure

Published by Hawkeye Books
24th January, 2026


Half-Life: The AA Battery Adventure is a STEM-infused coming-of-age adventure that follows two AA batteries seeking freedom from powering electronic devices and escape from the oppression of the Electrician overlords (humans).

Lawrey Goodrick writes whimsical, witty and outrageous stories that reflect his hyperactive and animated imagination, stories constructed from complex subject matter, simplified into thought-provoking perspectives for middle grade readers.

https://hawkeyebooks.com.au/collections/new-release/products/half-life
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Dr Helen Edwards - A Light on the Rocks
Published by Riveted Press
28th January, 2026

Set across two timelines, connected by place, mystery, and magic, A Light on the Rocks is a haunting tale about survival, self-belief and the wild beauty of the sea.

Dr Helen Edwards is an award-winning author and speaker who writes stories of nature, history and magic.

www.helenedwardswrites.com
www.rivetedpress.com.au


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Gemma Creegan - The Little Mushroom Village
Published by BookSpring
January 2026


My debut picture book is written and illustrated by me and explores a whimsical mushroom village through the changing seasons.


I'm a British-Australian children's writer and illustrator who is inspired by nature, books and travel.

Bilingual Children's Book About Mushrooms and Mice Overview - BookSpring

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