Congratulations to all our Author Pen Pals on your November releases!

Julie Murphy – Dog Beach
Illustrated by Annie White
Published by NLA Publishing
Publication date 1 November 2024
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Look who’s at the dog beach!
Strong dogs, long dogs,
Playing dogs, staying dogs,
Black dogs, brown dogs, go-to-town dogs…
Going to the beach is a big part of Australian culture and, for many people, so are dogs! This book doubles the fun, celebrating all of the different types of dogs that we Aussies love.
 
With joyful illustrations by Annie White, a short, rhythmic story, and educational backmatter about guide dogs, farm dogs,  story dogs and more. 

www.juliemurphybooks.com

Cover designer: Fiona Suherman; Publisher: GenZ Publishing, USA.

​While mourning the loss of her boyfriend in tragic circumstances, sixteen-year-old Rebecca and her late boyfriend's brother Calum discover a buried suitcase in an icehouse in Scotland, and grow closer as they attempt to solve the mystery behind it.

https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DHZ7K9M3

​Illustrator: Hannah Sommerville
Publisher: Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing  

Little people love to explore little worlds! Explore the hidden spaces and sounds across the sand dunes with this beautiful board book for our smallest nature-lovers, from the CBCA award-winning creators of In the Rockpool and Jetty Jumping, Andrea Rowe and Hannah Sommerville.

https://www.hardiegrantgift.com.au/books/amid-the-sand-dunes-9781761213786

Congratulations to all our Author Pen Pals who have had October releases.

It’s the 1970s and on Kangaroo Island, Mona McKenna and her brother Albert live with their grandparents at Cape Willoughby Lighthouse. For five long years they have mourned their mother and longed for their missing father to return. Since being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes a year earlier, Mona has been increasingly acting in ways that make her hate herself. While she loves the rugged beauty of their isolated sanctuary—and dearly loves her grandparents—she yearns for her parents and finds her diabetes frightening and confusing. Mona finds solace in the treasures she collects along the island's shores. But when she encounters a mysterious sea lion pup, Neo, the world as she knows it is forever changed. The two siblings embark on a journey that leads them to uncover secrets hidden within their family's past. As they bond with Neo, Mona and Albert's quest for truth takes them deeper into the heart of Kangaroo Island. With the fate of their beloved lighthouse hanging in the balance, they must summon courage and resilience to protect their home and the endangered sea lions who call it their own. Rich with folklore and brimming with adventure, Legend of the Lighthouse Moon is a dazzling tale of family, resilience, and the enduring magic of the sea. Join Mona on a journey of self-discovery where the whispers of the past guide her towards a future filled with hope, love, and legends brought to life.

Published by Riveted Press
​https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/books/Legend-of-the-Lighthouse-Moon/Helen-Edwards/9781763526013

Cheer on little Francie as she goes through the excitement and apprehension of her first time on the diving board in this celebration of summer days at the pool, cousins and one little fledgling who wants to be a gannet.

https://www.kirstenealand.com/#/like-a-gannet/
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illustrated by Kathy Creamer

Stanley is a septopus – a seven-tentacled octopus. Life can be difficult when the octopus world is built for the eight-tentacled. Games don’t work the way you expect, clothes don’t fit and even things like preparing a meal are a challenge.
 
What’s worse, Stanley’s parents worry about him so much that they’re scared to let him do anything fun. His sister and brothers tease and bully him. All Stanley wants is a chance to live a normal life in the ocean … and to find some friends. Is that too much for a septopus to hope for?
 
Suitable for children aged 8 -12 years

https://www.rebeccafung.com/