JUVENILE NONFICTION / People & Places / Australia & Oceania
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Gecko
Series: Read and Wonder
Price: $8.99
Pub Date: December 12, 2023
Format: Paperback
“Brian Lovelock’s ink, colored-pencil, and watercolor pictures work in beautiful tandem with Raymond Huber’s text to describe the capacities of an extraordinary creature.” —Wall Street Journal
Meet the gecko, the escape artist of the lizard world. Hawks, rats, and snakes would love to catch one for their dinner, but as the gecko’s amazing ability to protect itself and outsmart predators keeps it safe from day to day, it is more than a match for its pursuers! With clever camouflage, a tail that can drop as a decoy, feet covered in tiny hairs for gripping (and hanging out upside down), and eyes that it cleans with its tongue, the gecko is truly a fascinating little creature well worth learning about. This wonderful introduction to one of the coolest lizards on the planet will captivate amateur scientists.
A Is for Australian Reefs
Price: $18.99
Pub Date: June 13, 2023
Format: Hardcover
With vibrant hues and a treasure trove of fascinating facts, the creator of A Is for Australian Animals celebrates biodiversity among the sea creatures living in reefs along the shore.
Along the Australian coastline, underwater reefs are bustling with the most amazing sea creatures living on the planet. What can blow bubble rings and swim through them? What has teeth on its eyeballs? What creature makes itself nearly invisible to predators by using camouflage? What poops out sand? More than 25 percent of all sea creatures live in coral reefs, also called “rain forests of the sea.” This book introduces readers to everything from playful dolphins to deadly Irukandji jellyfish, leafy sea dragons to brainy octopuses, and walking sharks to whimsical-looking zebra seahorses. With gorgeous patterns and colors and substantial entries exploring each creature’s anatomy, diet, threats to survival, and more, Frané Lessac brings us a truly fascinating undersea exploration of the awe-inspiring Australian reefs.
Birrarung Wilam: A Story from Aboriginal Australia
Price: $7.99
Pub Date: September 20, 2022
Format: Paperback
“A lovely, immersive introduction to a language, and a closely observed view of the Australian natural world.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
As ngua rises . . . Bunjil soars over mountain ash, flying higher and higher as the wind warms. Below, Birrarung begins its long winding path down to palem warreen.
Yarra Riverkeeper Andrew Kelly and Aboriginal Elder of the Wurundjeri people Aunty Joy Murphy join to tell the Indigenous and geographical story of Melbourne’s beautiful Yarra River—from its source to its mouth and from its prehistory to the present day. The writing dazzles with poetic descriptions of the trees, plants, and wildlife that thrive in harmony along the waterway. Lush and vibrant acrylic paintings from Indigenous illustrator Lisa Kennedy bring the mighty Yarra to life with jewel-like details that offer opportunities for discovery on every page. As gorgeous and powerful as the river itself, this stunning book invites all to come to Wilam: home. End matter includes an authors' note and a glossary of the Woiwurrung words used in the story.
Wombat
Price: $17.99
Pub Date: September 7, 2021
Format: Hardcover
Learn all about the Australian “bulldozer of the bush” in a fascinating introduction to the wombat.
Wombats may look soft and cuddly, but they are determined and tough, with sharp teeth that never stop growing, limbs that they use to shovel dirt like bulldozers, and bony bottoms they use to defend their burrows. They can live for years without drinking water, getting all of their moisture from the plants they eat—and they deposit their cube-shaped poop on rocks or stumps as a warning to other wombats. Follow one of these powerful marsupials through a suspenseful day in Christopher Cheng’s engaging narration, paired with endearing illustrations by Liz Duthie and interspersed with intriguing facts. An endnote provides additional information about wombats for readers curious to learn more.
Kookaburra
Price: $17.99
Pub Date: August 17, 2021
Format: Hardcover
The team behind Dingo returns with a lyrically told, beautifully illustrated exploration of another unique Australian animal: the laughing kookaburra.
In the crinkled shadows,
night dwellers yawn,
day creatures stretch,
and Kookaburra laughs.
Kook-kook-kook. Kak-kak-kak. What is that sunrise chorus that sounds like laughter? It is a kookaburra and her family, calling over the river. Follow these iconic Australian birds as they search for food and team up to defend their territory in preparation for the nesting season. With rich paintings and poetic text, threaded through with intriguing facts, Kookaburra offers insight into the lives of these fascinating birds. Curious readers will find more information about kookaburras at the end, as well as an index leading them back through the book to explore these distinctive creatures more closely.
Australian Baby Animals
Price: $16.99
Pub Date: August 17, 2021
Format: Hardcover
Playful verses, captivating facts, and vibrant colors will have little animal lovers poring over these pages about the young of several species.
Do you know which Australian baby animal is called a puggle? (Hint: it’s not a designer dog!) Which babies are called joeys? (You’ll be surprised at how many.) Which baby animals from Australia are looked after by their dad? What animal is carried around—gingerly—in its mother’s toothy mouth? Frisky little dingoes may be called pups, but so are a type of bat called flying foxes. There are so many unusual things to learn about Australian baby animals in this simple and satisfying book from award-winning creator Frané Lessac.
Under the Southern Cross
Price: $16.99
Pub Date: December 24, 2019
Format: Hardcover
This celebratory picture book from Frané Lessac shines a light on beloved nighttime activities under the starry skies of Australia.
After nightfall in Australia, families watch movies as bats flit overhead, mysterious orbs of light bounce across the outback, a staircase to the moon appears reflected at the ocean’s edge, and a Ferris wheel offers a citywide view — all under the Southern Cross. Bright and colorful artwork, fascinating natural phenomena, and shared experiences connect people across the country in Frané Lessac’s fascinating tour of Australia at night.
Koala
Series: Read and Wonder
Price: $8.99
Pub Date: September 10, 2019
Format: Paperback
“The watercolor illustrations are dramatic, colorful, and attractive. . . . Youngsters will enjoy learning about the marsupial . . . all within a moving tale filled with adventure.” — School Library Journal
When a young male koala outgrows his mother’s pouch, it’s time to find a new home for himself, braving perils and adventures along the way. Rival koalas, fierce storms, and frightening snakes force Koala to keep moving until he finds a safe place to call his own. In this dramatic nonfiction account, two renowned Australian picture book creators bring us a surprising and authentic look at the ever-popular koala.
Dingo
Price: $16.99
Pub Date: December 26, 2018
Format: Hardcover
Poetic language and glorious illustrations follow a dingo from the comfort of her pack into the darkening landscape in search of food for her family.
Can you see her? There — deep in the stretching shadows — a dingo. Her pointed ears twitch. Her tawny eyes flash in the low-slung sun.
Dingo leaves her sleeping pups with her mate and lifts her head to smell the air. Dusk is a busy time — the time for hunting. Softly and fleetly she runs through the forest, past a possum, a wombat, and kangaroos in the gully below. Now she climbs to the highest point and sniffs again, locating the scent of rabbits in the wind. Interspersed with text offering facts for curious readers, Dingo is a lyrical foray into the life of these fascinating wild dogs.
Welcome to Country
A Traditional Aboriginal Ceremony
Price: $16.99
Pub Date: January 2, 2018
Format: Hardcover
An Aboriginal ceremony of Welcome to Country is depicted for the first time in a stunning picture book from two Indigenous Australians.
Welcome to the lands of the Wurundjeri people. The people are part of the land, and the land is a part of them. Aboriginal communities across Australia have boundaries that are defined by mountain ranges and waterways. Traditionally, to cross these boundaries, permission is required. Each community has its own way of greeting, but the practice shares a common name: a Welcome to Country. Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin, the senior Aboriginal elder of the Wurundjeri people, channels her passion for storytelling into a remarkable and utterly unique picture book that invites readers to discover some of the history and traditions of her people. Indigenous artist Lisa Kennedy gives the Wurundjeri Welcome to Country form in beautiful paintings rich with blues and browns, as full of wonder and history as the tradition they depict.

Gecko
Series: Read and Wonder
Price: $8.99
Pub Date: December 12, 2023
Format: Paperback
“Brian Lovelock’s ink, colored-pencil, and watercolor pictures work in beautiful tandem with Raymond Huber’s text to describe the capacities of an extraordinary creature.” —Wall Street Journal
Meet the gecko, the escape artist of the lizard world. Hawks, rats, and snakes would love to catch one for their dinner, but as the gecko’s amazing ability to protect itself and outsmart predators keeps it safe from day to day, it is more than a match for its pursuers! With clever camouflage, a tail that can drop as a decoy, feet covered in tiny hairs for gripping (and hanging out upside down), and eyes that it cleans with its tongue, the gecko is truly a fascinating little creature well worth learning about. This wonderful introduction to one of the coolest lizards on the planet will captivate amateur scientists.
A Is for Australian Reefs
Price: $18.99
Pub Date: June 13, 2023
Format: Hardcover
With vibrant hues and a treasure trove of fascinating facts, the creator of A Is for Australian Animals celebrates biodiversity among the sea creatures living in reefs along the shore.
Along the Australian coastline, underwater reefs are bustling with the most amazing sea creatures living on the planet. What can blow bubble rings and swim through them? What has teeth on its eyeballs? What creature makes itself nearly invisible to predators by using camouflage? What poops out sand? More than 25 percent of all sea creatures live in coral reefs, also called “rain forests of the sea.” This book introduces readers to everything from playful dolphins to deadly Irukandji jellyfish, leafy sea dragons to brainy octopuses, and walking sharks to whimsical-looking zebra seahorses. With gorgeous patterns and colors and substantial entries exploring each creature’s anatomy, diet, threats to survival, and more, Frané Lessac brings us a truly fascinating undersea exploration of the awe-inspiring Australian reefs.
Birrarung Wilam: A Story from Aboriginal Australia
Price: $7.99
Pub Date: September 20, 2022
Format: Paperback
“A lovely, immersive introduction to a language, and a closely observed view of the Australian natural world.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
As ngua rises . . . Bunjil soars over mountain ash, flying higher and higher as the wind warms. Below, Birrarung begins its long winding path down to palem warreen.
Yarra Riverkeeper Andrew Kelly and Aboriginal Elder of the Wurundjeri people Aunty Joy Murphy join to tell the Indigenous and geographical story of Melbourne’s beautiful Yarra River—from its source to its mouth and from its prehistory to the present day. The writing dazzles with poetic descriptions of the trees, plants, and wildlife that thrive in harmony along the waterway. Lush and vibrant acrylic paintings from Indigenous illustrator Lisa Kennedy bring the mighty Yarra to life with jewel-like details that offer opportunities for discovery on every page. As gorgeous and powerful as the river itself, this stunning book invites all to come to Wilam: home. End matter includes an authors' note and a glossary of the Woiwurrung words used in the story.
Wombat
Price: $17.99
Pub Date: September 7, 2021
Format: Hardcover
Learn all about the Australian “bulldozer of the bush” in a fascinating introduction to the wombat.
Wombats may look soft and cuddly, but they are determined and tough, with sharp teeth that never stop growing, limbs that they use to shovel dirt like bulldozers, and bony bottoms they use to defend their burrows. They can live for years without drinking water, getting all of their moisture from the plants they eat—and they deposit their cube-shaped poop on rocks or stumps as a warning to other wombats. Follow one of these powerful marsupials through a suspenseful day in Christopher Cheng’s engaging narration, paired with endearing illustrations by Liz Duthie and interspersed with intriguing facts. An endnote provides additional information about wombats for readers curious to learn more.
Kookaburra
Price: $17.99
Pub Date: August 17, 2021
Format: Hardcover
The team behind Dingo returns with a lyrically told, beautifully illustrated exploration of another unique Australian animal: the laughing kookaburra.
In the crinkled shadows,
night dwellers yawn,
day creatures stretch,
and Kookaburra laughs.
Kook-kook-kook. Kak-kak-kak. What is that sunrise chorus that sounds like laughter? It is a kookaburra and her family, calling over the river. Follow these iconic Australian birds as they search for food and team up to defend their territory in preparation for the nesting season. With rich paintings and poetic text, threaded through with intriguing facts, Kookaburra offers insight into the lives of these fascinating birds. Curious readers will find more information about kookaburras at the end, as well as an index leading them back through the book to explore these distinctive creatures more closely.
Australian Baby Animals
Price: $16.99
Pub Date: August 17, 2021
Format: Hardcover
Playful verses, captivating facts, and vibrant colors will have little animal lovers poring over these pages about the young of several species.
Do you know which Australian baby animal is called a puggle? (Hint: it’s not a designer dog!) Which babies are called joeys? (You’ll be surprised at how many.) Which baby animals from Australia are looked after by their dad? What animal is carried around—gingerly—in its mother’s toothy mouth? Frisky little dingoes may be called pups, but so are a type of bat called flying foxes. There are so many unusual things to learn about Australian baby animals in this simple and satisfying book from award-winning creator Frané Lessac.
Under the Southern Cross
Price: $16.99
Pub Date: December 24, 2019
Format: Hardcover
This celebratory picture book from Frané Lessac shines a light on beloved nighttime activities under the starry skies of Australia.
After nightfall in Australia, families watch movies as bats flit overhead, mysterious orbs of light bounce across the outback, a staircase to the moon appears reflected at the ocean’s edge, and a Ferris wheel offers a citywide view — all under the Southern Cross. Bright and colorful artwork, fascinating natural phenomena, and shared experiences connect people across the country in Frané Lessac’s fascinating tour of Australia at night.
Koala
Series: Read and Wonder
Price: $8.99
Pub Date: September 10, 2019
Format: Paperback
“The watercolor illustrations are dramatic, colorful, and attractive. . . . Youngsters will enjoy learning about the marsupial . . . all within a moving tale filled with adventure.” — School Library Journal
When a young male koala outgrows his mother’s pouch, it’s time to find a new home for himself, braving perils and adventures along the way. Rival koalas, fierce storms, and frightening snakes force Koala to keep moving until he finds a safe place to call his own. In this dramatic nonfiction account, two renowned Australian picture book creators bring us a surprising and authentic look at the ever-popular koala.
Dingo
Price: $16.99
Pub Date: December 26, 2018
Format: Hardcover
Poetic language and glorious illustrations follow a dingo from the comfort of her pack into the darkening landscape in search of food for her family.
Can you see her? There — deep in the stretching shadows — a dingo. Her pointed ears twitch. Her tawny eyes flash in the low-slung sun.
Dingo leaves her sleeping pups with her mate and lifts her head to smell the air. Dusk is a busy time — the time for hunting. Softly and fleetly she runs through the forest, past a possum, a wombat, and kangaroos in the gully below. Now she climbs to the highest point and sniffs again, locating the scent of rabbits in the wind. Interspersed with text offering facts for curious readers, Dingo is a lyrical foray into the life of these fascinating wild dogs.
Welcome to Country
A Traditional Aboriginal Ceremony
Price: $16.99
Pub Date: January 2, 2018
Format: Hardcover
An Aboriginal ceremony of Welcome to Country is depicted for the first time in a stunning picture book from two Indigenous Australians.
Welcome to the lands of the Wurundjeri people. The people are part of the land, and the land is a part of them. Aboriginal communities across Australia have boundaries that are defined by mountain ranges and waterways. Traditionally, to cross these boundaries, permission is required. Each community has its own way of greeting, but the practice shares a common name: a Welcome to Country. Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin, the senior Aboriginal elder of the Wurundjeri people, channels her passion for storytelling into a remarkable and utterly unique picture book that invites readers to discover some of the history and traditions of her people. Indigenous artist Lisa Kennedy gives the Wurundjeri Welcome to Country form in beautiful paintings rich with blues and browns, as full of wonder and history as the tradition they depict.