Almost too good to be a children's book. Remarkable facts about animals throughout Australia

From small birds like wrens and robins to large ones like the Emu and Australian pelican, this book covers a wide variety of Australian birds for the junior reader. It also includes:

- full colour pictures showing the animals in their native habitats

- a full-colour map showing the different habitats

- text full of interesting facts about their lifestyle and behaviour

- activities to test your knowledge

- a glossary to explain new words

- an index of both scientific and common names

- a list of web sites where you can find out more

48 pages. Large 325mm X 245mm. (2008) Laminated Hard Cover.

David Metzenthen

The wind, blasting up over the horizon from the south, carried with it the coldness of polar ice, and wielded it like a sword. Already the waves at the Heads would be heavy and huge, the gale was rising so fiercely that there'd be wives down at the wharf waiting and praying for the boats to come back in...

"Everyone looks on me like a black snake."
Letter to Sergeant Babington, July 1870

Ned Kelly was a thief, a bank robber and a murderer. He was in trouble with the law from the age of 12. He stole hundreds of horses and cattle. He robbed two banks. He killed three men. Yet, when Ned was sentenced to death, thousands of people rallied to save his life. He stood up to the authorities and fought for what he believed in. He defended the rights of people who had no power. Was he a villain? Or a hero? What do you think?

Children's classic by Dorothy Wall. Blinky Bill is the mischievous little koala and one of the best known characters in Australian children's fiction.

Tony Palmer

On the Kokoda track, in the damp, disease filled jungle, Murray Barrett and the rest of the 39th battalion are the only thing standing between Australia and a Japanese invasion. Everyone thinks they will be slaughtered and Murray finds that he will have to fight alongside his worst enemy.

By Kim Dale. Lift-the-Flap style book lets children discover each of the cute baby animals the Australian bush brings to life.

Poem by AB Patterson. Illustrations by Quentin Hole.