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The year is 1936 and the new King Edward VIII wishes to marry divorcee and suspected German agent, Wallis Simpson. The 'red boxes', which are the official and often top-secret material the king must read and sign are neglected for weeks. Some have even been seen in Berlin. German...y is rearming with 300,000 fighter planes per year. Can Britain and its empire survive? Or can a woman change the course of history? Can Miss Lily's most surprisingly successful student, Australian cattle empress Sophie Higgs, now the widowed Countess of Shillings, seduce 'David', not just from marriage with Simpson, but from irresponsibility, extravagance, and the fantasy of being a fascist king? And what of the man who loves Sophie, war-damaged doctor, Daniel Greenman, and Sophie's two children, Miss Lily, and even her late husband Nigel, who - just possibly - might not be dead? And what will Hannelore, Princesszin von Arneburg choose, torn between the country she loves and the blind child she adores, now deemed 'Lebensunwertes Leben ... unworthy of life' by Adolf Hitler's new law? If a man can sacrifice his life for his country and all he loves, should a woman hesitate to sacrifice her honour? Based on new correspondence found in the German archives, Lilies, Lies and Love is entirely a work of fiction. Or is it?
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Butter O'Bryan has been told there are ghosts on Howler's Beach, but are there? Butter O'Bryan may live in a 'Very Small Castle' on the headland with his father and doting aunts, but he is very aware of the hardship that the Depression has created with 'susso' camps' and desperat...e unemployment. Butter has been told there are ghosts on nearby isolated Howler's Beach, but are there? And how can the children that Butter plays cricket with on the beach simply vanish? Who are these children and why do they refuse his help? Butter is certain the children are hiding a secret and he is determined to solve the mystery.
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An 'Ice Age' meets Diary of a Wombat story Dippy the diprotodon is the BIGGEST and friendliest wombat who lived 100,000 years ago. Dippy has dug a new hole. A BIG hole, which leads him to a strange new world - and even stranger new friends. But do these giant creatures really jus...t want to play? Based on a concept by Ben Smith Whatley and brought to life by the creators of the internationally bestselling Diary of a Wombat, this is an hilarious story of prehistoric daring and chaos set in the fascinating world of ancient Australian megafauna. PRAISE FOR DIPPY'S BIG DAY OUT 'Dippy's Big Day Out is deceptively simple but fosters adventure, curiosity, self-sufficiency and getting enough rest after play.' Books+Publishing
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This non-fiction picture book will cover the history of the land masses that we know as Southeast Asia and will be written by the highly respected and awarded historical fiction author and Children's Laureate, Jackie French, and ANU academic, Professor Virginia Hooker and complim...ented with the beautiful artwork of Mark Wilson. Southeast Asia is our neighbour, but to many it is almost unknown beyond holiday destinations in Bali or Bangkok.It is an essential part of our curriculum, but with almost no material to support it. Even those who know its modern geography don't know its history. At most, Southeast Asia is seen as individual countries.And yet it's not. the history of Southeast Asia and Australia is intertwined. We are linked by the winds and great tides that bring our weather; by the seas that brought conquerors, or those who sailed here and stayed. A volcano in Indonesia may bring down planes in Perth, or cause a drought in tasmania.This is the story of the region, from the first footstep, more than 60,000 years ago, to the ASEAN conference of 2015.Divided into sections, the book will tell the story of one land, one era of history, but also how that past and place isl linked to us all. It is a book that will hopefully entice both children and adults to seek more in the extensive notes and materials that will support the book, but will also be read for its own beauty and insight into the region where we live, but do not know. the authors hope that their ties within the region will mean the book is sold to countries in the region. As the title says, it is about us all.
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AN 'ICE AGE' MEETS DIARY OF A WOMBAT STORY The setting is Australia, 100,000 years ago, where a VERY LARGE wombat is seen sleeping and most probably scratching, as well. This is where it all began. Dippy is a sweet, gentle wombat who lived many many thousands of years ago. He als...o happens to be a BIG wombat, one the size of a mini bus; a diprotodon from 100,000 years ago, and his friends include dinosaurs , thylacines, and other megafauna. All Dippy wants is to discover a place to sleep where his snoring won't disturb his friends, plus delicious food to eat. But where will he find them? This is a story of hilarious prehistoric mayhem and triumph, set in the world of Australian megafauna.
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I remember when rain stopped, When day by day the water dropped, All across a sun-bleached land, Drought spread its withered, deadly hand. From the award-winning creators of Flood, Fire and Cyclone comes Droughta moving story about the devastating effects drought has on many Aust...ralians and their farms.
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From Australia's best-loved storyteller comes the final book in the bestselling Matilda Saga It was one of Australia's greatest romances. The story of Clancy of the Overflow, who gave up so much for the woman he loved and admired. And now their story will be written as Jed McAlpi...ne has persuaded Nancy to tell the story of her grandparents, Clancy and Rose. But other tales lurk behind the folklore that surrounds Clancy and those are the stories of the women hidden in Australia's long history. The Honourable Flora McPherson, who travelled from England to marry Clancy and was then stranded on a drought-doomed property and lost all that was dearest to her. The brilliant but tragically flawed Maria, forced to hide behind both a man's name and a veil, and the extraordinary Mrs McKenzie, stolen from her Indigenous mother to work in the Government House kitchens, now a 'drover's boy'. And finally Rose, the last of her people, who escapes chains to eventually capture Clancy's heart. The final book in the magnificent Matilda Saga, this is a book about the many kinds of love. Clancy's love of the bush, immortalised in Paterson's poem. Nancy's deep understanding of her country, and her need to pass it on. But perhaps the most moving love story of all was the one that never happened, between Matilda O'Halloran and Clancy of the Overflow. But now there is another Matilda, and another Clancy. They will waltz beside the river, as a young Matilda did in 1894, as Jed writes her book and gives a voice to the forgotten: those strong and remarkable women who forged a nation. PRAISE FOR THE MATILDA SAGA 'An engrossing mystery story, an ode to strong women, and a moving exploration of the private wounds we carry ... The Last Dingo Summer is a must for your summer reading list' - Better Reading 'The perfect read for anyone who loves immersing themselves in Australian fiction. Gripping, emotional and moving, Facing the Flame is a great book to curl up with' - New Idea 'Highly recommended ..
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Following on from OPHELIA, QUEEN OF DENMARK (July 2015), this is the third title in the series for young people that focuses on the reinterpretation of Shakespeare's classic and enduring plays. 'I didn't mean to do it'. Annie is not a witch, but when her mistress Lady Macbeth cal...ls for a potion to 'stiffen Macbeth's sinews', Annie is caught up in plots that lead to murder, kingship and betrayal. Annie must also not only choose between Rab the Blacksmith and Murdoch, Thane of Greymouth, but discover where her loyalty lies. A searing story of passion, betrayal, battles and love, this is Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' stripped of superstition, and its power and beauty refined into fewer words where good balances the evil and there is a happy ending - for some. Ages: 10+
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An 'Ice Age' meets Diary of a Wombat story Dippy is a diprotodon, the BIGGEST, friendliest wombat who lived 100,000 years ago. All Dippy wants is happy friends, a place to sleep and lots to eat. Who knew that could be such an adventure? Based on a concept by Ben Smith Whatley and... brought to life by the creators of the internationally bestselling Diary of a Wombat, this is a hilarious story of prehistoric daring and chaos set in the fascinating world of ancient Australia megafauna. PRAISE 'Dippy's Big Day Out is deceptively simple but fosters adventure, curiosity, self-sufficiency and getting enough rest after play.' - Books+Publishing
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A SWASHBUCKLING ADVENTURE FROM AUSTRALIA'S CHILDREN'S LAUREATE Twelve-year-old Ben Huntsmore is the son of a ship-owner, an only child who loves the farming life on his family's estate, Badger's Hill. But when Ben's father loses their ancestral home to pay a gambling debt, Ben re...luctantly joins his father in a desperate venture to win back their home, capturing enemy trading ships off the west Australian coast. While at sea, Ben must face not just the giant waves of the Southern Ocean but also Dutch guns, as well as unexpected treachery as he realises that his almost-unknown father will sacrifice even his son to make his fortune. Only the unexpected friendships of the mysterious convict Higgins and young Indigenous sailor Guwara will help Ben survive, as well as show him the true meaning of loyalty and riches. From one of Australia's most-renowned children's authors comes a book filled with swashbuckling adventures that uncovers Australian's hidden history as a pirate port and slavers' den. PRAISE FOR NANBERRY: BLACK BROTHER WHITE 'For really, really good Australian young-adult (and middle-grade) historical fiction, Jackie French has always been a winner ... With Nanberry: Black Brother White she delivers an excellent fictionalised account of the First Fleet's settlement at Sydney Cove ... a powerful novel' - Australian Bookseller & Publisher, 5 stars 'She is one of few masters who can embed historic characters in rattling good tales, and her meticulous research is seamlessly inserted so that you live the detail rather than learn it. Even if you are not into history, Nanberry will hook you in ... Irresistible for history buffs of any age' - Good Reading Magazine, 5 stars 'I've been telling all my friends to read this book, and to give it to their kids to read. It's absolutely engrossing' - Herald Sun
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