15
children’s AUGUST 2021 new books
c h i l d r e n ’ s
AUGUST 2021n e w b o o k s
AN UNEXPECTED HERO: POW POW PIG 1
Anh Do, illustrated by Peter Cheong
Allen & Unwin9781760526405 | $15.99 | | PB | Junior Fiction
Who do you call when the world is ending? I dunno, but we've got this crew! An awesome new time-travelling adventure from
the mega-bestselling author of Wolf Girl and Ninja Kid
Hi there! My name is Piccolo. Also known as Pow Pow Pig!
I live in the year 2050, and THE WORLD IS IN TROUBLE.
Don't worry though, because me and my friends Cha Cha Chicken, Kung Fu Duck and Barry the Goat are on the case. We may not be the strongest or cleverest animals around, but you should see what we can do with a broom and a tea towel.
A brand new fast-and-funny junior fiction series from bestselling author, comedian and artist Anh Do for ages 6-11.
Anh Do is one of Australia's best-loved storytellers. His series including Wolf Girl, E-Boy and WeirDo are adored by millions of kids around the country. Peter Cheong is a Perth-based illustrator.
Allen & Unwin 9781760526405 $15.99 PB Junior Fiction NZ$17.99
IT'S OWL GOOD: THE SUPER ADVENTURES OF OLLIE AND
BEA 1Renee Treml
Allen & Unwin9781760526474 | $12.99 | | PB | Graphic Novel
Soon-to-be best friends, Ollie & Bea, will delight young readers in Book 1 of this super sweet and
funny full-colour graphic novel series
Come with Ollie and Bea on a HARE-raising adventure with a HOPPY ending!
Ollie is an owl who wears glasses. And Bea is a bunny with very big feet. Can they each help their new friend to find their OTTER-LY awesome inner superhero?
Join them in this charming, funny, cute story about the joys of making friends and having fun. The perfect book for young readers who love to laugh. For ages 4-7.
Renee Treml is the bestselling creator of such picture books as Once I Heard a Little Wombat, Sleep Tight, Platypup and Wombat Big, Puggle Small.
Allen & Unwin 9781760526474 $12.99 PB Graphic Novel NZ$14.99
SQUEALS ON WHEELS: THE SUPER ADVENTURES OF
OLLIE AND BEA 2Renee Treml
Allen & Unwin9781760526481 | $12.99 | | PB | Graphic Novel
Best friends, Ollie & Bea, continue to delight young readers in Book 2 of this graphic novel
series that celebrates friendship and the differences that make us special
Q. What's the hardest part of learning to skate?A. THE GROUND!
Ollie is having a HOOT on his rollerskates, but Bea is full of excuses for why she can't join in. Will she realise that sometimes it's okay to look silly, and that real friends don't CARROT all if you have very big feet?
Ollie and Bea continue to charm in this super-cute series about the joys of friends and fun and lots of puns. The perfect book for young readers who love to laugh.
Renee Treml is also the creator of the funny junior fiction graphic novel Sherlock Bones and the Natural History Mystery and its sequel, Sherlock Bones and the Sea-Creature Feature.
Allen & Unwin 9781760526481 $12.99 PB Graphic Novel NZ$14.99
ROBIN HOOD 3: JET SKIS, SWAMPS & SMUGGLERS
Robert Muchamore
Hotkey9781471409493 | $14.99 | | PB | Middle Fiction
Robin and Marion are taking on the authorities again in the third action-packed adventure from international bestseller Robert
Muchamore
There's a price on Robin's head, one that has attracted a gang of ruthless mercenaries who are determined to track him down and hand him over to Guy Gisborne. So Robin is hiding out by the sea, but trouble has a way of finding him.
Before long he is helping to rescue refugees and trying to avoid the attentions of Customs and Immigration officials. Then he and Marion discover a people-smuggling operation: desperate people brought into the country to work in slave-like conditions making cheap goods. It's only a matter of time before the two of them are trying to find out who is behind it—and Robin is again making the headlines with spectacular raids on the rich and powerful. For ages 10-14.
Robert Muchamore is the bestselling author of the CHERUB series. He has sold over 15 million books worldwide which have been translated into 24 languages.
Hotkey 9781471409493 $14.99 PB Middle Fiction NZ$16.99
KATE ON THE CASE Hannah Peck
Piccadilly Books9781848129702 | $14.99 | | PB | Junior Fiction
A delicious detective story set on a train from a wonderful new author/illustrator
Young reporter-in-training Kate and her mouse-accomplice Rupert are on board a train, to visit Kate's mum in the Arctic. But as soon as the train departs, mysterious things start happening.A packet of ginger nuts goes missing . . .A collection of gymnastics trophies are stolen . . .And some ancient scrolls disappear . . .Fellow passenger Madame Maude seems the most likely culprit, until a surprising—and delicious— twist turns the whole investigation on its head.
First in a witty chapter-book series about a bold young detective and a colourful cast of suspects, in a setting worthy of Agatha Christie. For ages 7+.
Hannah Peck is an author and illustrator based in London.
Piccadilly Books 9781848129702 $14.99 PB Junior Fiction NZ$16.99
DANNY CHUNG DOES NOT DO MATHS Maisie Chan
Piccadilly Books9781800780019 | $14.99 | | PB | Middle Fiction
A warm-hearted and funny novel about family, friends and finding your own voice
Eleven-year-old Danny Chung loves drawing more than anything—certainly more than maths, which, according to his dad and everyone else, is what he is 'supposed' to be good at. He also loves having his own room where he can draw in peace, so his life is turned upside down when a surprise that he's been promised turns out to be his little, wrinkly, ex-maths-champion grandmother from China. What's worse, Nai Nai has to share his room, AND she takes the top bunk!
Nai Nai can't speak a word of English, which doesn't make things easy for Danny when he is charged with looking after her during his school holidays. Before long though it becomes clear to Danny that there is more to Nai Nai than meets the eye, and that they have more in common that he thought possible . . . For ages 10+.
Maisie Chan is a British-born Chinese author. She lives in Glasgow.
Piccadilly Books 9781800780019 $14.99 PB Middle Fiction N$16.99
SUGAR TOWN QUEENS Malla Nunn
Allen & Unwin9781760526832 | $19.99 | | PB | YA
From the award-winning author of the CBCA shortlisted When the Ground is Hard, comes a stunning portrait of a family
divided and a powerful story of how friendship saves and heals
When Amandla wakes up on her fifteenth birthday, she knows it's going to be one of her mother's difficult days. Her mother has had another vision. This one involves Amandla wearing a bedsheet loosely stitched as a dress. An outfit, her mother says, is certain to bring Amandla's father back home. But in truth, Amandla's father has long been gone and even her mother's memory of him is hazy. It's just one of the many reasons people in Sugar Town give them strange looks—that and the fact her mother is white and Amandla is Black.
When Amandla finds a mysterious address in the bottom of her mother's handbag along with a large amount of cash, she decides it's finally time to get answers about her mother's life. What she discovers will change the shape and size of her family forever. But with her best friends at her side, Amandla is ready to take on family secrets and the devil himself. These Sugar Town queens are ready to take over the world to expose the hard truths of their lives. For ages 13-18.
Malla Nunn is an award-winning screenwriter and film director. Born in Swaziland, and raised in South Africa, she now lives in Sydney.
Allen & Unwin 9781760526832 $19.99 PB YA NZ$22.99
SABRIEL 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION Garth Nix
Allen & Unwin9781760878214 | $27.99 | | HB | YA
A tale of dark secrets, deep love and dangerous magic—Garth Nix's masterwork is a compelling high fantasy, the gripping
story of a young heroine who must do battle in Death itself to defeat a powerful enemy
'Passionately exciting, full of intriguing characters and stunning scenery, Sabriel is sheer enjoyment.' The Times
For many years Sabriel has lived outside the walls of the Old Kingdom, away from the random power of Free Magic, and away from the Dead who won't stay dead. But now her father, the Mage Abhorsen, is missing, and to find him Sabriel must cross back into that treacherous world—and face the power of her own extraordinary destiny. For ages 14-99.
Garth Nix is a multi-award-winning author who has sold more than six million books around the world including the Old Kingdom fantasy series, The Keys to the Kingdom series, The Seventh Tower sequence, Angel Mage and The Left-handed Booksellers of London.
Allen & Unwin 9781760878214 $27.99 HB YA NZ$32.99
UNDERGROUND Marsupial outlaws and other rebels of Australia’s war in Vietnam
Mirranda Burton
Allen & Unwin 9781760631475 | $29.99 | | PB | Graphic Novel
Led by an unconscientiously objecting wombat registered for military service during Australia's war in Vietnam, Underground digs tunnels
through a chapter of Australian history that many have attempted to bury
Why would a wombat be registered for war? It's 1965, and an old Tattersalls barrel starts rolling marbles to randomly conscript young Australian men to fight in the war in Vietnam. Melbourne housewife Jean McLean is outraged, as are her artist friends Clif and Marlene Pugh, who live in the country with their wombat, Hooper.
Determined to wreck the system, Jean forms the Save Our Sons movement's Victorian branch, and she and her supporters take to the streets to protest. Meanwhile, in the small country town of Katunga, Bill Cantwell joins the Australian Army, and in Saigon, young Mai Ho is writing letters to South Vietnamese soldiers from her school desk. And when Hooper's call-up papers arrive, he mysteriously goes underground . . .
As these stories intersect in unexpected ways, a new world gradually emerges—a world in which bridges of understanding make more sense than war. This stunning graphic novel, full of empathy, courage and resistance, is based on true events. For ages 14-18.
Mirranda Burton is an award-winning graphic novelist and was artist in residence for two years at Australian artist Clifton Pugh's former studio. Born in Auckland, she now lives in Melbourne.
Allen & Unwin 9781760631475 $29.99 PB Graphic Novel NZ$32.99
THE FOREVERS Chris Whitaker
Hotkey9781471410994 | $19.99 | | PB | YA
What would you do if you knew the world was going to be destroyed by a huge asteroid in one month? The mesmerising YA debut from an
acclaimed crime writer
They knew the end was coming. They saw it ten years back, when it was far enough away in space and time and meaning. The changes were gradual, and then sudden.
For Mae and her friends, it means navigating a life where action and consequence are no longer related. Where the popular are both trophies and targets. And where petty grudges turn deadlier with each passing day. So, did Abi Manton jump off the cliff or was she pushed? Her death is just the beginning of the end.
With teachers losing control of their students and themselves, and the end rushing toward all of them, it leaves everyone facing the answer to one, simple question . . . What would you do if you could get away with anything? For ages 13+.
Chris Whitaker is the award-winning author of adult thrillers Tall Oaks, All The Wicked Girls and We Begin at the End. He lives in the UK.
Hotkey 9781471410994 $19.99 PB YA NZ$22.99
WE GO WAY BACK Idan Ben-Barak, illustrated by Philip Bunting
Allen & Unwin 9781760526085 | $24.99 | | HB | Picture Book
An entertaining yet scientifically accurate exploration of the origin of life on Earth from the award-winning author of Do Not Lick This Book
and the bestselling illustrator of Who Am I?
What is life? How did it start? Long, long ago, no one knows exactly where or when, a tiny bubble formed that was a Little Bit Different. It was the first living cell. Everyone's ancestor.
And so the story of life begins . . .
In this visually stunning and brilliantly devised picture book, Idan Ben-Barak and Philip Bunting lead us through the origin of life on our planet, and how an odd little bubble gave rise to the incredible web of life on Earth. For ages 6-10.
Idan Ben-Barak is an award-winning children’s author and a scientist whose PhD was about the origin of life on Earth. He lives in Melbourne. Philip Bunting is a multi-award-winning author and illustrator. He lives in Queensland.
Allen & Unwin 9781760526085 $24.99 HB Picture Book NZ$27.99
THE INHERITANCE Armin Greder
Allen & Unwin9781760526788 | $29.99 | | HB | Picture Book
A provocative call-to-arms to economic leaders to change course and better protect our planet and its people, presented in words and pictures
by the multi-award-winning creator of The Island and The Mediterranean
'All this will soon be yours, respect what I have built and make it prosper.' These are the last words of the old industrialist before dying. While the three brothers discuss how to fulfil their father's wishes, the sister lists for them the disastrous consequences that would follow: disease; marine pollution; deforestation; the destruction of the landscape; pollution of skies and rivers . . .
The Inheritance tells of the greed and blindness of those who hold economic power, and reminds us that silence and indifference amount to complicity. With minimal text, this powerful story is told primarily through Armin Greder's distinctive illustrations that challenge the reader to question the status quo and fight for the future. For 8-14.
Armin Greder is the award-winning creator of The Mediterranean, The Island, The City, Australia to Z and Diamonds. Born in Switzerland, he migrated to Australia before moving to live in Peru.
Allen & Unwin 9781760526788 $29.99 HB Picture Book NZS32.99
TOO MANY CHEEKY DOGS (PAPA MAWAL-MAWALPA
TJUTA) Johanna Bell and Dion Beasley
Allen & Unwin9781760526696 | $24.99 | | HB | Picture Book
Rediscover this much-loved book featuring the cheeky antics of dogs in a remote outback
community, and experience Pitjantjatjara, a widely spoken language in central and southern
Australia
Mantaina anu ngayuku kuntiliku walikutu. Nyaana puta nyangu?
So begins this Pitjantjatjara edition of the bestselling cheeky book set in a remote Indigenous community, romping through numbers, colours and days of the week to the hilarious finale. For ages 3-5.
Dion Beasley and Johanna Bell are the creators of Too Many Cheeky Dogs, the CBCA Book of the Year, Go Home Cheeky Animals, and the illustrated memoir Cheeky Dogs: To Lake Nash and Back, which recently won the 2020 Prime Minister's Literary Award for Children's Literature.
Allen & Unwin 9781760526696 $24.99 HB Picture Book NZ$27.99
RUFFLES AND THE TEENY TINY KITTENS
David Melling
Nosy Crow9781788009904 | $19.99 | | HB | Picture Book
Laugh with Ruffles as he faces all the tricksy troubles of toddler life in this brightly coloured new picture book series from an award-winning
author and illustrator
Ruff! Ruff! Hello, Ruffles! Ruffles is a typical toddler who experiences all the highs and lows of preschool life as he learns about the world around him. There are lots of things he likes . . . and lots of things he doesn't!
The Teeny Tiny Kittens have come to stay and Ruffles is NOT happy. They pounce and purr and snore and jump and POOP! Worst of all, they want to play with Big Blue Blankie, and Ruffles doesn't want to share. But the Teeny Tiny Kittens don't understand and there's trouble when Big Blue Blankie is accidentally ripped. Luckily, Ruffles' new feline friends show him that sharing together is the very best way to make friends and play. For ages 3-5.
David Melling is the creator of The Kiss That Missed and the Hugless Douglas series. He lives in the UK.
Nosy Crow 9781788009904 $19.99 HB Picture Book NZ$22.99
THE CAT AND THE RAT AND THE HAT
Em Lynas, illustrated by Matt Hunt
Nosy Crow9781839940927 | $24.99 | | HB | Picture Book
A raucous, read-aloud picture book, bursting with comic capers and animal antics!
Cat is sitting on his favourite mat, when who should come along but Rat with a very nice hat? Cat wants Rat's hat and will stop at NOTHING to get it. But when Bat arrives wearing a fancy cravat, well, what could be better than that? Chaos ensues as both Cat and Rat decide they MUST have Bat's fancy cravat for themselves!
A hilarious, rhyming tale bursting with tongue-twister text, slapstick humour, bright neon artwork, comic capers and animal antics that will have children (and adults) in fits of laughter! For ages 3-5.
Em Lynas is a primary school teacher and children's author. Matt Hunt is a fine artist and children's illustrator. They live in the UK.
Nosy Crow 9781839940927 $24.99 HB Picture Book NZ$27.99
BEYONCÉ KNOWLES (WORK IT, GIRL)
Caroline Moss, illustrated by Sinem Erkas
Frances Lincoln Children'ss9780711249462 | $19.99 | | HB | People & Places
Discover how Beyoncé became a superstar singer and entrepreneur in this true story of her life. Find out what makes Queen Bey tick, what inspires her and what motivates her. Learn about her passion for activism—right up to date with her support for Black Lives Matter. Then, learn 10 key lessons from her work that you can apply to your own life. Brightly coloured photo illustrations of 3D cut paper artwork featuring inspiring quotes bring the story of this amazing woman to vivid life. For ages 7-12.
Caroline Moss is the American author of Hey Ladies! Sinem Erkas is a British graphic artist and art director.
Frances Lincoln Children's 9780711249462 $19.99 HB People & Places NZ$22.99
MY BEAUTIFUL VOICEJoseph Coelho, illustrated by
Allison Colpoys
Frances Lincoln Children's9780711248304 | $24.99 | | HB | Poetry
A moving, lyrical picture book about a shy child unlocking the power of their own voice through poetry, with the helping hand of an extra special teacher. This beautifully illustrated and heart-warming text shows children that everyone’s voice can be powerful and beautiful, however small. The perfect way to encourage empathy in young children and show shy children how to feel brave. For ages 4-7.
Joseph Coelho is an award-winning poet and performer from London. Allison Colpoys is an award-winning designer and illustrator from Melbourne.
Frances Lincoln Children's 9780711248304 $24.99 HB Poetry NZ$27.99
THE SMALL THINGS Lisa Thompson
Barrington Stoke9781781129647 | $12.99 | | PB | Middle Fiction
Anna's anxious when she's picked to befriend the new girl in her class. For a start, Ellie is ill so Anna has to communicate with her through a robot. But Anna is also worried her life's too small and boring to be of interest to her so when Ellie asks her a question, a little white lie pops out. Then another and another. When Ellie finds out the truth, can their friendship survive? A poignant and uplifting novella inspired by a true story. For ages 8-12.
Lisa Thompson is the author of the best-selling The Goldfish Boy and The Light Jar. She lives in the UK.
Barrington Stoke 9781781129647 $12.99 PB Middle Fiction NZ$14.99
Discover the life of the vivacious (and accidental) fashion icon. For ages 4-7.
Discover the incredible life of the beloved supreme court justice. For ages 4-7.
RUTH BADER GINSBURG (LITTLE PEOPLE, BIG DREAMS) Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara, illustrated by Judit OroszFrances Lincoln Children's 9780711264687 | $19.99 HB | People & Places
IRIS APFEL (LITTLE PEOPLE, BIG DREAMS) Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara, illustrated by Kristen BarnhartWide Eyed Editions9780711258983 | $19.99 HB | People & Places
THE WAY TO IMPOSSIBLE ISLAND
Sophie Kirtley
Bloomsbury9781526616302 | $14.99 | | PB | Middle Fiction
Born with a serious heart condition, Dara feels the adventures he dreams of are simply impossible. And then he finds a girl hiding in a boat shed. She wears animal skins. She has a real live pet wolf. Could Mothgirl really be from the Stone Age? As Dara and Mothgirl set out on a wild, windswept sea journey, Dara begins to realise that when you stop worrying about what's impossible, you can do anything. A brave, life-affirming timeslip adventure about finding your family and finding yourself. For ages 9+.
Sophie Kirtley is the author of The Wild Way Home. She lives in the UK.
Bloomsbury 9781526616302 $14.99 PB Middle Fiction NZ$16.99
THE MAGICAL BOOKSHOP Katja Frixe
Oneworld9781786075666 | $14.99 | | PB | Middle Fiction
What do you do when your best friend moves away? Clara takes comfort in her favourite place: Mrs Owl’s bookshop. Mrs Owl had a knack for finding the perfect book for every customer, before they even realised what it was they were looking for. Surrounded by books that spring to life, a rhyming cat and mounds of cinnamon buns, Clara never feels alone. But someone is determined to close the bookshop down. Now it’s up to Clara and her new friends to save it. For ages 8-12.
Katja Frixe is a German freelance author and translator.
Oneworld 9781786075666 $14.99 PB Middle Fiction NZ$16.99
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