The Fabulous Friend Machine


Book Description

A cautionary tale from the bestselling creator of the Cranky Bear books. Now in paperback! Popcorn is THE friendliest chicken at Fiddlesticks farm -- so friendly that she wins the annual prize for it . . . which she naturally gives away to someone who can use it more. She's just that nice of a bird. But when Popcorn finds a forgotten smartphone in the barn, she sets about making some brand new friends. Soon she is so busy sending messages to them that she begins to forget her old friends. When a meet-up with her new friends is about to end in disaster, the quick-thinking animals of Fiddlesticks Farm save the day . . . and one relieved chicken learns a lesson. The Fabulous Friend Machine is wry cautionary tale for these wired times, by the globally best-selling creator of the Cranky Bear books.




The Technology Tail


Book Description

A cute, creative story about children and their texts, tweets, posts and pics. Don’t be mean and irresponsible! That’s the straight-to-the-point advice “Screen” has for young readers who are active on social media. Whether tapping out messages on their computers, tablets or phones, Screen wants kids to know their words – the kind and the cruel – will follow them for life, creating a digital trail that can't be erased.




Machine of Death


Book Description

MACHINE OF DEATH tells thirty-four different stories about people who know how they will die. Prepare to have your tears jerked, your spine tingled, your funny bone tickled, your mind blown, your pulse quickened, or your heart warmed. Or better yet, simply prepare to be surprised. Because even when people do have perfect knowledge of the future, there's no telling exactly how things will turn out.




The Man on the Washing Machine


Book Description

When former party girl and society photographer Theophania Bogart flees to San Francisco to escape a high-profile family tragedy, a series of murders drags her unwillingly out of hiding. In no time at all she discovers she's been providing cover for a sophisticated smuggling operation, she starts to fall for an untrustworthy stranger, and she's knocked out, tied up and imprisoned. The police are sure she's lying. The smugglers are sure she knows too much. Her friends? They aren't sure what to believe. The body count is rising and Theo struggles to find the killer before she's the next victim or her new life is exposed as an elaborate fraud. But the more deeply entangled she becomes, the more her investigation is complicated by her best friend, who is one of her prime suspects; her young protégé, who may or may not have a juvie record; her stern and unyielding grandfather, who exposes an unexpected soft center; and the man on her washing machine, who isn't quite what he appears, either. Susan Cox's Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Award-winning novel is a charming debut with wacky, colorful characters and a delightfully twisted mystery.




Troll Stinks


Book Description

"Two billy goats discover the perils of making assumptions and acting on prejudice in this ... tale about online bullying"--




The Runaway Hug


Book Description

"Mommy," said Lucy. "Can I have a hug before I go to bed?" When Mommy jokes that she only has one hug left, Lucy decides she must keep Mommy's last hug safe. As Lucy shares the hug with everyone in her large and loving family, she is always careful to get it back . . . until the canine member of the family refuses to play along! Highly acclaimed, internationally bestselling picture-book creators Nick Bland and Freya Blackwood collaborate for the first time on this charming story, which celebrates the imaginative powers of children and the extraordinary love to be found in ordinary bedtime routines.




Radio Rescue!


Book Description

Jim and his family live happily on their remote outback station. Yet, sometimes Jim feels lonely. Then a strange new radio with pedals arrives and Jim's Mum and Dad can send messages to their neighbours. Jim wants to have a go! 'When you're older,' says Dad. Then something happens that only Jim can deal with. Will he learn how to use the radio in time to save Dad? 'Radio Rescue!' is a beautifully illustrated flap book that takes us back to the origins of communication in the outback, with fascinating factual information at the back of the book. A sister book to the award-winning 'Tea and Sugar Christmas', with the same author and illustrator.




My Blue Elephant


Book Description

A little girl has a BIG secret. It's her pet elephant, but sshhh ... nobody knows! Will she be able to hide him for long?




A Flicker of Hope


Book Description

HOPE is our children's window for a better tomorrow. In terms of resilience and well-being, hope is a critically important predictor of success. This creative story from the best-selling author of My Mouth is a Volcano!, and Bubble Gum Brain, reminds children that dark clouds can be temporary and asking for help is always okay. We all have times when we need to borrow a little hope from someone else.

When your clouds get too dark, and too heavy to push away, Reach out and ask, "Can I borrow some light?" "I'm having a really bad day." It's always okay to admit to yourself, "I just can't do it today. Everyone needs somebody sometimes, to help them find their way." Sometimes the dark clouds overhead seem too heavy and you feel like giving up. Little candle knows all about this. Bad grades, blasted on social media, worried about making the team, and wondering who her real friends are so many hard things to deal with! All she can see is darkness. But her story begins to change when someone notices she needs a boost of hope. As little candle is reminded she has purpose and her own unique gifts, and that she isn't the only one with dark clouds, her dim light begins to shine brighter. This hopeful story emphasizes for children (and adults) the many different ways to ask for help, and their ability to be a hope builder for others, too.




My Friend Ernest


Book Description

It's the first day of school and Ernest seems so mean and scary. But is he really? It's the first day of school and Oscar is trying hard to be brave. Oscar's mum feels sure he will make lots of friends, but Oscar isn't so sure, particularly when Ernest seems so mean and scary. But is he really? From talented picture book creators, award-winning Emma Allen and talented new illustrator Hannah Sommerville, comes a book about the joy of making friends.