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Chico the Schnauzer (Taryn Brumfitt, illus Levi George, Puffin)
Released January 2024
One day, Chico’s owners leave the gate open, and he embarks on an epic playdate with his doggy friends, including Gary the Greyhound and Penelope the Poodle. Chico soon discovers... Read more
Life Skills for a Broken World (Ahona Guha, Scribe)
Released January 2024
Like having a therapist in your pocket, Life Skills for a Broken World is a guide to positive mental health, leading readers through potential pitfalls and prevention strategies. Ahona Guha,... Read more
A Dance with Murder (Elizabeth Coleman, Pantera)
Released January 2024
A Dance with Murder is the second outing for private investigator Edwina ‘Ted’ Bristol and her sidekick, Miss Marple, an intelligent and perceptive miniature schnauzer, following A Routine Infidelity (February,... Read more
Birdsong by the Billabong (Maura Finn, illus Cate James, Affirm)
Released January 2024
Birdsong by the Billabong—the third picture book in Maura Finn and Cate James’s Billabong series—revisits the tone, style and structure of By the Billabong and Babies at the Billabong. All... Read more
The Strip (Iain Ryan, Ultimo)
Released January 2024
Iain Ryan plunges readers into the gritty, seedy underbelly of the 1980s Gold Coast in his latest noir crime novel, The Strip. Brimming with corruption and seduction, illicit meetings held... Read more
The Long Lede Anthology (Judith Neilson Institute, Vintage)
Released January 2024
The Long Lede Initiative, a partnership between the Judith Neilson Institute, Penguin Random House, and Copyright Agency, pairs experienced Australian journalists with emerging writers to mentor them in crafting impactful... Read more
Roger the Wrasse and the Itchy Fishes (Sue Pillans, Little Pink Dog)
Released January 2024
Roger the wrasse is a tiny fish with a big job. Each morning, Roger—a sprightly fish with a penchant for singing songs to get through his day—opens his cleaning station.... Read more
Politica (Yumna Kassab, Ultimo)
Released January 2024
Politica is set in an unnamed Middle Eastern country. It explores the impact of war on those directly involved—as well as those indirectly impacted, but whose lives war forever changes.... Read more
The Trees (Victor Steffensen, illus Sandra Steffensen, Hardie Grant Explore)
Released December 2023
The Trees: Learning Tree Knowledge with Uncle Kuu is the second picture book by the team behind Looking after Country with Fire, author Victor Steffensen and illustrator Sandra Steffensen, descendants of the... Read more
The Fires Next Time (ed by Peter Christoff, MUP)
Released December 2023
The world watched in horror from July 2019 to February 2020 as bushfires raged across Australia. The Black Summer fires directly killed 33 people, while hundreds more died from fire-... Read more
The Italian Marriage (Jenna Lo Bianco, Macmillan)
Released January 2024
In Jenna Lo Bianco’s debut romance novel, The Italian Marriage, Sarah and Matthew marry over Zoom so that Matthew can fulfil the requirements of a 15th-century inheritance clause. In return,... Read more
All You Can Be (Angela Casabene, illus Michelle Conn, Affirm)
Released January 2024
Described as a love letter to children everywhere, encouraging them to embrace their true selves and live their lives to the fullest, All You Can Be, written by Angela Casabene... Read more
The Flirtation of Girls/Ghazal el-Banat (Sara M Saleh, UQP)
Released December 2023
The Flirtation of Girls/Ghazal el-Banat, Sara M Saleh’s first published poetry collection, is a cathartic personal and political journey. Saleh sets the tone with the first few poems, saying in... Read more
How to Be a Friend (Sarah Ayoub, illus Mimi Purnell, HarperCollins)
Released December 2023
How to Be a Friend aims to inspire children to be the best friends they can be and teaches them how to recognise true friendship in their lives. In their... Read more
Never Ever Forever (Karina May, Macmillan)
Released December 2023
A charming contemporary Australian romance novel, Never Ever Forever by Karina May is a heartfelt tale of love, second chances and self-discovery. The story revolves around Rosie Royce, an endearing protagonist... Read more
The Broken Wave (Matthew Ryan Davies, Macmillan)
Released December 2023
In 1992, 12-year-old Andrew moves from the US to the coastal town of Queenscliff, Australia, with his mother and stepdad. That summer, he meets Tom, an easygoing Aussie boy who... Read more
Our Family Dragon (Rebecca Lim, illus Cai Tse, Albert Street Books)
Released December 2023
Our Family Dragon: A Lunar New Year story is a joyful celebration of love, family and the Lunar New Year from award-winning writer Rebecca Lim. This festive story is illustrated... Read more
Emergency Exit Only (Michelle Upton, HarperCollins)
Released December 2023
For the past 10 years, Amelia Harris has preferred to gaze at the fire escape doors opposite her desk at Queensland Office Supplies, rather than take any chances with her... Read more
Frank Moorhouse: Strange paths (Matthew Lamb, Knopf)
Released December 2023
Frank Moorhouse worked relentlessly to refine both his writing and his understanding of himself. The first volume of Matthew Lamb’s biography of Moorhouse—who passed away last year at 83—is a valuable... Read more
In the Rockpool (Andrea Rowe, illus Hannah Sommerville, Little Hare)
Released December 2023
Andrea Rowe’s In the Rockpool transports us to a sunny beach where children play on the rock platform. With the sea in the background and the alluring rockpool in the... Read more
