Nanberry is fascinated when the white men arrive in Tumbalong (now known as Darling Harbour) in extraordinary boats, but incredulous at their inability to survive and to respect the land. But a year after their arrival, Nanberry’s whole family is struck down by a mysterious illness and Nanberry, fighting for his life, is taken in by the new colony’s doctor.
It’s Christmas Eve. Mothball the wombat has no idea what Christmas is, or why there are strange, annoying dangly things hanging on the tree but she does know the smell of carrots, her favourite food. When she finds strange creatures are eating her carrots, she fights a battle of wills. Soon, though, her quest for carrots and a comfortable place to sleep sees her taking an unexpected sleigh ride around the world…
Booms, Busts and Bushfires is the eighth title in this ‘Fair Dinkum Histories’ series from Jackie French and Scholastic. The series started with Shipwreck, Sailors and 60,000 Years and ends with this newest title. Jackie French casts her net wide, to touch on a wide range of subjects from the liberal environment that founded the Nimbin communities, through weather extremes, to politics, economics, technology and Indigenous rights…
That’s REAL LIFE, your royal highness,’ said the butler kindly. ‘Well…’ said the little prince. “I think real life could be improved.’ The little prince loves reading the books in the palace library, but somehow the real world never seems as good as he imagines. So, when his parents leave him in charge, he and … Continue reading “The Tomorrow Book, by Jackie French & Sue Degennaro”
Few Australian picture books have been as internationally successful as Diary of a Wombat (2002). Now the team from this book have produced a sequel, Baby Wombat’s Week, featuring the offspring of that first wombat. Just like his mother, Mothball, Baby Wombat creates havoc as he digs, searches for food, and plays with his friend … Continue reading “Baby Wombat's Week, by Jackie French”
Up, up through the blackness of the wormhole ceiling. Boo was pressed next to Yesterday’s blue silk dress on one side, and Princess’s gold brocade one on the other, his nose between Mug’s armoured knees, the pink dinosaurs around them. Up…up…suddenly the world grew light. Too light. Boo blinked. Something was shining in his eyes! … Continue reading “Dance of the Deadly Dinosaurs, by Jackie French”
Behind him he could hear a long sluuuushhh as the Zurm oozed down the stairs. A vision of what would happen hovered in front of him…Spot, glued to the floor, her Frisbee in her mouth, her eyes wide and desperate as she slowly starved. Old Mrs Shaggy, strawberry-jammed solid as she spooned out ice cream … Continue reading “Lessons for a Werewolf Warrior, by Jackie French”
It’s 1854 and, on the Ballarat goldfields, men are willing to risk their lives to find freedom and make their fortunes in the mines. Sam is a homeless teenager, who finds herself transported back through time, to 1854, on the Ballarat goldfields. She is taken in by Mr and Mrs Puddleham, who adopt her as … Continue reading “The Night They Stormed Eureka, by Jackie French”
The Grand Poohjam giggled. As soon as the kids were married, he’d be able to claim O’Straylia in the Princess’s name. After he killed her father, of course. And then he could get rid of her. Oh yes, the Grand Poohjam knew exactly how to make kids do as they were told! The Grand Poohjam … Continue reading “The Wombat and the Grand Poohjam, by Jackie French”
For a moment he thought he had been hit himself. In the head maybe, that would be it. For there it was, chomping the grass like its life depended on it. A flaming donkey. When Jack Simpson lands at Gallipoli, his job is to carry the wounded away from the battle with his fellow stretcher … Continue reading “The Donkey Who Carried the Wounded, by Jackie French”
