Books & Media

In the land of hard-workers, meet the world’s laziest ant! From architecture to farming, explore how amazing ant-work can be.

The other ants think Anita is lazy, but she just can’t choose what job to do. At the colony job fair, she discovers all the types of work that go on inside and around the anthill, but that just gives her a taste for adventure. Reporting back on her travels – did you know ants were the world’s first farmers, and can build their own boats? – Anita accidentally, finds her perfect role.

About the Book

*PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY OF BRIDGET COLLINS' STUNNING NEW NOVEL, THE NAKED LIGHT*

The Sunday Times bestseller, from the author of The Binding

'Utterly original… ensnared me from the very first page' EMILIA HART

'Storytelling at its most immersive' ERIN KELLY

The whole world disappears when you enter

THE SILENCE FACTORY

 

In the Factory, the looms clatter all day. Cobwebs found in ancient Mediterranean glades are spun into a precious fabric that silences the world.

But what happens to those who fall under its spell?

And who is harnessing its power?

After all, a world of silence can bring peace, but it can also conceal the deeds of the wicked…

The Silence Factory is an enthralling story about complicity, desire and corruption – a novel to lose yourself in.

'Breathtaking' GLAMOUR

'A gorgeous, gothic read' i PAPER

'A world that exists on the edge of time and magic… this is storytelling at its most immersive' ERIN KELLY

‘Elizabeth was king,

Then James was queen.’ – English author (1603)

James Stuart, King of England, Scotland, and Ireland did not always love wisely, but he never failed to do so boldly.

He fell in love three times – with a Scottish lord, a knight and George Villiers, ‘the handsomest man in the whole world’. He was infatuated three more times – with a Highland earl, a Welsh lord and an English spy.

We know so much about the six wives of Henry VIII, why not the six loves of James I?

This groundbreaking new book puts James – genius, liar, spendthrift, idealist, witch-hunter – and the men he loved at the centre of one of the most dramatic stories in British royal history.

Beginning with the brutal and mysterious murder of his father in 1567, James’s life encompassed kidnapping, witchcraft trials, torture, his mother’s beheading, poison, political radicalism, religious fundamentalism, a queen’s alleged abortion, passionate sex, strong love, stronger hate, espionage, brothels, and a decade-long love affair that ended in assassination.

It is unquestionably one of the most gripping stories in British history, retold in Gareth Russell’s Queen James with scholarship, biographical insight and wit.

________________________________

'Books like this don't come along very often. Told with Gareth Russell's characteristic verve and exquisite eye for detail, it is a story so compelling and surprising that it feels as if it has been hiding in plain sight for 400 years. A stunning achievement and a must for history fans everywhere' TRACY BORMAN

Born and raised in remote Broken Hill, Trevor Barry left school after year ten to work in the mines. Years later, a single glimpse of Saturn through a colleague's telescope knocked Trevor's world completely off its axis, turning his whole life upside down.

With his newfound passion and armed with decades of outback know-how, Trevor set about building an observatory in his backyard using bits and pieces from his shed, a second-hand washing machine motor, rainwater tank parts and an old catamaran wire. It took some canny negotiations with his wife, Cheryl, 'the Gorgeous and Adorable', whose prized garden took a battering - especially when he decided to add a second storey - but before long Trevor was not just gazing at the stars but capturing extraordinary images of the planets.

Over the years, Trevor's love affair with Saturn, 'the ringed jewel of the solar system', only grew more passionate, and in his early fifties he did a degree in astronomy, topping his class. When he recorded a massive storm on Saturn from his backyard observatory, he alerted NASA. The world's greatest space agency took note and invited Trevor to contribute to its interplanetary research - leading to opportunities far beyond Broken Hill and even Trevor's wildest dreams.

Today, when he's not tending the greens at his local bowls club, Trevor can usually be found in his backyard, collecting data for international research projects. His work is held in high regard by professional astronomers, and his observations are published in peer-reviewed scientific journals around the world.

From acclaimed picture book maker Barry Falls, a pitch-perfect story about being GIANT . . . even when you’re tiny!

 

Tiny the giant lives in a shoe, and as the smallest giant in the land, he is always overlooked. But, when a HUGE and dastardly troll comes along, could it be Tiny’s diminutive size (along with his HUGE courage) that saves the day?

A joyfully exuberant rhyming story about being seen, heard and accepted – however small you may be!

From the critically acclaimed creator of It’s Your World Now, Dare We Be Dragons and Alone!, shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2022.

Claimed By The Scot - Julia London

Widowed and forced to remarry in three years’ time or forfeit her son’s inheritance, Daisy Bristol, Lady Chatwick, has plenty of suitors vying for her hand...and her fortune. But a letter from a long-lost love sends Daisy and her young son to her Scottish Highland estate to buy time for his return. Along the way she encounters the powerful Cailean Mackenzie, laird of Arrandale and a notorious smuggler, and she is utterly — though unwillingly — bewitched.

Cailean has no use for any Sassenach in his glen. But Daisy’s brazen, flirtatious nature and alluring beauty intrigue him. When her first love appears unexpectedly at her estate, Cailean knows that a passionate woman like Daisy cannot marry this man. And to prevent the union, Cailean must put his own life at risk to win her heart.

Claiming His Highland Bride - Terri Brisbin

Discovering her role in her father’s plot to destroy another clan, Sorcha MacMillan risks her life to go into hiding. Her safety relies on her disguise, but she is drawn to a man who could see through her...

Unknown to Sorcha, Alan Cameron has been sent to track her down. He’s attracted to the woman in disguise. Even discovering her true identity, he can’t overcome his instinct to protect her. No matter the danger, he will keep Sorcha safe...and claim her as his bride!

Claimed By The Scot - Julia London

Widowed and forced to remarry in three years’ time or forfeit her son’s inheritance, Daisy Bristol, Lady Chatwick, has plenty of suitors vying for her hand...and her fortune. But a letter from a long-lost love sends Daisy and her young son to her Scottish Highland estate to buy time for his return. Along the way she encounters the powerful Cailean Mackenzie, laird of Arrandale and a notorious smuggler, and she is utterly — though unwillingly — bewitched.

Cailean has no use for any Sassenach in his glen. But Daisy’s brazen, flirtatious nature and alluring beauty intrigue him. When her first love appears unexpectedly at her estate, Cailean knows that a passionate woman like Daisy cannot marry this man. And to prevent the union, Cailean must put his own life at risk to win her heart.

Claiming His Highland Bride - Terri Brisbin

Discovering her role in her father’s plot to destroy another clan, Sorcha MacMillan risks her life to go into hiding. Her safety relies on her disguise, but she is drawn to a man who could see through her...

Unknown to Sorcha, Alan Cameron has been sent to track her down. He’s attracted to the woman in disguise. Even discovering her true identity, he can’t overcome his instinct to protect her. No matter the danger, he will keep Sorcha safe...and claim her as his bride!

A heart-pounding, high-stakes, high-adrenalin relentless blast of an action-packed thriller, from Gabriel Bergmoser. the bestselling author of The Hunted and The Caretaker.

 

After a year of searching, rogue ex-cop Jack Carlin has finally found his estranged daughter, Morgan, holed up in the top floor of a rundown, grimy high-rise building. The trouble is, Jack's unconventional policing and information-gathering methods in the past has made him some serious enemies. And what Jack doesn't know as he heads into the building, intent on saving his daughter, is firstly, that Morgan doesn't want to be saved - particularly not by him - and secondly, that the entire criminal underworld in the city are on their way too... There's a bounty on his head, and they're after his blood - and they don't mind if Morgan is collateral damage.

As bounty hunters and gang members converge on the building, father and daughter are thrown into a desperate fight for survival through fifteen storeys of deadly enemies - with only each other to rely on. Think: Die Hard meets The Raid, but the funnier, grittier Australian version. Fast, furious and ferocious, this is thriller writing at its nail-biting, unputdownable best.

The go-to book for parents wanting help with that talk has now been updated for the 10th anniversary edition.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2016 CHILDREN'S BOOK COUNCIL BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS

 

It's one of the most amazing stories ever told -- and it's true!

Funny, frank, embarrassment-free and updated for the 10th anniversary edition, THE AMAZING TRUE STORY OF HOW BABIES ARE MADE gives a fresh take on the incredible tale of where we all come from.

REVIEWS:

'If you're looking for a book for children that's accessible but honest, sex positive and inclusive, THE AMAZING TRUE STORY OF HOW BABIES ARE MADE is pretty much perfect.' -- Child Magazine

'Common sense, facts, the delightful humour and illustrations will enable this book to be universally accessible and a joy to be shared. A must buy for all parents.' -- Buzzword Books

'Highly recommended ... a necessary addition to every parent library' -- ReadPlus.com.au

'It's the inclusive nature of the book as well as its light touches of humour that make it a worthy update of a perennially interesting subject' -- Sydney Morning Herald

'terrific, funny and explicit-in-a-good-way ... Destined to become a classic.' -- Weekend West

Smart about social trends and slyly funny… naughtily subverting the Richard Osman formula' The Times

 

‘Tense, clever and bitingly observed. Superb’ Claire Douglas

‘You won’t know who to trust in this tense, twisty delight of a thriller – with a wonderfully compelling narrator who discovers that trying to do the right thing can sometimes go very, very wrong' TM Logan, author of The Daughter and The Holiday

‘Brilliantly crafted with characters that will move into your mind, and stay with you in all the very best ways. Sensationally entertaining, I could not put it down’ Adele Parks

*****

Her secrets will be the death of you.

It’s rare for a room in beautiful, iconic Columbia Mansions to be up for grabs and Gwen is thrilled when its new occupant Pixie turns out to be the most delightful neighbour she could have wished for. Before long the two women have formed an unlikely age-gap friendship and Gwen is making herself useful to Pixie in all kinds of ways.

But when a crime comes to light Gwen’s protective instincts go into overdrive, igniting an appetite for revenge that none of the residents are prepared for.

The last thing they need in Columbia Mansions is a scandal.

The last thing they want is a murder.

*****

Praise for A Neighbour's Guide to Murder

'Candlish spins a taut, deliciously twisted tale with sting after sting… Just brilliant' John Marrs

‘Louise Candlish has a gift for examining hotly topical issues with intelligence, wit, and a keen eye for observational detail. A Neighbour’s Guide to Murder is a smartly constructed psychological thriller with a wicked twist in the tale. Flawless!’ Lucy Clarke

‘A terrific story, witty, engaging and a total page-turner’ Liz Nugent

'A whip-smart, razor-sharp domestic thriller… a fiendishly twisty plot. Gwen is my new obsession!' Isabelle Broom

‘A brilliant mess-with-your-mind slow burn thriller. Louise is a master manipulator and this is not to be missed’ Nikki Smith

'Louise Candlish excels at issue-led plots. A clever “through the keyhole” take on neighbours' Jane Corry

'Meticulously plotted with twists and turns aplenty. It's a truly addictive read' Hannah Beckerman

‘A masterclass of wit and thrills. We devoured it!’ Heat

Readers give A Neighbour's Guide to Murder five stars!

'Another head spinning , twisting turning domestic thriller from the Queen of the genre'

'A razor sharp, cleverly written, riveting thriller. I devoured this in a day'

'I couldn’t stop reading! I was on the edge of my seat with all the twists and turns. My favourite Louise Candlish so far'

'A fantastic book with a hilariously witty narrator …highly recommend'

'This book will demand all your attention, It is gripping, fast paced and brilliant'

Author of the bestselling and much-loved At the Foot of the Cherry Tree, Alli Parker, returns with another engrossing and moving novel of courage and conviction, Until the Red Leaves Fall.

 

Emmy Darling has a secret. She has a few. Her lemon meringue pie is a recipe from a women's magazine, she's always wanted to be a playwright, and the best parts of her husband Sebastian's plays are the scenes she's written during edits. But when charismatic theatre impresario and leading lady, Virginia van Belle, insists Emmy write about her wartime experiences as the lead play in her 1957 season, Emmy is faced with every writer's dilemma.

Because Emmy's biggest secret is that her name is actually Emiko Tanaka. She and her Japanese-Australian family were arrested, brutally split up and held in internment camps by the Australian government after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. And it's this secret that Virginia wants to bring to the masses.

As Emmy struggles to determine where the edges of truth and fiction blur, Virginia's vision of the story morphs into something more sensationalised. Emmy can't ask for Sebastian's help - he has his own history with Virginia - but she confides in Isadora Westlake, a dancer at a nearby coffee lounge, who knows a thing or two about keeping secrets.

As opening night looms and rewrites threaten to transform Emmy's personal history into something unrecognisable, wounds of the past are torn open, jeopardising everything Emmy holds dear. As the cast take their places and the curtain goes up, Emmy must decide which is right: tell the story or tell the truth.

From barbed-wire fences to the lush velvet seats of the Belleview Theatre, Until the Red Leaves Fall is a stunning tale of secrets and betrayal in the aftermath of war that asks: what happens when you let the truth get in the way of a good story?

Calling all cat lovers! This perfectly giftable board book has fun with opposites in a colorful rhyming read-aloud.

Hi cat, bye cat.

Sad cat, glad cat.

Small cat, big cat.

This funny cat-centric board book by Jade Orlando is the purrfect rhyming read-aloud for teaching opposites. The lively text begs for repeat reading, and children will love spotting details in the vibrant art. With sleepy cats on the closing spread, Hi, Cat. Bye, Cat. is great for bedtime or anytime! 

Product Details

• ISBN: 9780063310490
• ISBN 10: 006331049X
• Imprint: HarperCollins US
• On Sale: 29/07/2025
• Pages: 24
• List Price: 19.99 AUD
• Age: From 0 years
• Age: To 2 years

BISAC1: JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Cats

Featuring children’s own words and heart-warming pictures, this is the perfect book for children to share with Grandpa!

 

‘I love my grandpa because… ‘

Everyone’s grandpa is the best. And who better to tell the world than children themselves?

This charming book combines endearing things said by children about their grandpas with gentle illustrations of familiar animals. The text is amusing and insightful, with reasons why grandpas are loved by their children ranging from ‘because he says funny things’ to ‘because he makes every day special’.

With beautiful pictures and charming words from children – this is the perfect book to read together!

Cyril Avery is not a real Avery. At least, that's what his parents make sure to remind him. Adopted as a baby, he feels more and more disconnected with the family that treats him more as a curious pet, rather than a beloved son.

So, as a young adult, Cyril decides to embark on a quest to find his place in the world. Sometimes misguided and often in the wrong place at the wrong time, life has dealt him a difficult hand but Cyril is resolute that he can change things, and find the courage to be himself.

And in doing so, his story will come across that of Catherine Goggin, a young, pregnant woman finding herself alone and isolated at only sixteen. There is a place in the world for both of them, and Cyril is determined to find it.

A vibrant adventure in a book! With its rhythmic storyline, this classic charms little ones by introducing them to the world of baby animals.

The clear and engaging narrative is signature Mem Fox - perfect for first-time readers - while the vivid 'paper art' illustrations spark imaginations, echoing the whimsical style of Eric Carle.

Met detective Eden Driscoll never wanted a child, but when his estranged sister vanishes from her sailboat, he is asked to look after her son Finn – the nephew he hadn’t even known existed.

Resettled in the seaside town of Teignmouth, Eden adjusts to his newfound parenthood. Then Finn disappears from school, and Eden knows something is dreadfully wrong.

When Eden's sister's body is finally found, floating in the sea, local police rule her death an accident, but Eden isn’t convinced. She was an experienced sailor and would never sail without a life jacket. Eden starts searching his sister’s life for answers, and what he discovers changes everything.

It’s Easter with a twist in this hilarious mix-up of eggs with legs and hot cross BUMS…
Easter is a SPRINGY time of year!
But SOMETHING doesn’t look right here . . .

Spring into Easter with this laugh-out-loud journey through all things eggs, rabbits and chocolate – but with a twist! An Easter Bunny on a Space Hopper? Eggs with legs? A hot cross BUM? That’s not right!

With hilarious illustrations throughout from Lee Cosgrove, this silly seasonal story is bound to have kids hopping with delight!

Simply add water to bring eggs and springtime animals magically to life.
Filled with simple, black-and white images of decorative eggs with bunnies, chicks and other Eastery friends. Just use the brush provided to sweep water over the designs and watch as spring colours magically appear! Great for keeping little ones busy and helping with brush control skills. Simply tuck the waterproof back flap under each page as it's painted, to stop water from seeping through to the rest of the book.

Never forget your Adopt Me journey with this official game journal.
This guided journal is a must-have companion to the game all about adopting cute pets, decorating your house, and playing with friends!

Profile your pets, track your trades and unlock the inspiration to master the magical world of Adopt Me! Includes activities, colouring and drawing space to be creative.

The perfect gift for fans of the popular game, Adopt Me!

Outback Queensland (QLD) contains mapping and visitor information for one of the most iconic regions in Australia. Mapping at a scale of 1:1,500,000 covers from the inland borders to Toowoomba in the east and Charters Towers in the north, with hill shading and elevation tinting creating a more realistic interpretation of the landscape within the region.

Marked on the map are:

• points of interest
• camping areas
• caravan parks
• Fuel
• Key touring routes. 

Accompanying the mapping is extensive visitor information for the Channel Country, Matilda Country and the Overlanders Way, with a town and locality index in addition to necessary contact details covering the majority of information for touring the region. Also included are maps of Bladensburg, Idalia, Currawinya, Diamantina and Carnarvon Gorge national parks.

 

Key Features

• GPS surveyed roads & tracks
• National parks
• Camping areas
• Fuel Stops

Key touring routes

The fourth edition of Hema’s Tasmania State Map features Hema’s distinctive and informative maps fully, all of which have been field checked by Hema’s Map Patrol to ensure the best possible accuracy with the latest mapping data. 

A fully indexed state map of Tasmania (TAS) at a scale of 1:500,000. Marked on the mapping are national parks, fuel locations as well as camping and rest areas. 

The reverse side consists of:

• a summary of the key things to see and do broken up into the North West, Launceston, Tamar and the North
• a table listing of National Parks and Reserves with key features and facilities (such as Camping and Caravan sites, BBQ, toilets and showers)
• Visitor centre listing
• Map of the area around Zeehan and Queenstown at 1:250,000 scale (including Lake St Claire and Franklin-Gordon Rivers National Parks)
• Map of Freycinet National Park at 1:125,000 scale
• Map of Southwest National Park at 1:200,000 scale
• Map of Hobart & Region at 1:250,000 scale (including petrol stations, information centres and rest stops marked)

Tasmania is located off the southeast corner of mainland Australia. It is Australia's smallest state in terms of both size and population, yet is a major tourist attraction due to the diverse and spectacular scenery, unspoilt wilderness, fantastic food and wine and heritage and cultural sites.

 

Key Features

• Fully updated and indexed primary Map of Tasmania at a scale of 1:500,000 and showing national parks, fuel locations as well as campsites and caravan parks
• Detailed maps of the Zeehan and Region (including Lake St Clair and Franklin-Gordon Rivers National Park), Freycinet National Park, Southwest National Park and Hobart & Region
• Complete list of Tasmanian Visitor Information Centres
• Table showing Tasmania’s National Parks and Reserves with key features and facilities

Summary of the key things to see in Tasmania broken up by region.