Picture Books Guaranteed to Spark Joy

Dugong Magic - Deborah Kelly, Lisa Stewart

A beautiful and thought-provoking picture book about dugongs - the mysterious creatures who were once mistaken for mermaids. Deborah's Kelly's beautiful, lyrical writing brings these animals to life, and highlights the dangers they face, inspiring young readers to care for and protect our natural world. Lisa Stewart's gorgeous illustrations capture the beauty of these gentle and endangered creatures.

Take Heart, Take Action - Beci Orpin

A reminder for everyone, young and old, that you can make a positive impact on today's world. From saving water and protecting nature to having gratitude, here are twenty conversation starters to remind us we have the power to make our Earth a better place. Renowned Australian illustrator, Beci Orpin, created this book for anyone who wants to create a more openhearted and sustainable world.

The Patchwork Bike - Maxine Beneba Clarke, Van T Rudd

When you live in a village at the edge of the No-Go Desert, you need to make your own fun. That's when you and your brothers get inventive and build a bike from scratch, using everyday items like an old milk pot (maybe mum is still using it, maybe not) and a used flour sack. You can even make a numberplate from bark, if you want. The end result is a spectacular bike, perfect for going bumpity-bump over sandhills, past your fed-up mum and right through your mud-for-walls home. A delightful story from multi-award-winning author Maxine Beneba Clarke, beautifully illustrated by street artist Van T Rudd.

The Ultimate Animal Counting Book - Jennifer Cossins

Join CBCA Award-winner Jennifer Cossins on an expedition through the animal kingdom, counting one to 100 and collecting fascinating animal facts along the way. Discover the colour of a zebra's skin under its stripes, how a tapir uses its nose as a snorkel when it swims, and that cranes are famous for their dancing! Beautifully illustrated with full-colour pictures of animals great and small, from all over the world - from the familiar wombat and sea turtle to the unusual gerenuk and caracal – The Ultimate Animal Counting Book is an utter delight.

Fashionista - Maxine Beneba Clarke

This is a beautiful picture book written and illustrated by Maxine Beneba Clarke - all about the power of expressing yourself. Put on your passion. Flaunt your heart on your sleeve. You're a fashionista. Work it. Wear it. Believe. A gorgeous book for anyone who wants to embrace their individuality

Giraffes Can't Dance - Giles Andreae, Purple Enterprises Ltd, Guy Parker-Rees, Yug Creations Ltd

Gerald the giraffe longs to go to the great Jungle Dance, but how can he join in when he doesn't know how to tango or two-step? Everyone knows that giraffes can't dance ... or can they? A funny, touching and triumphant story about being yourself and finding your own tune, GIRAFFES CAN'T DANCE has been a family favourite for 20 years.

The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Ugly Animals - Sami Bayly

With more than sixty ugly animals to explore, this compendium of the unusual celebrates the beauty in 'ugliness'. Children and adults alike will pore over the breathtaking scientific illustrations of unusual animals, debating their relative ugliness and merits, learning about science and nature along the way. Featuring illustrations and facts about the thorniest species the animal kingdom has to offer, from the naked mole rat to the goblin shark, aye-aye, sphinx cat, blobfish and many more 'ugly' beauties. This gorgeous hardcover book is illustrated in exquisite detail by exciting new Australian talent, Sami Bayly.

My Unicorn Farts Glitter - Suzanne Barton, Shannon Horsfall

An irreverent, playful tale about a stinky, loud, messy - but lovable - unicorn, and all the trouble he gets up to, for fans of Lauren Child and Aaron Blabey. My unicorn is an icky, sticky disaster area, from his silly, sparkly horn to his polka dot bottom. But despite the stink, the sneezes and snores, I love him loads and he loves me more. MY UNICORN FARTS GLITTER is a funny, warm-hearted and often painfully honest tale of sibling love and farty bath-times.

No! Never! - Libby Hathorn, Lisa Hathorn-Jarman, Mel Pearce

Georgie is a sweet little girl who always makes her parents happy... until she discovers one powerful phrase: No! Never! It suddenly becomes her answer to every request, from tidying up her toys to going to bed. Her parents are at their wits end, but what happens when they decide to try saying No! Never! themselves? A lovely, lively look at the Terrible Twos (or Threes, or Fours, or Fives...) from mother-daughter team Libby Hathorn and Lisa Hathorn-Jarman, with debut illustrator Mel Pearce. Perfect for any parent dealing with tantrums, defiant behaviour or communication issues.

Miss Franklin - Libby Hathorn, Phil Lesnie

This is a fascinating story about iconic Australian writer Stella Miles Franklin, one of Australian literature’s most significant women, during her brief but formative time as a governess in rural New South Wales. Teenager Stella Miles Franklin has to work to help support her family. Stella is unhappy in her job and longs for the freedom and excitement of city life. While working, she meets a young orphan girl, Imp, who is almost as feisty as Stella herself, and who spurs the older girl to follow her dreams. Inspired by events in Miles Franklin's life, MISS FRANKLIN is told by multi-award-winning author Libby Hathorn and acclaimed illustrator Phil Lesnie, and includes a facts page about Stella Miles Franklin.