New Releases by Diane Lucas

I didn''t come to Thornridge to play detective. I came to escape-my past, my responsibilities, the endless nagging voice in my head telling me to "be reasonable." But this house? It has other plans. First, there''s the piano that seems to play itself when no one''s looking, as if the walls are trying to hum a forgotten tune. Then there''s Julian-the maddeningly mysterious man with secrets buried deeper than the layers of dust on the family portraits. And let''s not forget Eleanor, the woman who''s been gone for years but still manages to haunt every shadowed corner of this crumbling estate. When I stumble upon a cache of old letters hidden in the fireplace, I realize I''ve walked into more than a renovation project. There''s something dark here, lurking beneath the surface-memories that refuse to rest, secrets that bite harder than the winter wind. And somehow, I''m at the center of it all. I''d love to tell you I''m handling it with grace, but let''s be real: I''m just trying not to fall off the edge. Literally.

A breathtaking encounter with the magnificent rock country of Australia''s iconic Kakadu National Park, from the highly acclaimed creators of Walking in Gagudju Country: Exploring the Monsoon Forest. It''s yekke, early dry season. Kundenge karrire kunwarddehwardde. Let''s walk the rock country. Wardi karribolknan, let''s see what we can see in Gagudju, Kakadu. Ben Tyler and Diane Lucas share stories, knowledge and their love of the land on a walk through one of Australia''s most ancient and beautiful ecosystems, introducing Kundjeyhmi language, one of the Bininj Kunwok languages of Kakadu and western Arnhem Land, along the way. Look into these lush green bushes. We might find something ... There is alyurr! Kakkak Kapindi, my mother''s mother, told us alyurr are the Lightning people''s children. When the rains begin, they come out of the soil. As they grow, they shed their skins and their bright colours are revealed. Soon they will find a mate. Emma Long''s detailed and beautifully rendered images bring to vivid life the rich and varied plant and animal life of this unique place, encouraging young and old to see, hear, smell and feel the land and experience how Aboriginal people have lived and walked Country for thousands of years. From the creators of Walking in Gagudju Country: Exploring the Monsoon Forest, CBCA shortlisted for the 2022 Eve Pownall Award and the New Illustrator Award: ''This information-laden book, complete with glossary, brims with life, beauty and magic. It is a delightful read for primary school children.'' Books+Publishing ''Allows young readers to learn as they enjoy, this is a story that encourages respect for and harmony with nature.'' Readings Booksellers

When we go walking, we never know how long we will be, what we will hear and what we will see. We pack our bags with food and water, a billy and some matches to light a fire. We head off into the shady monsoon forest on the edge of the billabong. Diane Lucas, Ben Tyler and Emma Long share their knowledge and love of the Top End in this enchanting and accessible book about one of Australia''s most ancient and beautiful ecosystems. ''This information-laden book, complete with glossary, brims with life, beauty and magic. It is a delightful read for primary school children.'' Books+Publishing

A beautiful telling of the Christmas nativity story through the eyes of the women who may have come to help Mary give birth to Jesus.

''One wet season day, during my first year living in Kakadu, I was sheltering in a cave with some friends. An old man was telling stories of his youth and country. I remember saying to him, I''d like to walk around the bush for a full year and see and feel the changes each season brings. He replied, Well, go do it!'' Join Diane Lucas and Ken Searle as they walk through the bush of northern Australia. Follow the seasonal calendar of the Gundjeihmi-speaking people of Kakadu. Feel the changes each season brings to the plants, animals and birds of this rich and inspiring land. ''This is a story that has got to be told to children so they know country - no good just sitting in the classroom all day. You''ve got to get outside and discover the bush, feel the changes, see what''s there.'' from a group of Gundjeihmi-speaking people of the Murrumburr clan