New Releases by Margaret Wild

A powerful tale about a child, a golden eagle and a forgotten promise from the author of the children's classic Fox, illustrated by the beloved creator of Mutt Dog. One day, Ella and her little brother Leif found a fledgling with a broken wing. They took him home, wrapped and fed him, and watched over him for seven days and seven nights. In time Golden Eagle was well enough to fly away, but he loved the children, so he promised to stay with them at the edge of the dark forest. Until one day, the wind whispered and the breeze caressed his feathers, and Golden Eagle forgot his promise ... An unforgettable tale about love, nature and forgiveness, suitable for readers of Fox or The Duck and the Darklings from two of Australia's most-celebrated picture book creators.

'Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul'--Emily Dickinson This is a story about hope, kindness and redemption set in a grey dystopian world. When a great feather drifts from the leaden sky, two children recognise its extraordinariness and take it to the village for its protection. The villagers, however, want to encase it, upon which the feather loses its radiance. The children take it home and care for it through the night. In the morning it is again radiant, and when they set it free it leaves behind the first signs of blue sky and colour. The ambiguous ending invites multiple interpretations about the effects of selflessness and kindness.

This is the last time I'll fish in this river. This is the last time I'll run through these trees. This is the last time I'll dream by this fire ... Goodbye, old house. Goodbye. A heartwarming story of letting go and starting anew, of moving from the country to the city, with a unique illustration style that allows room and space for the reader's imagination. Hello, new house. Hello!

When the speediest family in the world finds a sweet, slow sloth on their doorstep, they take him in. But, little do they know, their new pet has quite a bit to teach them. For Amy’s family, there simply aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. Mom rushes through her work. Dad rushes through his chores. Even little Amy rushes through dinner. But Sloth does things slowly. He likes to take long, leisurely baths with lots and lots of bubbles. He plays drawn-out, imaginative games. He eats his food slowly, enjoying one small bite at a time. After a few weeks of caring for their new pet, Amy’s family finds that they actually do have enough time to tell one another stories or go for long walks together after dinner—so long as they stop rushing around so much. The Sloth Who Slowed Us Down is a celebration of slowing down and remembering the important things in life.

A playful take on the traditional 'This Little Piggy' nursery rhyme that will delight young children; perfect for parents to read aloud. Now in a board book format.

Hush! All over the world, little ones everywhere are going to sleep. Sweet dreams!

'My daddy said, On the day you were born, I wrapped you up warm and took you for a walk to see the world . . . 'My daddy said, On the day you were born, I put you back in your mother's arms, and that night we were the world.' A celebration of the glories of existence, the world seen afresh on the birth of a new baby.

It is the summer of 1868, and Sherlock Holmes is fourteen. On break from boarding school, he is staying with eccentric strangers - his uncle and aunt - in their vast house in Hampshire. When two local townspeople die from symptoms that resemble the plague, Holmes begins to investigate what really killed them, helped by his new tutor, an American named Amyus Crowe. So begins Sherlock's true education in detection, as he discovers the dastardly crimes of a brilliantly sinister villain of exquisitely malign intent.

Once upon a time there was a little wooden duck that sat on the windowsill of Annie's bedroom. Every day Annie picked up the little green duck and stroked it, wishing it could see and hear and speak to her. But the little green wooden duck continued to sit silently on the windowsill, until one day something quite miraculous happened. The Miracle of the Little Wooden Duck is an evocative modern day fairytale about the power of love and hope to transform our lives by two of Australia's best- known picture book creators.

Baby Bird loves his blankie. But when it comes to bedtime Baby Bird would rather play than sleep.

Old Pig and Granddaughter have lived together for a long, long time. They share everything, including the chores, until the day when Old Pig does not get up as usual for breakfast. Calmly she pays her bills and puts her affairs in order. Then she takes Granddaughter on a last, long walk - looking and listening, smelling and tasting. Old Pig and Granddaughter say goodbye to each other in the best way they know. 'One of the truly great picture books.' Margaret Dunkle, Australian Bookseller and Publisher 'This heartbreaking, gentle, perfectly indirect story about the last days on earth of an elderly pig offers a better introduction to the fact and poetry of mortality than many a more studied attempt.' Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker 'Wild's poignant story about the death of Old Pig is full of warmth and, yes, joy.' Publishers Weekly 'Beautiful in its simplicity, this captures the essence of a life; and children, even little ones, cannot help but feel the love that infuses it.' Ilene Cooper, Booklist 'A poignant but sidelong look at death - about as far from the didactic tomes as one can get.' Kirkus Reviews 'A tender meditation on the death and the appreciation of love and life that deserves to become recognised as a modern classic.' Kevin Mark, Kairos 'This book is about living, not dying.' Linnet Hunter, The Age

Gabe is the best looking guy in school—that’s why his friends send him to get girls to their party. Helen is not much to look at—that’s why her friends want her to come along. But Helen gets under Gabe’s skin in a way no other girl has. It was one night. One night with lasting consequences. Now Helen has to decide if she wants to keep the baby—and if she should tell Gabe, who hasn’t spoken to her since their one night together. Filled with love, fear, and the tough choices born of casual acts, One Night is a passionate and compellingly readable novel about teen life, the hardships of parenthood—and the joy and forgiveness between family and friends.

While Mum and Dad are working, Grandpa looks after Georgie. They read stories, plant flowers and play dress-ups. One day, Georgie says, 'Today I'm big and you're a baby. Okay?' 'Okay,' says Grandpa Baby. What will Georgie and Grandpa Baby get up to? Ages 2+.

When she was a baby, Ruby liked making popping noises with her dummy. 'Pop! Pop! Pop!' When she was older, she tried making scary noises instead. 'Scrrr! Screekle! Scrunch!' But she couldn't frighten anyone, not a frog, not a fish. 'Shivers!' thought Ruby. What was the scariest noise she could make? And she opened her mouth wide to find out...'Beware, this story could provoke a wild rumpus.'

In a mostly abandoned city, Ben lives in a musty basement room, terrified of the "woolvs" that dwell in the shadows outside, with only an upstairs neighbor, Mrs. Radinski, to help him cope with his fears.

When it is time for the geese to leave their pond and migrate, Lucy Goosey doesn't want to go.

Little Hare's parents worry that he has not yet learned to hop and gets around by bumping along on his bottom, but his grandfather is convinced that Little Hare will hop when he is good and ready.

Baby hippo is in such a hurry to play he forgets to kiss his mama but all the jungle noises remind him.

Based on the traditional nursery rhyme, this delightful new picture book comes with a twist. This is an inventive retelling of the crooked house rhyme from award-winning author Margaret Wild.

With the help of her understanding mother and a close friend, Jen eventually outgrows her nickname, Jinx, and deals with the deaths of two boys with whom she had been involved.

When Piglet cannot find her mother, all of the barnyard animals try to make her feel better, but Piglet wants nothing but Mama.

On Farmer Fred's farm there were four old animals - Cow, Horse, Pig and Donkey. They had never been anywhere, never seen anything - just the farm, just its fields. Then, on the night Cow died, something extraordinary began to happen. She grew big, beautiful wings. She soared over mountains, over rivers, over the sea. She would go everywhere, she would see everything. For the first time, Farmer Fred and the animals began to imagine life beyond the farm - and it was beautiful. This uplifting story combines sensitivity to an emotional issue with humour and pathos.

A playful story about growing up and finding friends.