New Releases by Margaret Wild

In the heart of the forest lived the robber girl. She had fierce eyes, fierce hair and a fierce knife strapped across her chest. Ever since she was small, she had lived in a cave with her three companions: an old bear, a lame wolf, and a weary owl. The robber girl kept away as much as possible from the farmers who lived on the edge of the forest. And the farmers shunned her, not even the bravest of them daring to enter the heart of the forest. No one knew her history, or how she''d come to be in the forest .... ABOUT THE AUTHOR Margaret Wild''s books are loved and applauded by both children and adults world-wide. Her richly crafted stories have many times won Australian and international awards and are loved for their sensitive, affectionate characterisation, and astute observation. Among Margaret''s award winning collaborations are her touching picture books, The Very Best of Friends, and the acclaimed Let the Celebrations Begin, both illustrated by Julie Vivas and with Ron Brooks the warm and moving Old Pig and Rosie and Tortoise, a tenderly child -centred story about the arrival of a new baby. The Midnight Gang, illustrated by Ann James, was not only celebrated as an honour book in the Children''s Book Council of Australia''s Book of the Years Awards, but also won the picture book category of every children''s choice award in the country. Miss Lily''s Fabulous Pink Feather Boa, illustrated by Kerry Argent and Bim Bam Boom! Illustrated by Wayne Harris, display the diversity of Wild''s remarkable story-telling ability. The Illustrator As well as being one of Australia''s most acclaimed illustrators, Donna Rawlins is also an award-winning book designer, author and editor. Her best-known works are Tucking Mummy In, written by Morag Loh, and the brilliant My Place, written by Nadia Wheatley, which has won a number of awards, including the Children''s Book Council of Australia''s Younger Readers award. Donna is renowned for her warm, vivid illustrations of young children and their daily lives. Her titles include The Kinder Hat by Morag Loh, Jeremy''s Tail written by Duncan Ball, and the rich fantasy, Digging to China, which Donna both wrote and illustrated. Donna''s most recent book is Douglas Little''s fascinating Ten Little Know Facts About Hippopotamuses . which she edited and co-illustrated with her husband, David Francis. Donna Rawlins and Margaret Wild''s first book together was My Dearest Dinosaur. SELLING POINTS * Award winning experts at the art of making picture books. * Age 7+ * A sensitive and beautifully crafted story of friendship, of daring to be different, of living outside the comfort zone and of acceptance. * Rich illustrations to stimulate the imagination''s of children and adults alike. * Great for the gift market.

The cheeky babies from The Midnight Gang are back! The simple storyline by award-winning author, Margaret Wild ensures this book is perfectly tuned to babies and toddlers'' attention spans. Ann James''s winsome illustrations are sure to delight in this charming romp of a story.

Rosie the hare is afraid to hold her premature baby brother because he seems so fragile until their father tells her a special story about a tortoise and a hare.

This is the popular story and counting book featuring zoo animals, thunder and lightning. The author and illustrator are both highly-regarded and have won many awards. Bim Bam Boom features fabulous animal illustrations and a fun way for children to learn to count. The text is designed to be read aloud.

Two young sisters and their grandmother share their dreams.

Although she may forget many things, Ellie''s Grandma remembers all the special times the two of them have shared.

A fearful boy confronts his biggest fear--the class bully.

When his knitting companion, Mrs. Jolley, who rides with him every day on the train into the city, becomes ill, Mr. Nick finds a way to cheer her up.

Granny is more enthusiastic about the different activities at the fair than the two children who take her.

When Toby the dog gets old and sick and finally dies, the children who love him express their love in different ways.

Picture fiction for older readers.

While waiting to leave the hospital, Hugo discovers a way to travel with exotic animals to faraway lands.

Using the journey to school, the story highlights road safety for pedestrians.

Story highlights the road safety messages for safe play.

A little girl becomes Santa''s pen pal throughout the course of one year and learns some interesting facts about polar animals.

A mother dinosaur speaks to her absent mate, describing how she and her newly hatched babies are staying alive while he hunts for a safer place for them all to live.

Kate has big brown eyes - all the better to see with. But she doesn''t know what other people can see, and no one thinks to ask her exactly what she can see, until one day on a crowded beach. This is a story about family life and what it''s like to need glasses.

Picture book exploring the subject of homelessness, with young Zac making a space-travelling fantasy of his and his mother''s makeshift sleeping arrangements in a playground rocket.

Samantha''s thank you letter to Santa is the beginning of a warm and unusual friendship.

Paperback edition of a children''s book first published in 1990. Cheerful, illustrated story of a new boy on the block who has a cubbyhouse full of treasures and fitted out with the latest technology.

Australian writer.

When his father shaves off his big and bushy beard, it is up to Nicholas to find a new home for the robin, mouse, and baby possum who had been living in the beard.