New Releases by Ursula Dubosarsky

This beautiful full-colour book is a compilation of Honey and Bear and Special Days with Honey and Bear, reproduced in a B format. The ten short stories are exquisitely illustrated by the talented Ron Brooks, and each capture a small moment in the lives of these animal friends. In Honey and Bear - the silver-eyed bird and the cuddly, rotund bear - Ursula Dubosarsky has created characters that children will love, in the tradition of Winnie the Pooh, and Frog and Toad. The tales are the perfect length for beginner readers to attempt themselves, or to read aloud to younger children.

In this uproarious update of a favorite story, an unexplained noise leads to pandemonium among the animals. The fox, the elephant, even the big brown bear prove no match for the Terrible Plop. Only the littlest bunny learns not to panic when the sky—or something else up there—is falling. Bright, energetic illustrations and a lively rhyming text combine to make this a perfect read-aloud story for little ones needing assurance that plops in the day or bumps in the night aren''t as scary as they might seem.

Becky has the best ideas for cubby houses. She can''t wait to show the new little girl next door!

A psychological thriller, a desperately moving and ultimately uplifting tale of childhood innocence. . . As small children, growing up at the property called Abyssinia, two sisters played with their dolls house together, side by side, always. Grace loved Mary and Mary loved Grace. But inseparable bonds can be unexpectedly shattered. When this happens to Grace, she is plunged into a dark and mesmerising world, a world full of bells and the ringing sky, of odd little children, strange events and frighteningly bizarre grown ups. ''. . . wonderfully atmospheric. . . brilliantly evokes the often-shadowy place of childhood. . .'' -The Age ''Ursula Dubosarsky is the most graceful, most original writer for young people in Australia - probably in the world.'' - Sonya Hartnett

Tibby feels like everything is going wrong. Her big brother Clarence is all grown up, and doesn’t want to play with her any more. If Clarence says there aren’t any pixies except in books, then what exactly did Tibby see in the bush, peering out from behind a leaf? Ursula Dubosarsky has created a charming story inspired by a postcard of gumnut fairies. It is set in Australia at the time of the First World War and touches on the changes that affected most families as the young men went off to fight.

In her hand was a hinged wooden box with a black clasp. On the lid was a painting of a white bird with a long neck, its wings stretched out in flight. Fred rubbed it with her fingers, wiping away the dust. ''The Game of the Goose,'' she read slowly. ''Open it,'' said Rowley . . . Fred, Rowley and Rabbit hardly knew each other before the game. But the game changed everything. It took each of them on an adventure – a terrifying, wonderful journey that they would remember for ever.

Becky is fed up with her little brother trailing after her. With a swish of her newly discovered magic wand, her brother disappears-and a mysterious black cat appears! Where did he go? And how is Becky going to explain this to her mother? Grades 1-3

Students take turns bringing home the class chameleon and writing about how he spent his visit.

Theodora is fourteen when her father Elkanah has a mysterious vision. Soon after, he leaves his family and goes to live with his first wife Pearl. It is up to Theodora and her half-brother Samuel to bring him back. Meanwhile, Samuel''s grandfather Elias is dying, and Theodora begins to see a black cat that could not possibly be real. As present-day events collide with stories from a distant past, the world begins to seem a more complex place, full of uncertainty, great wonder and inspiration.

Children''s comic adventure story for younger readers. Isador''s best friend Lulu discovers that she is not really an orphan but that her parents are still alive somewhere. But how will she find them? Together with Isador''s Dad, the adventurers set off on a sea voyage, braving pirates, sharks and strange island-dwellers. Third book in the Isador Brown trilogy, which also includes ''The Strange Adventures of Isador Brown'' and ''The Even Stranger Adventures of Isador Brown''.

Humorous novel for 10 to 14 year olds. Someone starts to follow Claudie''s father and so she embarks on a mission to protect him. Author''s other publications include ''High Hopes'' and ''Black Sails, White Sails''.

While on holiday at the old convent where her mother lived as a child, a letter arrives and Phyllis is led back on a frightening journey to 1938, but in so doing she begins to understand more about the past, and in particular her mother''s childhood.

Novel for young adults telling of the relationship between two lonely girls. Deals with the themes of deception and the random nature of fate. The author''s other publications include ''High Hopes'' and ''The White Guinea Pig''.

Novel for children aged 9 to 14. Great Aunt Ilma insists that 12-year-old Bruno learn to play a cumbersome medieval instrument, the crumhorn. Bruno doesn''t have the courage to say no, but he finds that his crumhorn lessons lead to unexpected new experiences. The award-winning author''s other publications include ''The White Guinea-Pig'' and ''High Hopes''.

Literature Circles Year 7.

An eleven-year-old Australian girl feels terribly guilty about something she did three years ago when her English relatives were visiting--and now they are returning!

Samuel will nicht mit seinem Vater von Australien in die USA ziehen. An seinem 12. Geburtstag verschwindet er. Dabei gerät er in Lebensgefahr. Ab 14.