New Releases by Victor Kelleher

Irian and Ulana and their clan have made the cave their home since they drove off the savage sabre-toothed tiger they know as the Beast, with fire granted to them by the Sky Spirit one wild stormy day. That fire has burned bright at the cave mouth for a long time, protecting them from the depredations of the Beast. But one dark night, that protection fails?and what happens then destroys the young people''s firelit world and drives them, wounded and traumatised, as far away from the cave as they can. But in a prehistoric landscape haunted by soft-footed predators who consider humans their prey, it is a dangerous undertaking. Then they meet a solitary, prickly old woman named Trug who has precious gifts of healing and fire, and plans that don''t necessarily include an injured girl and a boy who''s lost all power of speech. But with her somewhat reluctant agreement, Ulana and Irian join her on a journey that will not only take the two young people to very different worlds than the one they have known but also full circle, back to the cave, and unexpected revelations?An exciting story set in a richly-recreated Paleolithic past, this novel for middle-grade readers is both an extraordinary adventure and a moving exploration of loss, survival and courage.

Gibblewort is a nasty little goblin who loves playing horrible tricks on his friends and snacking on mothballs. But when he decides to mail himself to Australia for some sun, things begin to go very wrong. From being cuddled by an octopus at the bottom of the Great Barrier Reef to being nearly run over by city traffic, trouble follows Gibblewort wherever he goes This hilarious collection features three of Gibblewort''s most memorable adventures: "Goblin in the Bush," "Goblin on the Reef," and "Goblin in the City."

GOBLIN AT THE ZOO: When Gibblewort wakes up at the zoo, he thinks he''s in deepest, darkest Africa. So he squeezes his way into a nice, safe cage u only to find he''s become the object of affection for a female chimpanzee! Every time Gibblewort manages to escape her clutches, he finds himself being thrown, kicked, tossed, shaken and even electrocuted back into the chimps'' enclosure . . . and Daisy''s long hairy arms! How is everyone''s favourite nasty little goblin going to get out of this one? GOBLIN IN THE SNOW: Gibblewort the horrible Irish goblin is driving his goblin mates crazy, so they pack him off to Austria for a winter holiday, only at the last minute ''Austria'' becomes ''Australia'' and Gibblewort ends up in the Snowy Mountains in ski season. Speeding snowboards, giant snowballs, talking fish u everywhere Gibblewort goes, trouble is sure to follow!

Gibblewort is a nasty little goblin who loves playing horrible tricks on his friends and snacking on mothballs. But when he decides to mail himself to Australia for some sun, things begin to go very wrong. From being cuddled by an octopus at the bottom of the Great Barrier Reef to being nearly run over by city traffic, trouble follows Gibblewort wherever he goes This hilarious collection features three of Gibblewort''s most memorable adventures: "Goblin in the Bush," "Goblin on the Reef," and "Goblin in the City."

The great dome of the sky, black, star-sprinkled, arched above him, appearing at that moment so limitless, so vast and free, that the fences and cages of Taronga were dwarfed, reduced to the point where they barely seemed to exist . . . Every so often, there comes a story so brilliant and lively and moving that it cannot be left in the past. Rediscover the magic of our country''s most memorable children''s books in the Penguin Australia Children''s Classics series of stories too precious to leave behind.

When the label on his package home is smeared, Gibblewort the goblin finds himself lost in the city and in all sorts of trouble.

When Gibblewort''s friends get tired of his wicked ways, they send him back to Australia where he explores the Great Barrier Reef.

Gibblewort is a nasty little Irish goblin. One day he gets sick of the rain and damp of his homeland and decides to go to Australia instead. At first, he''s delighted with his new home, which is as sunny and dry as any goblin could hope for. But when he gets to know the local flora and fauna, he gets more than he bargains for and makes a hasty retreat back to Ireland where he feels safe and secure. The other goblins aren''t pleased to see him back and when gets really nasty, threaten to send him back to Oz.

Continuing his journey to find his way back home to Ireland, Gibblewort the goblin experiences a day at the beach in Australia.

When the nasty goblin Gibblewort wakes up at the zoo, he thinks he is in Africa, where a lovesick chimpanzee falls in love with him.

Jenny finds a big, egg-shaped thing down by the river. When she brings it home it hatches and out pops a baby dinosaur. It''s very hungry - and that''s when the problems start. A dinosaur is not the best animal to keep as a pet, as Jenny finds out!

When the mayor accuses Tim and his family of harbouring a dangerous animal, they can''t believe their ears. Surely their beloved pussy cat can''t really be a tiger? What will they do now?

"From the spiky Australian bush to the ski slopes of the Snowy Mountains to the rainforests of Far North Queensland - and everywhere in between - Gibblewort the goblin has blundered, crawled and whinged his way through Australia''s vast landscape. So surely a relaxing day somewhere in Australia would be possible. But wherever Gibblewort goes this vast land of ours remains his nemesis. Will he EVER get back home to rainy ol'' Ireland?"--Provided by publisher.

Where does God live? Peter asked. His big sister, Janet, pointed to the ceiling. Up there. D you mean in the attic? Peter wants to know where God lives, but no one seems to be able to give him an answer. He s looked everywhere; in the house, in the backyard, in the sky, but he can t see God anywhere. Not even the postie knows his address! When he decides to wander around his neighbourhood to try to find Him, Mrs Patel tells him that there s more than one god, and that confuses him even more! Where s God? is a humorous look at a boy trying to understand the concept of God.

Tony was given a gorilla suit for his birthday. He wears it everywhere, even to the zoo. Then he gets to meet the real gorillas and things get very complicated indeed.

Given to the Great Father on the night of his birth, Boy is reared by a dog in a village whose people barely tolerate him, despite signs that he is favored, then travels far, striving to find his rightful place in the brutal world of humans.

Gibblewort, the horrible Irish goblin is driving his goblin mates crazy. So they pack him off to Austria for a winter holiday. But at the last minute, they change the address on his postbag from ''Austria'' to ''Australia''. He''s coming here again! This time he''s headed for the Snowy Mountains in ski season. He''s soon battling speeding snowboards, angry brumbies, talking fish and hungry eagles. Everywhere Gibblewort goes, trouble follows. Can Gibblewort really become the snowboarding champion of Australia? 7 yrs+

The Grimes are a really grimy bunch. Yet they all seem happy enough. Until one day their dog, Rotten Rex, decides they''re too disgusting even for him. So he runs away...and that''s when their problems begin. Ages 6-9.

Spaceman Bill has been sent to Earth from Planet Zing on a special, secret mission. He must succeed to save Planet Zing. Suggested level: primary.

Gibblewort is excited when he crawls out of his postbag to find damp earth, falling rain and the sound of wind through the trees. He''s made it home to Ireland at last. Except it''s not Ireland, it''s the Australian rainforest. Gibblewort soon finds himself being stung, squeezed, sucked, nipped and pecked by all sorts of strange creatures.

Novel which revisits Mary Shelley''s ''Frankenstein'' to tell the previously untold story of Frankenstein''s ''bride'' who is cast into the sea. Madeleine Sauvage is born of the sea and her life is characterised by a search for her maker and would-be husband. Her search ends at the deathbed of Mary Shelley, where Madeleine confesses her life, her love, and her need for revenge. By the author of ''Into the Dark'' and ''The Ivory Trail''.

Nonsensical children''s picture book for younger readers. Billy loves baked beans and eats them constantly. When Mum gives him four huge helpings for his birthday treat, the consequences are both funny and surprising. Both author and illustrator have produced many children''s books.

Reissue of a novel for teenagers first published in the Viking imprint in 1999. 15-year-old Jamie Hassan has been chosen by a Sufi of old Alexandria to step into the realms of the dead and follow the ivory trail through four continents, six generations, and five diverse cultures. As a channeller, Jamie can speak to the dead and relive their lives, but will he deny his remarkable power? Award-winning author''s other publications include ''Taronga'', ''Slow Burn'' and ''Fire Dancer''.

Who are we, really, and what might we one day become?the seemingly endless war between humans and their robot creations is at a crossroads.A successful military commander, Michael Shaw, changes the stakes for both sides and the bitter conflict enters a new phase. But Michael compromises his career by taking in a Rob ''child'' who bears an uncanny resemblance to his lost daughter, Ellen.Inevitably, the child grows up, and the woman he calls his daughter reverts to her robotic origins. Michael is left with a terrible choice, a choice which leads father to track daughter through a war-torn land, and to question everything he has believed about himself and his world.Victor Kelleher is one of Australia''s finest writers. His books have won numerous awards, including the Ditmar Australian Science Achievement Award and the Peace Literature Award.

Futuristic novel for teenage readers. Nat is journeying to find his uncle, Jack Curtis, who reigns supreme in the Promised Land. The journey is challenging and dangerous, but promises the possibility of finding the truth and release. Prolific author''s previous titles include ''The Red King'' and adult novel ''Into the Dark''.

''What is it, Gran?'' Peter demanded, pulling urgently at her sleeve. ''What''s the matter?'' Meg didn''t answer. She was staring down at the book they had been reading together, a shocked expression on her face. For there on the page she had just turned was a picture of the thing itself. Not a photograph, naturally, that would have been impossible. This was merely an artist''s impression. Still, there was no mistaking what she was looking at: the self same creature she had encountered all those years before, when she had been not much older than Peter. What a long time ago that was! Over forty years, and in all that time she hadn''t mentioned what she had seen to anyone. She had thought about it often enough, though. And now, confronted by the creature once more, here in the pages of a book, she almost felt that the long years had never passed. Those ancient eyes, gazing up at her from the painting, seemed to plunge her back in time, back to the lonely country road which ran between school and her grandmother''s farm. It was as if she were actually there, surrounded by the sounds and smells of the bush; as if she were a fourteen-year-old girl once more, hurrying through the dusk towards that first unsettling moment of contact ... The ''creature'' referred to here is a marsupial leopard. Is it real, or a figment of the imagination?

First published in 1999, this dramatic novel deals with issues of friendship, passion and betrayal. A young man known as the Ox is summoned to Castle Dracula where he enters the service of the Count. The two become locked in a passionate duel when a woman they both want is seduced into a life she does not want. The author''s other publications include ''Taronga'', ''Earthsong'', ''The Red King'' and ''Brother Night''.

Dramatic novel for teenagers about a boy whose life is dominated by the desire for revenge, following his mother''s death from asbestosis. The author''s other publications include ''Taronga'', ''Master of the Grove'' and ''The Red King''. His novels have received many awards and commendations including the Australian Book of the Year Award and the Australian Science Fiction Achievement Award.