New Releases by Alison Lester

Our island lies beneath a big blue sky, surrounded by the turquoise sea. Turtles glide through the clear salt water, and dugongs graze on banks of seagrass. In this lyrical celebration of place, the children of Mornington Islandexplore theirhome in words and pictures. This is a collaboration withmuch-loved children''s picture-book creators authors Alison Lester and ElizabethHoney. All royalties from Our Island and one dollar from the sale of each copy are donated to Mornington Island State School to fund art projects in the community.

What sounds do Australian animals make? I see a grey koala with gum leaves in her paw. What do you say, grey koala? Snore, snore, snore! Snore is part of a delightful series by bestselling author-illustrator Alison Lester. Babies will respond to the rhyming text and the simple, colourful images, while toddlers will love joining in to make their own animal sounds. These bright, engaging board books are perfect for little hands — collect the whole set!

What sounds do night animals make? I see a snowy owl against the inky blue. What do you say, snowy owl? Hoot, hoot, hoot! Hoot is part of a delightful series by bestselling author-illustrator Alison Lester. Babies will respond to the rhyming text and the simple, colourful images, while toddlers will love joining in to make their own animal sounds. These bright, engaging board books are perfect for little hands — collect the whole set!

What sound do marine animals make? I see a pretty penguin sliding like a flash. What do you say, pretty penguin? Splash, splash, splash! Splash is part of a delightful series by bestselling author-illustrator Alison Lester. Babies will respond to the rhyming text and the simple, colourful images, while toddlers will love joining in to make their own animal sounds. These bright, engaging board books are perfect for little hands — collect the whole set!

Nine year-old Sophie Scott embarks on a mission to Antarctica aboard an icebreaker and documents her adventure in a diary of its natural wonders.

With rhyming text, describes how various animals move and behave.

When Bonnie and Sam receive the invitation of their dreamsto assist their riding teacher at the Royal Showthey can''t believe it! But on their way they encounter a starving pony that needs their help, and they must figure out a way to rescue the pony and help their teacher. The suspense will enthrall young readers as the two friends overcome a number of obstacles on their journey.

In the second volume of this charming series, friends Bonnie and Sam are determined to win the local talent contest. And they know that learning to do trick riding on horseback will secure victory. When the girls pick a real-live horse to practice on, all bets are off. The excitement will keep young readers turning pages, as Bonnie and Sam discover that some things are even better than winning.

“Harvey’s ink and watercolor pictures cheerily depict life in the bush and capture the personalities of the heroines and their equine friends.” —Publishers Weekly Bonnie and Sam are best friends who love horses. They befriend the ponies and horses in their Australian town except for one, Drover, who used to be wild. All she dreams about is getting back to the mountains to be free. One evening, when a wild, mountain horse who could be Drover’s twin comes face to face with the cantankerous, corralled Drover, both horses get their chance at a new life. Illustrated with lively watercolor throughout, this endearing tale is a sure hit. “Lighthearted easy readers with Harvey’s appealing watercolor illustrations, these books have instant charm . . . The horses are as vivid and complex as the deftly drawn human characters.” —Kirkus Reviews

In Strange Angels, Dru Anderson has what her grandmother called "the touch." (Comes in handy when you''re traveling from town to town with your dad, hunting ghosts, suckers, wulfen, and the occasional zombie.) Then her dad turns up dead--but still walking--and Dru knows she''s next. Even worse, she''s got two guys hungry for her affections, and they''re not about to let the fiercely independent Dru go it alone. Will Dru discover just how special she really is before coming face-to-fang with whatever--or whoever-- is hunting her?

Friendship, horses and adventure in an Australian country town combine in this collection of four full-colour Bonnie and Sam stories for young readers. Created by two of Australia''s bestselling storytellers and illustrators.

During summer vacation in rural Australia, best friends Bonnie and Sam are taking care of two horses and helping with sheep shearing when they stumble upon a crime at Skull Rock.

ALISON LESTER: AUSTRALIA''S CHILDREN''S LAUREATE 2012-13 Who would you be? On a Stormy Night at Sea, in the Wild West, under the Big Top, in the Frozen North, in a Transylvanian Castle, beyond the Milky Way, in a Steaming Jungle Choose a character, turn the page and find out what happens! An exciting book of wild adventures from Alison Lester, beloved by Australian families for over twenty-five years. ''In Lester''s world, it seems that both the real and the imagined have a magic all their own - the magic of life enjoyed to the fullest.'' The Horn Book

Presenting and public speaking is a worry for many working executives and professionals. Alison Lester helps the reader to abate these fears by helping them to understand why they react they way they do and how to overcome it. Alison also gives the reader the fundamentals of presenting effectively, from preparation to how to present and conduct oneself, to the presentation techniques and tools available to make one’s presentation unique and engaging. Written in an engaging and comprehensive manner and peppered with tips and personal exercises, Present for Success will equip you with just what you need to become the best presenter you can be.

In Currawong Creek, Australia, best friends Bonnie and Sam, who share a mutual love of horses, enhance their trick-riding skills when a traveling circus comes to town.

Describes various sounds that are being made as children play.

After the disappearance of Drover, a wild horse that looks like Drover appears in his place.

A ''big-book'' edition of Alison Lester''s all-time favourite Australian beach book, perfect for library and classroom storytimes.

Bonnie and Sam are best friends. No one loves horses the way they do. When Bonnie whispers to them, they understand, and Sam always knows if they need a drink, or a hug, or a race around the paddock. The girls ride together whenever they can, and they have the best adventures, like the time they rode their horses to the rescue on a stormy beach

Explores familiar routines in a baby''s day.

Friendship, horses and adventure at an Australian agricultural show - book four in this irresistible series of chapter books for young readers who love horses, created by two of Australia''s bestselling storytellers and illustrators.

Bonnie and Sam are best friends. No one loves horses the way they do. When Bonnie whispers to them, they understand, and Sam always knows if they need a drink, or a hug, or a race around the paddock. The girls ride together whenever they can - despite not having any of their own, they have a special relationship with all the horses and ponies in town. They have the best adventures, like that time the wild shadow brumby slipped into town and changes places with San''s dad''s police horse...

AU Author. I see a patchy cow, I see her calf too. What''s that patchy cow saying? Moo, moo, moo! From much-loved author and illustrator, Alison Lester, come these new and exciting animal books designed especially for 0-3 year olds. Little babies will respond to the rhythm of the text and the simple, colourful images, while toddlers will love joining in to make their own animal noises.

"Have fun with letters, discover new words, join in the adventures of Alice and Aldo, and find all kinds of familiar and surprising things in Alison Lester''s glorious alphabet book." - back cover.

Prolonged drought has strained Dusty''s ranching family to the breaking point, but she finds consolation with her wild and beautiful horse.

When Frank was four he ate three bags of candy fish. Nicky cut off her braid. Tessa dressed up the cat. Ernie started wearing glasses. Clive took off his training wheels. And Rosie s pony arrived on Christmas morning. But Celeste danced in her first ballet and received a standing ovation. What did you do? Here is a cheerful scrapbook of the small hurdles and accomplishments of childhood, featuring the familiar cast of characters from the CLIVE EATS ALLIGATORS series. With humour and charm, Alison Lester depicts the children as they grow from age one to seven, each in their own special way. A lively, interactive book that incorporates easy counting skills and a memory game, WHEN FRANK WAS FOUR will have kids laughing at their own unique moments.

When Clive eats fried rice and Tessa has Bombe Alaska, Rosie sips spiders. Here is the delightful group of children you met in Clive Eats Alligators who all dream of what it will be like when they grow up in their own special way. Applauding individuality, Rosie Sips Spiders will incite questions and comments from young audiences. Children will delight in Alison Lester s cheerful artwork and simple text that is filled with familiarity. Rosie Sips Spiders is an interactive book that depicts seven children happy in their own uniqueness.

Grace recounts how she, her parents, and her brothers spent an entire winter travelling completely around Australia in a camper.

''I wonder, I wonder . . . now what can he be?'' Who are the creatures in the dress-up cupboard? Can you guess? Open the door and find out! Full of surprises, this warm, funny book will delight young children time and time again as they discover each character in the familiar game of Dress-Ups.