New Releases by Anna Fienberg

Adventurous little Tashi faces a terrible ogre who is threatening his village in this 12th installment of the Tashi series. As he endeavors to recover the ogre’s stolen pet from the evil Baron and protect his village from being eaten, Tashi''s tales of derring-do convey themes of bravery, ingenuity, and loyalty.

Chinese edition of Tashi and the Fortune teller (16 of 16 of the Tashi series). Jack found a friend in Tashi, a strange little fellow from a fantastic land, who could tell tales of courage, curiosity, adventure, and bravery. Check out all 16 of Tashi books in Chinese here. In Chinese/English. Annotation copyright Tsai Fong Books, Inc. Distributed by Tsai Fong Books, Inc.

Picture storybook for children retelling the classic story of Thumbelina, a girl smaller than a thumb. While she loved her home she often pined to play outside, till one day she is captured by an old Mamma Toad and was kept as a bride for her son. Author writes for both children and adults. Previous titles include the Tashi series. Illustrators live in Sandringham, Melbourne, and took two years to complete the illustrations. Previous titles co-illustrated include ''Goodnight and Thanks for the Teeth''.

When Tashi finds poor Ning Jing hiding from her nasty Cousin Bu Li, Tashi thinks up a very spooky plan to scare him right out of the forest, and when two mysterious strangers appear in the village square, Tashi knows the demons are back. Nobody has adventures like Tashi.

After Bouncer the acrobat loses her bounce, Minton the lizard decides to make an airplane to fly her back to the city.

Leo lives in a village on the outskirts of Fiesole, in sixteenth-century Italy at a time when superstition and fear of the plague rule people''s lives. The lake in his village is a forbidden and dangerous place, for it is where the witch lives, and she is always hungry for children. Though just a young wizard, Leo is the only one with the power to confront and and overcome the witch''s curse. Suggested level: intermediate, junior secondary.

There’s no stopping Tashi in his new adventure, where Tashi encounters magic shoes and confronts Uncle Tiki Pu’s sneaky plan at the Emperor’s court. Things are looking great again for Tashi until he visits the fortuneteller, Luk Ahed, who tells him that his 10th birthday will be his last. The next morning, Tashi prepares a lavish meal for the protector of long life and begins the race against time. As always, this story is told in exciting detail that will thrill young readers.

A compilation of seven books featuring the adventures of the cunning and clever Tashi.

Minton decides to build himself a car so he can explore the city in style.

Ariel had never met anyone who had returned from the Island. Still, her mother said it was a beautiful place, with shiny sand and ancient caves. There was some kind of school there, too, where characters went to learn their proper roles in life. But Concetta had always been a little vague... Deliberately, Ariel thought. Suspiciously. Ariel and Zed are both a bit weird. They''re misfits, reluctant to be thrown together for the holidays. But when they reach the mysterious Island, they soon face dangerous adventures, strange new friends and surprising discoveries about themselves and each other - not to mention the secret of life. Winner of the Alan Marshall Award, 1993 Victorian Premier''s Literary Awards. ''A rich and intricate story, full of humour, imaginative energy and good sense.'' - Cathryn Crowe, The Courier-Mail ''A deliciously clever trickle of humour running through sparkling prose.'' - Karen Jameyson, The Horn Book

Tashi’s life is never dull. In this exciting new quest, Tashi plots with the wife of Chintu the giant to rid the village of his Only Brother--a giant who will eat anything in sight, including the villagers, unless Tashi can stop him. Things go terribly wrong when a stranger appears with a magic flute, but in the face of trouble Tashi acts fast and saves the village from a terrible disaster.

Another enjoyable Tashi book with two stories. In ''Tashi and the Demons'' Tashi makes a clever escape from the demons when they throw him into the Dragon''s Blood Tree. And in the second story Tashi has to face the ferocious River Pirate who has come back for revenge.

Anna Fienberg tells the extraordinary story of a boy''s self-discovery in her own unique style of magical realism.

Minton is optimistic and eager for another adventure - but Turtle''s not so keen on an underwater voyage!

An intensely honest book, brimming with ideas and emotion. How do you make the most difficult decision in life when your family, friends and lover are more distant than the nearest galaxy?

Minton loves things that move - boats, planes, cars, trucks - and he finds just what he needs to make them. Minton wants to be a truck driver and when there''s sand to move and building to be done, Minton and Turtle are ready for a hard day''s work. Minton makes an enormous sand construction.

That lovable little Tashi has more adventures to recount - this time about Baba Yaga, whose amazing house on chicken legs blows in on a wild storm, and about the time the wicked Baron stole all the hens in the village to sell to the fearsome River Pirate.