Best Selling Books by Margaret Wild

With the help of her understanding mother and a close friend, Jen eventually outgrows her nickname, Jinx, and deals with the deaths of two boys with whom she had been involved.

A moving and ultimately hopeful look at what we hold most dear — and carry with us — when we are forced to flee our homes because of war. When the enemy bombs the library, everything burns, and only one book survives. As war rages around them, Peter and his father, alongside so many refugees, flee their home, taking with them a treasure box that holds something rarer than rubies and more precious than gold. They journey through mud and rain and long cold nights, and soon survival becomes more important than any possession. But as the years go by, Peter never forgets the treasure box, and one day he returns to find it. This moving story from celebrated author Margaret Wild is illustrated with Freya Blackwood’s subtly affecting artwork, which incorporates pages of children’s books in translation. The result is a haunting and beautiful tale of the power of stories and the resilience of the human spirit.

It is the summer of 1868, and Sherlock Holmes is fourteen. On break from boarding school, he is staying with eccentric strangers - his uncle and aunt - in their vast house in Hampshire. When two local townspeople die from symptoms that resemble the plague, Holmes begins to investigate what really killed them, helped by his new tutor, an American named Amyus Crowe. So begins Sherlock''s true education in detection, as he discovers the dastardly crimes of a brilliantly sinister villain of exquisitely malign intent.

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

Gabe is the best looking guy in school—that’s why his friends send him to get girls to their party. Helen is not much to look at—that’s why her friends want her to come along. But Helen gets under Gabe’s skin in a way no other girl has. It was one night. One night with lasting consequences. Now Helen has to decide if she wants to keep the baby—and if she should tell Gabe, who hasn’t spoken to her since their one night together. Filled with love, fear, and the tough choices born of casual acts, One Night is a passionate and compellingly readable novel about teen life, the hardships of parenthood—and the joy and forgiveness between family and friends.

While grannies come in all shapes and sizes "our granny" is unique.

Amid rumors of liberation, inmates at Germany’s Belsen camp create toys for a celebration in a moving story of hope, based on a true account. Miriam lives in hut 18, bed 22. She has little to eat and nothing to play with, but she can remember what it was like before, when she had her own food, her own bed, and her very own toys. As World War II nears an end, everyone says the soldiers are coming, so Miriam joins the women in planning a celebration. Every night, while the guards sleep, they busy themselves crafting toys out of scraps of their clothing to surprise the younger children. Based on a reference to a small collection of stuffed toys made by women in Belsen for the first party held after the liberation of the camp, this new edition of Let the Celebrations Begin!, originally published in 1996, is an affecting story of human survival.

Old Pig and Granddaughter have lived together for a long, long time. They share everything, including the chores, until the day when Old Pig does not get up as usual for breakfast. Calmly she pays her bills and puts her affairs in order. Then she takes Granddaughter on a last, long walk - looking and listening, smelling and tasting. Old Pig and Granddaughter say goodbye to each other in the best way they know. ''One of the truly great picture books.'' Margaret Dunkle, Australian Bookseller and Publisher ''This heartbreaking, gentle, perfectly indirect story about the last days on earth of an elderly pig offers a better introduction to the fact and poetry of mortality than many a more studied attempt.'' Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker ''Wild''s poignant story about the death of Old Pig is full of warmth and, yes, joy.'' Publishers Weekly ''Beautiful in its simplicity, this captures the essence of a life; and children, even little ones, cannot help but feel the love that infuses it.'' Ilene Cooper, Booklist ''A poignant but sidelong look at death - about as far from the didactic tomes as one can get.'' Kirkus Reviews ''A tender meditation on the death and the appreciation of love and life that deserves to become recognised as a modern classic.'' Kevin Mark, Kairos ''This book is about living, not dying.'' Linnet Hunter, The Age

A crooked man and his crooked companions finally find a real home.

Back in print at last! ABC for Kids is delighted to announce the re-release of a range of best-selling, award-winning children''s picture books. Including Children''s Book Council winners and all-time favourites, no children''s bookshelf is complete without these classic favourites. Twenty-four titles will be republished from 2010-11.Ages 3-5. Baby Brenda and her gang meet up with Baby Mario and his gang at the Midnight Cafe for a wild time of dancing, playing and feasting.

''Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul'' - Emily Dickinson. This is a story about hope, kindness and redemption set in a grey dystopian world. When a great feather drifts from the leaden sky, two children recognise its extraordinariness and take it to the village for its protection. The villagers, however, want to encase it, upon which the feather loses its radiance. The children take it home and care for it through the night. In the morning it is again radiant, and when they set it free it leaves behind the first signs of blue sky and colour. The ambiguous ending invites multiple interpretations about the effects of selflessness and kindness.

Dog and Magpie are friends, but when Fox comes into the bush, everything changes. This breathtaking story has won acclaim around the world: CBCA Picture Book of the Year; two Premiers'' literary awards; honours in Germany, Brazil, Japan; a shortlisting for the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal in the UK, and more. ''A publishing landmark.'' Magpies ''Magnificent.'' Reading Time ''a stunning book'' Australian Bookseller and Publisher ''The images from this unsettling, provocative story will resonate long after the book has been closed.'' Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) ''A strongly atmospheric psycho-fable--visually striking--an open-ended discussion starter.'' Kirkus Reviews ''Fox is an archetypal drama about friendship, loyalty, risk and betrayal - a story that is as rich for adults as for older children.'' Los Angeles Times

Picture story book for young children. The Last Potoroo is sad and despairing, but when Miss Lily gives her the fabulous pink feather boa, she feels she can do anything. The author''s other publications include ''The Very Best of Friends'' and ''Old Pig''. The artist also illustrated ''Sebastian Lives in a Hat'' and ''Wombat Divine''.

With the help of a conch shell and his imagination, a little boy overcomes his fear of the sea and learns to enjoy it.

PICTURE BOOKS. AUSTRALIAN. The little pigs we know so well from the familiar nursery rhyme now do all sorts of unexpected things - and the ones who stay home or have none are not forlorn or missing out! Keep your eye on your favourite piggy as it tries out different activities throughout the book. And watch them hula, jump, skip, zoom and whiz until the last little piggy runs ''wee wee wee all the way home''! A playful take on the traditional ''This Little Piggy'' nursery rhyme that will delight young children; perfect for parents to read aloud. Ages 1+.

Since Jessie has never cared for her farmer husband''s cat William, her difficult adjustment period after her husband''s death makes William doubt if he is still welcome on the farm.

This little piggy went singing This little piggy stayed home This little piggy had plum pudding This little piggy had none And this little piggy went jingle, jingle, jingle all the way home. Meet five little pigs who are full of life and all the excitement of Christmas! They are either out singing, dancing and playing music, or staying at home making and baking and trimming the tree. The piggies are into everything, even a little star-gazing. Keep your eye on your favourite piggy as it enjoys all sorts of Christmas fun, before hanging up the stockings and singing ho ho ho all the way home. The perfect follow-up to This Little Piggy Goes Dancing: ''filled with warmth, wit and humour. a very special book for grown-ups to share with rumbustious small people'' Magpies

When she was a baby, Ruby liked making popping noises with her dummy. ''Pop! Pop! Pop!'' When she was older, she tried making scary noises instead. ''Scrrr! Screekle! Scrunch!'' But she couldn''t frighten anyone, not a frog, not a fish. ''Shivers!'' thought Ruby. What was the scariest noise she could make? And she opened her mouth wide to find out... ''Beware, this story could provoke a wild rumpus.'' Magpies Both author and illustrator are donating a portion of their royalties to the Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal.

A father describes his first walk with his newborn baby on the day the child was born, an adventure on which they splashed through puddles, followed busy honeybees, and celebrated the bounties of nature.

For all children who have wondered what their parents are thinking, this warmly illustrated book is perfect for bedtime and story hour. Piglet feels a little insecure—she has upset her papa. Does that mean he no longer loves her? Horse, Sheep, Donkey, Duck, and Dog all tell her that they love her—but they know someone who loves her a million times more! Who can it be? In this affectionate barnyard tale, Piglet’s loving relationship with her papa will comfort every child who has ever been naughty to get attention.

A moment. That''s all it takes. A bewildering moment when the world spins upside-down, and then life can never be the same again. Arrow was just a girl when she saw something no child should have to see. And Marika is living a sister''s worst nightmare. When Arrow and Marika come together in a small seaside town, they meet a mysterious ''magician'' who says he knows how to escape the now and step into a new future. A brilliant and bittersweet story of loss and courage, with a surprising twist.

Baby hippo is in such a hurry to play he forgets to kiss his mama but all the jungle noises remind him.

In this highly original, dreamlike story, a beautiful old house is so obsessed with its glorious reflection in the canal that it can t stand to be distracted by the families who try to live in the house. Again and again, the House of Narcissus drives its residents away, until the sole occupant is only a cat. The house notices nothing but its own external beauty, but when it is finally forced to look inside it sees the terrible decay within, and then sets about to change its ways. Evocative text and sumptuous illustrations make this a haunting and thought-provoking book, for children and adults alike.

When Tom, a young panda, goes to his very first day of kindergarten, his whole family stays and plays and wishes they could be in kindergarten too.

A warm, comforting story about a cross little duckling and her mother''s unconditional love, from the award-winning and bestselling team behind The Sloth Who Came To Stay. NOTABLE BOOK: 2024 CBCA Book of the Year, Early Childhood Duckling is running away and she''s never, ever coming back! Or is she? Luckily, no matter how far Duckling roams, a mother''s love is always near. A reassuring story about love and trust from bestselling author Margaret Wild, with sweetly charming illustrations by Vivienne To. ''An adorable story from two of Australia''s greats It reminded me of the space and independence our little ones sometimes need to forge their own identities and navigate the world A joyful, entertaining and gorgeous read.'' Kids'' Book Review

On the first day of school ... Alex hopes she will make a friend, Salma wants to learn to write NOW, Stephen is a little bit scared, and Penny is as wriggly as a tadpole. But what is that puppy dog, Josh, up to? A story book for parents to read with young children about to begin school, or for older children to read when they are remembering their first days at school.

In a mostly abandoned city, Ben lives in a musty basement room, terrified of the "woolvs" that dwell in the shadows outside, with only an upstairs neighbor, Mrs. Radinski, to help him cope with his fears.

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.

When the speediest family in the world finds a sweet, slow sloth on their doorstep, they take him in. But, little do they know, their new pet has quite a bit to teach them. For Amy’s family, there simply aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. Mom rushes through her work. Dad rushes through his chores. Even little Amy rushes through dinner. But Sloth does things slowly. He likes to take long, leisurely baths with lots and lots of bubbles. He plays drawn-out, imaginative games. He eats his food slowly, enjoying one small bite at a time. After a few weeks of caring for their new pet, Amy’s family finds that they actually do have enough time to tell one another stories or go for long walks together after dinner—so long as they stop rushing around so much. The Sloth Who Slowed Us Down is a celebration of slowing down and remembering the important things in life.

A playful story about growing up and finding friends.

Two young sisters and their grandmother share their dreams.

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

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

Baby Brenda and her gang enjoy nights of great adventure while their unsuspecting families sleep.

Once upon a time in a teeny-tiny village, a teeny-tiny mum and dad have an enormous baby, called Baby Boomsticks. All the other villagers are scared of him. One day, Baby Boomsticks claps his hands like thunder, and rain falls and falls until the village is flooded. Oops! Can Baby Boomsticks save the day? Ages 4+.