New Releases by Margaret Wild

Baby Bird loves his blankie. But when it comes to bedtime Baby Bird would rather play than sleep.

In the warm waters of the coral reef, one hundred and one baby seahorses learn the ways of the world. They curl around coral and flutter their fins - except Leo, the littlest seahorse, who is always a bit behind. But when a hungry groper approaches, Leo proves that he, too, is capable of big things.

Puffling is a baby—small, white, and very hungry. Every day he waits in the burrow while his parents, Big Stripy Beak and Long Black Feather hunt for food. As he grows, Puffling dreams of the day when he will leave his nest and fly away—but he isn''t ready yet, not until he''s tall and brave enough to fend for himself. Every day Puffling asks his parents, but every day they say he must wait until he has grown bigger. Will he ever be ready to head out into the world on his own? This story about how love makes us strong, brave, and happy, too, is perfect for so many milestones: first times with babysitters, first days of school, and even graduation.

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

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.

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.

Loneliness is universal but friendship is often close by ... Christopher is feeling lonely because his mother is busy with the new triplets, Jerry, Josh and Jane. He is so lonely he could scream ... and scream ... and SCREAM. His neighbour, Molly MacNamara, is feeling the same way and one Monday morning at exactly ten o''clock, she does just that ...

When Piglet cannot find her mother, all of the barnyard animals try to make her feel better, but Piglet wants nothing but Mama.

While Mum and Dad are working, Grandpa looks after Georgie. They read stories, plant flowers and play dress-ups. One day, Georgie says, ''Today I''m big and you''re a baby. Okay?'' ''Okay,'' says Grandpa Baby. What will Georgie and Grandpa Baby get up to? Ages 2+.

Porcolino está meio inseguro e , por isso, sai perguntando aos animais se o amam. Cavalo, Carneiro, Burro e Cão, todos afirmam que sim - mas também explicam ao pequeno Porcolino que existe alguém que o ama um milhão de vezes mais! Quem será?

Nessa aventura, os cachorrinhos Bife e Bufe, que adoram ser os filhotes de bolso do seu Toto, vão para a praia com ele. Depois de muita diversão, levam um susto - o querido e enorme casaco do seu Totó desaparece e, com ele, os bolsos onde ''moram'' os dois filhotes. Bife e Bufe decidem, então, procurar o casaco por toda a praia até, finalmente, encontrá-lo e, assim, voltarem a ser os filhotes de bolso do seu Totó.

The little dogs, Biff and Buff, love riding in the pockets of Mr Pockets'' very big coat. But while they''re on holiday by the sea, something DREADFUL happens to the beloved coat. Will Biff and Buff ever be pocket dogs again?

Max''s baby sister, Daisy, is gorgeous! But when is she going to talk? ''Say moo,'' says Mum. ''Say neigh,'' says Dad. ''Say baa,'' says Nana. ''Say quack,'' Says Max. But Daisy just sticks her bottom in the air and says nothing, until one day . . .

Bobbie, an Australian wallaby, can jump, bounce, and skip but cannot do splits until the other animals help her.

Vó Nana e Neta moram juntas há muito, muito tempo. Elas compartilham tudo, inclusive as tarefas, até o dia em que Vó Nana não aparece para tomar o café da manhã. Calmamente, ela paga suas contas e trata de pôr seus negócios em ordem. Então ela leva Neta para um último passeio, apreciando, escutando, sentindo cheiros e sabores. Vó Nana e Neta se despedem da melhor maniera que conhecem.

One day, when Baby Hippo woke up, he was in such a rush to go and play that he forgot to give his mum a kissa The story that follows is a delightful page turner, as on his walk through the jungle Baby Hippo hears "Kiss, kiss!" from an appealing assortment of parents and babies. Finally, he realises what it is he forgot to doa With a charming text and stunning illustrations, Kiss, Kiss! is a warm, affectionate story that will delight both children and their parents (who also like kisses!).

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

Tanglewood lives on an island far away, visited only by the wind. One day a bird shelters from the storm among its branches and a precious bond is formed. But Seagull belongs to the sky and, too soon, must leave. Will she ever return?

Baby Hippo is in such a rush to play one morning he forgets to kiss his mama, but strangely all the jungle noises seem to 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.

Dog rescues Magpie, and the two become fast friends. But their deep, caring bond is threatened when Fox, jealous of their companionship, conceives a plan to separate them forever.

Bliss is not the happy place it should be. The home for old bilbies is dominated by Maron''s strict rules and unforgiving attitude. Then the outspoken Nina arrives. By resisting Matron''s rules, Nina shows Biba and the other bilbies that a true home is one in which can live with compassion and dignity.

Cão e Gralha são amigos por escolha e por necessidade. Cão é cego de um olho e Gralha não pode mais voar. Cão se torna suas as asas de Gralha, e ela os olhos de Cão, ao correrem pelas moitas e pelos galhos secos da caatinga. Vivem felizes e em paz, até que Raposa aparece com seus olhos ferinos e pêlo grosso e avermelhado. Carrega o cheiro da raiva, da inveja e da solidão. Cão acolhe Raposa em sua casa e lhe oferece casa e comida. Sempre arredia, Raposa tenta gradativamente convencer Gralha a dar um passeio montada em suas costas, e procura de uma maneira ou de outra arruinar a amizade e o amor existentes entre eles.

At midnight, baby Brenda climbs out of her cot, creeps out of the house and joins all the other babies for a wild adventure in the park. As soon as the sun comes up, they toddle home to bed and no-one ever knows what they''ve been up to ... least of all their families.

A playful story about growing up and finding friends.

When Piglet cannot find her mother, all of the barnyard animals try to make her feel better, but Piglet wants nothing but Mama.

On Farmer Fred''s farm there were four old animals - Cow, Horse, Pig and Donkey. They had never been anywhere, never seen anything - just the farm, just its fields. Then, on the night Cow died, something extraordinary began to happen. She grew big, beautiful wings. She soared over mountains, over rivers, over the sea. She would go everywhere, she would see everything. For the first time, Farmer Fred and the animals began to imagine life beyond the farm - and it was beautiful. This uplifting story combines sensitivity to an emotional issue with humour and pathos.

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+.