The story of Lachlan Macquarie is an important story in the history of modern Australia that has been largely lost to the current generation of school children. Whilst we've all seen many things named after Macquarie, few realise the important role he played in the Australia we know today.

Lachlan Macquarie's gravestone bears the inscription, 'Father of Australia'. That's quite a claim, but is this a title Macquarie really deserves? He is rightly celebrated for his inspired infrastructure building and his enlightened treatment of convicts and emancipists, but his treatment of the Indigenous population was far from enlightened. And then there was the Bigge report to the British Parliament that was scathing in its criticism of Macquarie's governorship, on the grounds that he was far too 'democratic'. So how are we to think of this towering figure of Australian history: founding father or failure?

Michael Sedunary's narrative is both informative and interactive; he poses questions and points out modern parallels. Bern Emmerichs' extraordinary illustrations capture the lively naivete of the painting and drawings of that time with the sophisticated, clever techniques of illustration today. The illustrations are all painted on large ceramic tiles that are individually fired between each layer of colour.

Michael Sedunary, illus Bern Emmerichs. Hardcover. Full colour. 54 pp. Middle/Upper Primary.

Who knew our soldiers had such a variety of animal companions in the two world wars?

Apart from the ‘beasts of burden’ that one might expect, such as horses, mules, donkeys and camels, many battalions had mascots as well: kangaroos, monkeys, dogs, chickens, tortoises, cats… all of whom provided comfort, companionship and a welcome distraction from the war.

A true story about a missing alpaca and his blind brother, Bambi, who suddenly had to fend for himself without his lifelong companion and paddock-mate, Charisma, to lead him around.

Bambi frets with only sheep for company, and refuses to eat. Can a new alpaca best friend be found?

Meet Torty! She’s one tough little tortoise with a beat-up shell and some missing toes.

Torty survived a great war that raged in Europe 100 years ago. Torty was rescued back then by a young Kiwi soldier. She is a World War One survivor!

In the late 18th century, ragtag groups of Europeans started to arrive in Australia. Most were convicts, some were soldiers, a few had just run out of choices. They blundered onto an ancient land that had been peopled for 60,000 years. They wanted to make it just like home. They cleared the land, they fenced it, they paved it and they put buildings on it. All the while, the country’s first peoples watched on, bewildered by these clumsy immigrants and their mysterious ways…

M is for Mutiny! History by Alphabet is a taste of the intriguing history of Australia and the many entry points for children to explore further. Why did Sir Joseph Banks hate bananas? Did anyone like William Bligh? Where is Yemmerrawanne?

Celebrate the extraordinary men and women
who have shaped Australia's history.

Captain Cook was the first European to discover the eastern coast of Australia. Along with his crew on the HMB Endeavour, Cook set out from England with royal orders to look for signs of the great southern land known as Terra Australis, which they chartered in 1788.

A high-interest picture book introduction to Captain Cook and his discovery of Australia.

32-pp softcover. Primary.

Giant waves crashed down on our little boat.
I was terrified but my mum hugged me tight and told me,
'Everything will be okay. Don't worry, it will be okay.'

Anh Do nearly didn't make it to Australia. His entire family came close to losing their lives as they escaped from war-torn Vietnam in an overcrowded boat. It was a dangerous journey, with murderous pirates and terrifying storms, but they managed to survive.

Life in suburban Australia was also hard for a small boy with no English and funny lunches. But there was a loving extended family, lots of friends and always something to laugh about for Anh, his brother Khoa and their sister Tram. And eventually for a young Anh, who tried hard to see the bright side of life no matter what the difficulty, there was triumph.

Awarded an Honour Book in the 2012 Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year awards, The Little Refugee tells the uplifting and inspiring childhood story of one of Australia's favourite personalities.

This extraordinary story about the friendship between Captain Arthur Phillip and Indigenous man Bennelong is one of Australia's most important and intriguing stories, yet remains largely unknown.

56-pp softcover. Primary.

This story is based on the true experiences of a remarkable horse called Bess, one of 10,000 NZ horses sent overseas to battle in World War One.

Tragically, at the end of the war the horses could not return to New Zealand due to quarantine laws and a shortage of ships. Luckily for Bess, her master battled to have her returned home. She was quarantined with three other horses in England before being shipped back to New Zealand where she continued a pleasant pastoral life after her confronting wartime experiences.

It’s December 1914, and young Will Hutchison heads off into the South Australian desert in search of gold with his father, two other explorers and six camels. Their expedition doesn’t go according to plan, and finding water becomes their prime concern. In a desperate bid to survive, the men ride off on their camels to look for water, leaving Will alone at their campsite. But teenager Will is not content with babysitting pack camels, and so he leaves the safety of the campsite to search for water. Resourceful and resilient, Will not only survives against the odds but also makes a truly remarkable discovery in this true story from Australia’s past.

At the end of each chapter, a double-page spread provides information on topics relating to the chapter, such as Riding the Ghan (the great northern railway; travelling on the Ghan); Indispensable Afghans (who they were; what they did); Hard-Working Camels (exploring the outback; pioneering); Surviving in the Desert (plants; animals); Precious Opals (origins; opal mining); and Curious Coober Pedy (travelling to the opal field; living below the ground).

The story and the information spreads have black-and-white and colour illustrations, including photographs of Will at the time. Also provided at the end of the book is a glossary, background reading and an index.

An eleven year old’s straight-from-the-heart account of life through the Canterbury quakes and shakes of 2010-11.

Anyone would think Maddy’s world had crumbled when she didn’t get a cell phone for her eleventh birthday. But Maddy soon has far more important things to worry about. In the dark of night, with a terrifying rumble and a deafening roar, the world turns upside down! Suddenly, words like ‘liquefaction’, ‘aftershocks’ and ‘state of emergency’ bubble to the surface of her vocabulary.

As Maddy navigates the bumps and crashes of life after the big quakes, she discovers how strong family ties can be, and finds friendship in the most unlikely of places.