Our Book of the Month in July is a beautiful story about a unique friendship from award-winning author, Pip Harry. We are also featuring a story about two sisters adjusting to a new life in Australia, a picture book that gives a guide to some of life’s challenging moments, as well as one about a very special unicorn. We have two adventure stories from Eddie Woo that feature (of course!) exciting maths challenges, and a beloved classic story set in a village of mice.

For the round-up of this month’s books for Young Adults go here.

KIDS BOOK OF THE MONTH

August and Jones by Pip Harry

Jones Kirby has just moved to Sydney from her farm and can’t get used to her family’s tiny city apartment. She’s also worried that her vision is blurry - she lost her eye to cancer as a toddler. Could it be another tumour?

At her new school, Jones meets shy, awkward August Genting. He loves fun facts, the library and knitting as much as Jones loves rock climbing and being outdoors. Who would have thought they’d become fast friends? The pair hatch a brilliant plan: the August and Jones Must-See Bucket List. After all, with your best friend beside you, anything is possible!

A heartwarming story for readers aged 9 and up.

FOUR NEW BOOKS TO GET EXCITED ABOUT

What to Say when you Don’t Know What to Say by Davina Bell & Hilary Jean Tapper

A warm and whimsical guide to negotiating life’s little moments and big emotions with empathy, kindness and words from the heart.

From award-winning and much-loved author Davina Bell and exciting new illustrator, Hilary Jean Tapper.

An essential guide to life for kids aged 3 and up.

Perfectly Pegasus by Jessie Sima

Due July 20

Nimbus has always lived among the clouds. She’s a pegasus, after all, and the sky is where she belongs. She is one of a kind. But, sometimes, being the only pegasus can be a little…lonely?

One day she meets a Unicorn named Kelp, and a host of other creatures…who might just open her eyes to something other than what’s up in the sky.

A gorgeous story about friendship for ages 3 and up.

Whodunnit, Eddie Woo?: Team Trouble by Eddie Woo & Dave Hartley

Eddie Woo, Super Sleuth is ready for action and mystery. With a mind for maths and a nose for adventure, he is about to skateboard into … danger.

When Eddie receives a cryptic message, he is soon on a mission to thwart the evil plans of smugglers. It’s up to Eddie to crack the clues and improve his skateboarding so that he can enter the annual school Triple Threat Quest with his best friends Rusty and DT.

Time Out is also available in the series.

An adventure with puzzles for ages 7 and up.

All Four Quarters of the Moon by Shirley Marr

Making mooncakes with Ah Ma for the Mid-Autumn Festival was the last day of Peijing’s old life. Now, adapting to their new life in Australia, Peijing thinks everything will turn out okay for her family as long as they have each other - but cracks are starting to appear.

How will Peijing cope with the uncertainties of her world while shouldering the burden of everyone else? And if Peijing’s family are the four quarters of the mooncake, where does she fit in? This is a big-hearted story of love and resilience, starring sisters and storytellers Peijing and Biju.

A beautiful story for readers aged 9 and up.

CLASSIC OF THE MONTH

The Complete Brambly Hedge by Jill Barklem

The mice of Brambly Hedge made their first appearance in 1980 when the four seasonal stories were published. Ever since, readers have loved exploring the miniature world of the hedgerow and meeting the families that live there.

Our reviewer, Rosalind, says: ‘The tales are heartening and the pictures sublime. I read this aloud near nightly, by request, to my five-year-old who loves the soothing world of Brambly Hedge as much as me.’

NEWS & EVENTS

• Meet Andy Griffiths and be the first to grab your very own copy of the forthcoming 156-Story Treehouse at the launch on September 6 in Carlton. To find out more and book tickets, visit here.
• We have put together a collection of children’s books with non-binary and trans characters here.
• The schools program has been announced for the Melbourne Writers’ Festival and the children’s authors are Gabrielle Wang, Eddie Woo, Katrina Nannestad and Kirli Saunders. Find out more here.
• Don’t forget that every week we have our experienced storytellers presenting a fun, free storytime at our St Kilda store (Saturday, 2pm) and Kids store (Sunday, 10.30am).