Introducing one of the most exciting Australian children’s books of the year – The Hush Treasure Book – which showcases our finest children’s book illustrators and authors.

Readings is thrilled to be hosting an event to celebrate the Hush Music Foundation’s latest creative endeavour – a treasury of funny and moving illustrated stories by some of Australia’s finest children’s book authors and artists, published by Allen and Unwin. This free event will be held at our Hawthorn store on Saturday 15 August at 10.30am, and the following creators will be giving a reading: Glenda Millard, Danny Katz, Karen Tayleur and Jacqui Grantford.

The Hush Music Foundation is the brainchild of physician Dr Catherine Crock, who recognised the need for something special to reduce the stress of children undergoing medical procedures. That something was music and the resulting collections, which are created and performed by professional musicians, have proved to be a huge success. Participating hospitals share all the proceeds, and most crucially, children and parents have responded positively to the profound effects of soothing music.

The Hush Treasure Book not only contains nineteen pieces by single creators as well as famous author-illustrator teams, but also a CD containing a selection from the Hush music collection, and a page of creator biographies and photographs. This is a book that will be adored by families, should have wide use in schools, and is perfect for anyone who appreciates the amazing range of talent we have in Australian children’s books.

For now, please enjoy a sneak preview of some of the gems to be found in this gorgeous collection, and read our review of the book here.

The colours and lyrical language of Alison Lester’s piece in the anthology are a complement to Lester’s bestselling Kissed By The Moon. ‘Flying Home’ is a stunning, atmospheric blend of words and art that describes a journey through the skies towards “the light in my attic window”, which could easily become a gorgeous and soothing part of a bedtime ritual.

Nick Bland’s work includes the very popular Bear series (Cranky, Noisy, Itchy, Hungry…) as well as gems like The Wrong Book and King Pig. His piece, ‘Oliver’s Town’, is a lively rhyming story about a boy who longs to bring colour to his drab surroundings. Oliver applies some amusing logic to get his way with the stroppy mayor.

The anthology varies hugely in tone, from lighter pieces like the above ‘Oliver’s Town’ by Nick Bland, to extremely moving pieces like ‘Ward’ by Shaun Tan. ‘Ward’ is about a child experiencing a frightening medical procedure, talking their way through each sensation and fear, with the image of an owl helping them to get through the pain. It’s as bold and as true as you’d expect from the author of Rules of Summer and The Lost Thing.

Jacqui Grantford’s piece, ‘Recipe to Catch a Wish’, is the sweetest magic spell to pass onto a child. And while the writing is short and sweet, the illustration (only part of which is shown here) celebrates some other pieces in the book with tiny details. Readers will love lingering on this page, matching up the elements of the artwork to their corresponding stories.

I could talk about every one of the pieces with the same enthusiasm, but instead I urge you to seek out this beautiful book and to enjoy its many treasures.

Emily Gale