children’s NEW ZEALAND MARCH 2020 n ew book s LOST WONDERS Sarah Ell, illustrated by Phoebe Morris A&U NEW ZEALAND 9781988547442 | $24.99 | | PB | NON-FICTION ALLEN & UNWIN The story of the lost wonders of New Zealand's natural history: the extinct species which are now gone forever New Zealand's dinosaurs and the giant gecko are long gone. As are the moa, piopio, huia and laughing owl, and native fish the grayling; extinct since human habitation. Some species have been lost and found such as the takahe, taiko, Tecomanthe speciosa and the weevils of Canterbury. And many are at risk of extinction—the kakapo, kaki, Maui's dolphin, kauri and whitebait. Lost Wonders tells the stories of these fascinating creatures— birds, insects, reptiles and plants—in an entertaining and accessible style, supported with useful illustrations. Drawing on accounts of their demise, and of the social climate in New Zealand in which these extinctions occurred, Lost Wonders also features some key species which are on the brink—critically endangered—and the efforts that are being made to save them for future generations. For ages 8-12. Sarah Ell is the author Sirocco: the Rock Star Kakapo, and the historical survey Ocean. She was born and raised on Auckland's North Shore in a conservation-minded family. 2 A&U NEW ZEALAND 9781988547442 NZ$24.99 PB NON-FICTION E-BOY ALLEN & UNWIN Anh Do, illustrated by Chris Wahl ALLEN & UNWIN 9781760877521 | $16.99 | | PB | MIDDLE FICTION An electrifying new series from mega-bestseller Anh Do Ethan is supposed to be doing regular teenage things—like playing sports and hanging out with friends. He is not supposed to be in hospital getting a brain tumour removed by Gemini, a high-tech android doctor. But just as the operation begins, the medical facility is hit by an unusual bolt of lightning . When Ethan wakes up he discovers that things are different. He's always been good with computers, but now his skills are next- level. Ethan almost feels like he's . part of the machine. And what about the android Gemini? If Ethan is now part robot, does that make the robot part human? Ethan will need all his new skills just to stay alive. A lightning fast, thrilling new series from Anh Do. For ages 10-14. Anh Do is one of Australia's best-loved storytellers. His junior fiction series WeirDo, Hotdog! and Ninja Kid are adored by millions of kids around the country as are his new middle fiction series Wolf Girl and Rise of the Mythix. Chris Wahl is an award- winning Australian illustrator and comic artist. 3 ALLEN & UNWIN 9781760877521 $14.99 PB MIDDLE FICTION NZ$16.99 MONKEY'S TAIL: A TIGER & FRIENDS BOOK Alex Rance, illustrated by Shane McG ALLEN & UNWIN ALLEN & UNWIN 9781760524487 | $22.99 | | HB | PICTURE BOOK A celebration of self-belief, family and caring for others by AFL Premiership player, Alex Rance, and talented children's book illustrator, Shane McG Howler Monkey was one of the best climbers in the whole jungle— until the day he landed on his tail with a big thump. He kept smiling and playing with his friends, but on the inside he was very sad. What if he could never climb again? Can Howler Monkey get his confidence back and reset his sense of self? A gorgeous picture book about resilience and change, sharing worries and staying positive. For ages 5-8. Alex Rance has played 200 games for the Richmond Tigers. The last three years have seen him experience the highs of a drought- breaking AFL premiership in 2017 and the lows of a season- ending knee injury in 2019. These experiences have inspired him to write his picture books Tiger's Roar and Rabbit's Hop. Using his passion for education and storytelling he hopes to inspire the next generation to realise their dream. Shane McG is an award- winning picture book illustrator. 4 ALLEN & UNWIN 9781760524487 $19.99 HB PICTURE BOOK NZ$22.99 THE CHICKEN'S CURSE ALLEN & UNWIN Frances Watts ALLEN & UNWIN 9781760525569 | $18.99 | | PB | MIDDLE FICTION AVAILABLE FEBRUARY 2020 The amusing adventures of a runaway boy and girl, and a delightfully selfish sacred chicken, by the bestselling author of Kisses for Daddy Felix and Livia are two runaways who are being pursued across the Roman empire, from the darkest, dampest corner of Gaul to the dry, desert sands of Tadmor. They must reach Rome by the Ides of April to rescue Livia's brother before he is sent into the arena to do battle with lions—and perhaps a vicious ostrich or two! Along the way, the pair are helped (and hindered) by a selfish sacred chicken, a foolish camel and a grumpy magic carpet as they encounter bandits, a shipwreck and a false accusation. Will they save Livia's brother in time, or will they all fall victim to the chicken's curse? For ages 8-12. Frances Watts is the highly acclaimed author of multiple books including Parsley Rabbit's Book about Books (CBCA Book of the Year) and Goodnight, Mice! (Prime Minister's Literary Award winner). She lives in Sydney. 5 ALLEN & UNWIN 9781760525569 $16.99 PB MIDDLE FICTION NZ$18.99 AVAILABLE FEBRUARY 2020 BEN BRAVER AND THE ANZAC GIRL: THE WAR VORTEX OF DOOM: DIARIES OF ALICE ROSS- THE SUPER LIFE OF BEN KING BRAVER 3 Kate Simpson, Marcus Emerson illustrated by Jess Racklyeft ALLEN & UNWIN ALLEN & UNWIN ALLEN & UNWIN 9781760631703 | $14.99 | | PB | JUNIOR FICTION 9781760637019 | $27.99 | | HB | NON-FICTION An hilarious adventure series about superpowers, The true story of Sister Alice Ross-King, who unbelievable inventions, and the greatness that sailed to war in December 1914 and became the lies within any kid who dreams big most decorated woman in Australia Ben Braver has one day to save the world. It was 1914 when Sister Alice Ross-King left Australia for the war. Nursing was her passion—all The students of Kepler Academy are under she had ever wanted to do. But Alice couldn't threat . again. And, this time, so is the rest of have imagined what she would see. She served the world. Ben Braver might just be humanity's four long years and was brave, humble and only hope. endlessly compassionate. Using extracts from Alice's actual diaries kept in the Australian War Ben will have to overcome all kinds of enemies, Memorial, this story captures the danger, the including a reckless time-traveller, the heartache and the history of the young nurse Abandoned Children and The Reaper. But not who would one day become the most decorated everyone is who they seem—and when Ben finally woman in Australia. For ages 6-10. gets his superpower, will he learn to use it in time to save everyone from total destruction? Kate Simpson is a picture book author, podcast host and great-granddaughter of Alice Ross-King. Ben Braver is no match for a band of super Jess Racklyeft is an award-winning artist and villains—is he? illustrator. Marcus Emerson is the author of the popular Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja series. 6 ALLEN & UNWIN 9781760631703 $12.99 PB JUNIOR FICTION ALLEN & UNWIN 9781760637019 $24.99 HB NON-FICTION NZ$14.99 NZ$27.99 CLOUDBURST ALLEN & UNWIN A Jack Courtney adventure Wilbur Smith with Chris Wakling PICCADILLY BOOKS 9781848128538 | $16.99 | | PB | MIDDLE FICTION Brand new Wilbur Smith series for the next generation starring fourteen-year-old Jack Courtney Jack Courtney has lived in London his whole life. But this summer his parents are travelling to the Democratic Republic of the Congo for a gorilla conference, and they've promised to take Jack and his friends with them. When his parents go missing in the rainforest, abducted by mercenaries, nobody seems to have any answers. Jack is pretty sure that it's got something to do with the nearby tantalum mines, but he needs to prove it. Along with Amelia and Xander, Jack must brave the jungle to save his parents. Standing in his way is a member of his own family— Caleb Courtney. There are western gorillas, forest elephants and hippos. But there are also bandits, mercenaries and hostile tribes. The three friends will need their wits about them if they are not only to save Jack's parents, but their own lives too. For ages 11-14. Wilbur Smith has written over forty novels for adults which have been translated into twenty-six languages. This is his first children’s project inspired by the bestselling Courtney series. Chris Wakling is a novelist and travel writer. 7 PICCADILLY BOOKS 9781848128538 $14.99 PB MIDDLE FICTION NZ$16.99 AVAILABLE MARCH 17 THE VANISHING DEEP Astrid Scholte ALLEN & UNWIN 9781760525576 | $22.99 | | PB | YA Astrid Scholte, author of Four Dead Queens, brings fans a thrilling ALLEN & UNWIN new standalone YA where the dead can be revived . for a price Two sisters. One dangerous secret. Twenty-four hours to uncover the truth. Seventeen-year-old Tempest was born into a world of water. The most skilled diver on the Equinox Reef, she searches drowned cities with her older sister Elysea, seeking out old world treasures to trade for Notes. After Elysea mysteriously drowns, Tempest scavenges the ruins alone, driven to collect enough Notes to buy her sister's life for 24 hours, and to finally learn the secret she had kept until her last breath. However, once revived, Elysea convinces Tempest to break her out of the Palindromena research facility and they embark on a dangerous journey to discover the truth about their parents' death.