Allen & Unwin Children’s Books – The Bell Bookshop

Shibu’s Tail

Emma — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Shibu is a cat who uses his very demonstrative tail to express his feelings, but when he starts to feel a little judged by the other (not quite so expressive) cats, he must decide for himself whether those big feelings are okay. A picture book about the importance and joy of being yourself.

Into the ice

Emma — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Go on an extraordinary journey with Alison Lester and Coral Tulloch, two of Australia’s most celebrated creators, as they share their reflections on Antarctica: sketches, writing, paintings, journal entries, their own and others’. This is a book for explorers and dreamers of all ages, and for anyone who wants to be inspired by the wonder of Antarctica.

Revenge of the toxic space potato

Emma — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

‘Skillfully juggles superhero action, teen team drama, interesting and disgusting nature facts, and loads of funny gags.’ Books+Publishing

Letitia, Binky and Worried Norman are no ordinary teens. They are the superheroes better known as the Indefatigable EnviroTeens! Unluckily they have been space snorkelled – sucked up by giant tubes, teleported through the galaxy, stripped of their powers and squeezed out on … Mars?! Forced to join the Great Snorkel Manufactory, the three teenagers overhear the evil Baron Kartuffelpoffen’s plan to snorkel up all of Earth’s water. It really sucks! Can their trusty sidekicks, Stuart the wobbegong and Beverly the sourdough starter, come to the rescue?

An intergalactic quest filled with friends, fiends and friands that proves there’s nothing like a tasty snack.

A wacky adventure for fans of Dog Man and the Treehouse books from the award-winning Guardian Australia cartoonist, bandicoot enthusiast and national treasure.

‘I haven’t read this book yet but it is the greatest book ever!’ You (reader of this book)

The Witches’ Council

Emma — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Lily Halfmoon has a secret. She’s a witch! With her animal guardian and her powerful magic gemstone, she and her friends help protect the town of Piedraville from all kinds of dangers.

It’s almost Samhain, when magic is at its strongest, and witches from all over the world are gathering at Lily’s school. There will be a meeting of The Witches’ Council, but there will also be plenty of fun activities like magic demonstrations, kelpie taming and flying races.

But Lily is in trouble. A mysterious person is after her rare moonstone, and if they get their hands on it, it could threaten everything Lily holds dear. Will Lily have the strength to fight for what she believes?

PRAISE FOR THE MAGIC GEMS: LILY HALFMOON
‘Adorable and exciting!I loved this from the very first page!’Lian Tanner, award-winning author of Spellhound

‘Agorgeously illustratedstory about thepower of friendshipand letting your talents shine.’Jason Pamment, bestselling creator ofEmber and the Island of Lost Creatures

I just ate my friend

Emma — Thu, 04 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

I just ate my friend.He was a good friend.
But now he is gone.
Would you be my friend?

A hilarious story about the search for friendship and belonging… and maybe a little bit about the importance of impulse control… from a much-loved creator.

Big Cat

Emma — Thu, 04 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Big Cat is mysterious. Big Cat is chaotic. Big Cat is lawless.
Catherine is not. She likes things to be neat, tidy and orderly.
But when the two meet, they discover they have more in common than they think and that sometimes the best adventures can be found in your own backyard.

A story about finding your inner wildness in unexpected places, from one of Australia’s most exciting picture book creators.

The selfish giant

Emma — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The children always played in the Giant’s garden, but when he returned after years away, he said, ‘What are you doing here?’ and the children fled.‘My own garden is my own garden,’ said the Giant; ‘anyone can understand that, and I will allow nobody to play in it but myself.’

Oscar Wilde’s classic tale of compassion and forgiveness is one of the most beautiful stories in the English language.
With magnificent illustrations by Ritva Voutila, this is a book for the whole family to treasure.

Dear Grandpa

Emma — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Henry lives 2,003 kilometres from his grandpa – that’s longer than all the world’s blue whales placed end to end and as uncatchable as a goodnight kiss on a shooting star. But Grandpa knows that even from a long distance, love can be closer than you think.

‘Every page in this picture book is a delight.’ GOOD READING MAGAZINE

‘Perfect for all those kids missing a faraway dad or grandfather.’ HERALD SUN

The Very Hard Book

Emma — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Can you …

Forget this line?

Dig half a hole?

This book asks you to imagine and think about some things. That sounds easy, right? Anyone can think stuff. You don’t even need to be standing up. We shall see. Good luck.

Metacognition is the act of thinking about thinking and forms the basis of all critical thought. It is also a concept that comes easily to children whose inquisitive nature makes them a natural at engaging in abstract questions and open-ended thinking. The Very Hard Book starts that ‘thinking’ journey and has a great deal of fun in the process.