Penguin Books Australia

On 28 June 1915, young James Martin sailed from Melbourne aboard the troopship Berrima – bound, ultimately, for Gallipoli. He was just fourteen years old.

Soldier Boy is Jim's extraordinary true story, the story of a young and enthusiastic school boy who became Australia's youngest known Anzac.

Four months after leaving his home country he would be numbered among the dead, just one of so many...

The dark clouds returned and gathered about the boy. His eyes grew distant, and he began to tremble. He heard not only shells exploding, but the cries of dying men . . . He was stumbling over churned earth, looking into the face of an officer, bloodied red as the poppies, ripped apart in the Flanders mud . . .

Here are twenty-one fascinating stories about the forgotten heroes of war: animals who have served beside Australian forces.

These are all animals that dazzle with their courage and loyalty – or sometimes just by being lovable. Whether it's a rooster guarding his battalion during the First World War or a mine-detecting dolphin in Iraq, they make the difficult lives of soldiers so much more bearable...

'What are they saying?' Isaac asked Taiata.
'They are calling us tupua . . . goblins and demons.'
'And what else?'
'They say they will come back and kill us all.'

When young Isaac Manley sailed on the Endeavour from England in 1768, no one on board knew if a mysterious southern continent existed in the vast Pacific Ocean. It would be a voyage full of uncertainties and terrors.

Lucy has a garden filled with beautiful rainbow birds. She also has a tabby cat called Artemis, and one day . . .

POUNCE!

Lucy needs to stop Artemis catching the birds, but how? Will Artemis and the birds ever live together in peace?

Find out in this cheeky read-aloud tale by two of Australia's favourite creators of books for children.

Visit anthonyhillbooks.com

But then one day he finds a conch shell at the beach and takes it home – and he hears the sea trapped inside. 'Come out, sea, come out,' he says softly. 'I won't hurt you.'

This beautifully illustrated story by award winning author Margaret Wild captures the magic of a child's fantasy world.

In her delightful picture book, Jane Tanner celebrates every child's need for time alone, time to enjoy nature and time to dream.

Emily loves spending time with Grandma.  They dance, have tea parties and work together in Grandma's garden.  But when Emily's family moves to the city, she has to leave her beloved grandma behind.  Grandma gives Emily a strawberry plant to remind her of the fun they have together.  In summer, when the strawberries are red, it will be time for Grandma to visit . . .

A warm and reassuring...

In her delightful new picture book, Jane Tanner celebrates every child's need for time alone, time to enjoy nature and time to dream.

'I wonder what you've seen and done, Harriet, over all those years?' asks Ellie.

The Tortoise pokes her head a little and blinks one naughty eye.

John Jagamarra grew up at the Pearl Bay Mission for Aboriginal children in the far north-west. It was beautiful there, but it wasn't home. This is a tale for everyone about the pain of separation, and the strength of the human spirit.

Visit anthonyhillbooks.com