Written by Lesley Gibbes
Illustrated by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall
ISBN 978-1-76120-568-2
Three dino eggs are all ready to hatch
as their dino dads watch over the batch.
Out of the blue, a volcano rumbles.
As the earth shakes, away the eggs tumble!
Off they go! Off they go! Off they go! RUN!
Quick come along for the EGG RESCUE FUN!
Scholastic Australia
Check the activities page for dinosaur related activities!
Written by Trudie Trewin
Illustrated by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall
ISBN 978-1-74383-740-5
Marley and Moses lived in a place where the heat crept up and smothered the days in stifling stillness. And stayed and stayed.
A captivating story of a searing Australian summer and waiting for the welcome relief of rain.
Scholastic Australia
Written by Lesley Gibbes
Illustrated by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall
ISBN 978-1-76066-350-6
The dinosaur kids whinge and grumble until, an earth-shaking STOMP echoes over the hill.
Get ready, get set, for daddies galore.
Here they come! Here they come!
Here they come…
ROAR!
Shortlisted 2022 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards
Scholastic Australia
Check the activities page for dinosaur related activities!
Written by Deborah Abela
Illustrated by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall
ISBN 978-1-760651-51-0
Bear is different. When he dreams of going into space, the other bears laugh. In space he feels at home, but also alone, until something extraordinary happens.
A story about finding friendship in the most unusual places.
2021 Notable Book—Children’s Book Council of Australia
Shortlisted SCBWI Crystal Kite Award
Premier’s Reading Challenge List
Walker Books
CLICK HERE for Teacher Notes
Written by Klay and Mark Lamprell
Illustrated by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall
ISBN 978-1-74299-410-9
Huberta likes to surprise everyone! But when the truck that is supposed to take her to a new zoo breaks down, Huberta decides to make her own way there.
It will be the best surprise yet!
Scholastic Australia
Written by Frances Watts
Illustrated by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall
ISBN 978-1-76066-404-6
Maxwell Mouse the photographer is trying to take school photos at South Furriest Public School. But some students just won’t stay still. And others won’t look at the camera!
Can Maxwell get all of the students to Say Cheese?
Scholastic Australia
Written by Susanne Gervay
Illustrated by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall
ISBN 978-1-925335-99-6
Sam doesn’t like his new glasses. They make his ears hurt. His parents say he looks handsome in them. But Sam just wants to look like himself. His teacher doesn’t recognize him — she says he must be a new superhero. But Sam doesn’t want to be a superhero. He just wants to be himself. Eventually, with a bit of confidence and a lot of humour, Sam finds out that wearing glasses isn’t so bad — and people still like him just the way he is after all.
“Children and teens with glasses face adjustment to wearing them. It can be hard to look after glasses and keep track of where they are. It can make children and teens feel different. They can be teased and identified as different. Kids may refuse to wear their glasses. It’s important that children feel included when they wear glasses and even a superhero. For more information: Good Vision for Life”
Good Vision for Life
Watch the Book Trailer!
Download the Teachers Notes
An Australian reimagining of Edward Lear's nonsense poem The Owl and the Pussycat. The Croc and the Platypus trundled off in a rusty old Holden ute. They took some damper and tea in a hamper and bundled it up in the boot. Join Croc and Platypus for an Australian outback hullabaloo!
Written by Jackie Hosking for Walker Books Australia
ISBN: 978 1 760651 05 3
Shortlisted Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year
Review:
The poem, complemented by the exuberant illustrations, celebrates the joys of picnics, road trips and camping in remote places. Marjorie Crosby-Fairall, American by birth but now living in Sydney, manifests her love of Australian images in her pictures. Using acrylic paints and coloured pencils she communicates the vastness of earth and sky, the characters’ vivid facial expressions and body language, and the textures of objects such as the utility truck, hamper, fleece and didgeridoo.
This picture book is highly recommended for young children both for its appealing verse and the excellence of the illustration and design.
—Lyn Linning, Magpies
Tapir lives in the jungle.
Pig lives in the village.
But when they meet at the waterhole, they discover they are the same in so many ways.
They might even be brothers from a different mother!
From a master storyteller comes this heartfelt tale of friendship . . . and seeing past our differences.
Reviews
Against the wishes of their fathers, two very different animals become firm friends. A universal and appealing story of friendship, richly illustrated. Highly recommended.
—Margaret Hamilton, Pinerolo
Brothers From A Different Mother is a fantastic contemporary text to explain to kids about diversity, differences and acceptance.
—The Never Ending Bookshelf
Phillip Gwynne’s Brothers from a Different Mother (Viking, $19.99), illustrated by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall, is a timely book. A baby tapir and a baby pig, each an only child, meet at a waterhole and become so close they consider themselves “brothers from a different mother”. But this harmless union is frowned upon by father tapir and father pig. A pig and a tapir should not be together, they insist. Sometime, though, love cannot be beaten. The muddy, muddy ending to this book is gorgeous.
—The Australian, Stephen Romei
This children’s picture book is charming and entertaining, but with an underlying message that’s important for us all to think about. Does coming from a different background or having a different “look” mean we are fundamentally different? Are our differences insurmountable?
Crosby-Fairall's illustrations underscore the plot, and the solution is beautifully depicted by both author and illustrator.
—The Book Chook
Written by Phillip Gwynne for Penguin Random House Australia.
ISBN 978 0 670 07848 6
The book that inspired the 2016 Myer Christmas Windows in Melbourne.
Excited children and their parents lined up in Melbourne’s Bourke Street Mall to be among the first to get a glimpse of this year’s spectacular Christmas Windows, based on the new children’s book One Christmas Eve by author Corinne Fenton and illustrator Marjorie Crosby-Fairall.
The book tells the story of Bella on Christmas Eve in 1968 when she visits her Grandparents in St Kilda for a typical Australian BBQ. Bella and her grandfather head to Luna Park and she is given the choice of one ride so she chooses the magical carousel. She jumps on the horse and lets her imagination take hold as she daydreams about the ‘Majestic Horse’ taking her high above the clouds over Melbourne and being greeted by Santa’s sleigh and his reindeers. Once the ride ends, Bella’s dream fades back to reality and she heads home with her grandfather. When Bella wakes on Christmas Day, she is delighted to unwrap a rocking horse that her Grandfather hand-carved for her to resemble the ‘Majestic Horse’ she rode on the carousel.
This year’s theme features 3D adaptions of some of Melbourne’s most iconic sites including Luna Park, The Palais Theatre and the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Brought to life once again by the incredible John Kerr and the talented team at Stage ONE, this year’s windows feature over 10,000 festoon lights, 120 individual 55cm characters, 5,000 miniature figurines and took over 30 artisans 17,000 hours to create.
—excerpt from The Myer Blog
Written by Corinne Fenton for Black Dog Books an imprint of Walker Books Australia. Exclusive to Myer.
ISBN 978-1-925381-25-2
Mrs Dog was once a working farm dog, but now she is old and only chases shadows. Until one day, a tiny orphan comes into her life...
Written by Janeen Brian for The Five Mile Press (an imprint of Bonnier Publishing)
ISBN 978-1-76006-645-1
Reviews:
"Unlikely friendships, inter-generational bonds, courage, tenacity and adapting to change all feature as the themes in this heart-rending tale of an old farm dog and a little stray lamb. [...] What follows is an agonising clutch at survival, depicted by mind-blowing perspectives and life-altering moments of bravery and determination. Where the ultimate favour of a life saved is returned, we are literally taken from the lowest of lows to the highest of highs. Janeen Brian brilliantly ties all the elements neatly together in a touching and uplifting ending.
With beautifully soft, textured quality and warming, earthy tones, the illustrations by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall perfectly complement the authentic, homely and wholesome nature of this humble narrative and endearing characters.
Mrs Dog is a timeless tale of love and generosity that young and old readers can share and treasure in their hearts for many generations to come."
— Reviewed by Romi Sharp for Reading Time
"Brian’s exquisite use of language is the beating heart of this gorgeous picture book and conveys a story that will bring a tear to your eye and a smile to your heart. Crosby-Fairall’s illustrations are equally divine. The alternating use of perspective shifts the reader seamlessly from merely being an observer to Mrs Dog’s, the Tall-Ones’ and of course adorable little Baa-rah’s point-of-view. A simple tale of devotion, love and loyalty possessing all the best bits of Babe but stunning and memorable in
its own right. Highly recommended and not just because Mrs Dog is a beautiful Collie."
— Reviewed by Boomerang Blog
"Many themes are plaited through this moving story of renewal and second chances. They are the longing to be useful and needed; to love and be loved, regardless of age.
The illustrations are magnificent. They display the gentleness, compassion and the incredible bond between the animals. This produces a feeling of serenity that emanates from the page.
The stunning cover is the drawcard for this book. But the interest won’t stop there. Collectors of extraordinary picture books will surely add this to their shelves."
— Reviewed by Susan Whelan of Kids' Book Review
An Australian reimagining of Edward Lear's nonsense poem The Owl and the Pussycat. The Croc and the Platypus trundled off in a rusty old Holden ute. They took some damper and tea in a hamper and bundled it up in the boot. Join Croc and Platypus for an Australian outback hullabaloo!
Written by Jackie Hosking for Walker Books Australia
ISBN: 9781922077608
Award:
Shortlisted Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year
Review:
The poem, complemented by the exuberant illustrations, celebrates the joys of picnics, road trips and camping in remote places. Marjorie Crosby-Fairall, American by birth but now living in Sydney, manifests her love of Australian images in her pictures. Using acrylic paints and coloured pencils she communicates the vastness of earth and sky, the characters’ vivid facial expressions and body language, and the textures of objects such as the utility truck, hamper, fleece and didgeridoo.
This picture book is highly recommended for young children both for its appealing verse and the excellence of the illustration and design.
—Lyn Linning, Magpies
A child's perspective uncovers a whole new world of little animals and plants in this story when they can't see the bigger things the grown-ups see. A child can make a unique contribution to their family and there are fascinating creatures waiting to be discovered!
My Little World, was written by Julia Cooke and published by Omnibus Books (A Division of Scholastic Australia).
ISBN: 9781862917903 (hbk.)
Awards:
My Little World was shortlisted for the Environment Award for Children's Literature, presented by the Wilderness Society. It also appears on the NSW, Victorian and SA Premier's Reading Challenge for years 3-4. My Little World was listed by Readings as one of the Best Kids Books of 2011.
Reviews:
"This is a book readers will feel compelled to hold gently in their hands. Soft colours, fine pencils illustrations and delicate poetry combine to depict a world of tiny animals and plants. The effect is breathtaking. [...] The story is told in verse with a simple rhyming pattern that flows naturally. [...]
The illustrations (gouache and pencil on hot press watercolour paper) are detailed, harmonious and scientifically accurate. [...] The author's notes provide information on some of the plants and animals featured in the story, making this book both a pleasure to read and pour-over but also to learn from.
— Kylie Fornasier, Magpies, April 2011
"Sometimes, something really special comes along and this is one of those times. This is a lovely picture storybook for children as young as four years. The young child is too little to see all the things adults see when they go walking. But this book is about what the child can see the surprising, the shy, the shimmering, the adventurous, the amazing and the fragile. There are caterpillars, beetles, butterflies, stick insects and a myriad of other little creatures and plants that the child sees and the adult may miss. Presented as rhyming text, this is an easy book to read aloud. The beautiful illustrations are by a talented botanical artist and they blend wonderfully with the text. The creatures and plants are labelled and species notes are included at the conclusion of the book. This is a unique book for young and young at heart."
— Joan Steinman, Ballarat Courier, 2 May 2011
"This is a simply lovely picture book. It follows a grandmother and her two grandchildren on a walk through the bush. It is written in first person from the point of view of the youngest child — who often misses the bigger animals pointed out by Gran and Jack, such as kangaroos, wallabies and birds. From the perspective of this small child though, there are smaller creatures to see closer to the ground, things that Gran and Jack would have missed.The book is written in rhyming verse which flows quite well. It is made up of double page spreads devoted to one or two of the smaller inhabitants of the bush — plants, insects, spiders, snails, fungi etc. The illustrations of these inhabitants (and others) are labelled with their name, and are beautifully done. There are no illustrations of the human protagonists except for the title page and verso, but this enhances the book, as it creates the effect of looking through the eyes of the narrator. There are author's notes at the end of the book which tells the reader about the setting of the story (Black Mountain in Canberra) and there are further facts about the inhabitants of the bushland, as well as suggestions for further reading. This book would be an excellent starting point for nature studies and bushwalks. Highly recommended, especially for Canberra schools."
— Rebecca Kemble, Reading Time, May 2011
"Marjorie Crosby-Fairall is an award-winning and highly respected illustrator. The works she has created for My Little World are so remarkably detailed and life-like that, as author Julia Cooke says, 'I'm not sure people will want to close the book for fear of squashing something.' Gum leaves so realistic that they can be picked off the page, ants that will crawl onto your finger if you put it too close, droplets of water that can be drunk from the leaves, skinks with bright, beady eyes that are ready to scamper to safety if you move the wrong way. Crosby-Fairall's beautiful illustrations draw the reader beyond the text and into the living world that Cooke celebrates in her flowing, rhythmic text. Unfortunately rhyming text for younger readers is back in vogue – an almost endless supply of it, it seems – but plant ecologist Julia Cooke has a good ear for language and her verses trip easily off the tongue in a smooth walking pace that carries the beat of the bushwalker's feet. An excellent text to use with junior classes studying mini-beasts, My Little World is a treasure-trove for young environmentalists."
— NSW Association for Gifted and Talented Children
"The book is truly a delight. The text is in verse, whimsical, inspiring and accessible. The illustrations are detailed and elegant, and, of course, technically accurate. I would have loved this book as a child. So many hidden creatures to find within, so much to awaken curiosity. So much to motivate an exploration of the garden or the local bush. Heartily recommended!"
— Margaret Morgan, My Growing Passion
"As Cooke's rhyming text takes us through each lustrous page, Crosby-Fairall's stunning illustrations unfurl a rich tapestry of organic, floral and faunal delights for the reader, complete with small labels, close-up insets and the opportunity to re-seek an insect or an animal at the very end of the book. Set during spring on Black Mountain right in the middle of Canberra, My Little World is a gorgeous way to introduce kids to the prodigious natural world nestled within our nation's rather corporate capital. Author notes reveal further fascinating information on several of the insects featured through the book, making it a priceless aid for teachers."
— Tania McCartney, Kids Book Review
Teachers Notes by Julia Cooke for Scholastic
Killer Plants (Penguin Books), written by Gordon Cheers and Julie Silk, provides an introduction to the world of carnivorous plants and how to grow them.
ISBN 0 14 054801 7
Puffin Books an imprint of Penguin Books Australia
It was awarded the CBCA Eve Pownall Award for Information Books. It also appears on the NSW and Victoria Premier’s Reading Challenge Lists for years 3-4.
