Information Book of the Year

The Eastern Barred Bandicoot is one of Australia’s most threatened species. When their existence came under extreme threat from habitat loss, predators and human development, Eastern Barred Bandicoots found refuge in the most unlikely of places – a rubbish tip. This captivating true story details the plight these small, nocturnal marsupials faced, and the outstanding efforts that ensured their survival. 

Bouncing Back Jigsaw

This is the true story of Australian prisoners of war who created a picture book called The Happiness Box as a Christmas present for children jailed in Changi Prison. The book was written for children to chase away fear and give them hope, and contained the “secrets to happiness” such as the importance of friendship, kindness, compassion, generosity, loyalty, faith, courage and hard work. The Happiness Box survived the war. It toured Australia along with Sir Don Bradman’s cricket bat and Ned Kelly’s helmet as part of the National Treasures exhibition.

                                        The Happiness Box Jigsaw

Every journey is perilous, every situation heart-breaking. Every refugee is a person forced by famine or war or fear to leave their home, their families, their friends and all they know. Children have travelled on the waves of migration to the shores of Australia for tens of thousands of years. This book tells some of their stories. Waves is a narrative non-fiction book about the waves of migration to the shores of Australia.

Waves Jigsaw

9 Stars, mirrors, eye tricks and the impossible! These are just a few of the things that inspired artist M. C. Escher (Maurits) to create some of the most fascinating images of the twentieth century. In this book, read about the artist’s life, his travels, and his passion for creating optical illusions that play tricks with our minds. 

Make Believe Jigsaw

A delightful book of birds from around Yirrkala, which is Siena’s home in North East Arnhem Land. This beautiful book includes the English and Yol’u names of the birds and their Yol’u moiety. ‘There are so many birds in Arnhem Land it is difficult to keep count’ says Siena, however she has been able to capture some for this unusual title. Our Birds also includes beautifully captured landscapes from a child’s perspective. When Siena was 12 years old, she took up photography on her iPad, but was gifted a camera from her aunty. In a short period of time, Siena was an avid photographer and had published her own book of birds. This book is the result of that inspiration. 

Our Birds Jigsaw

‘This is a very special day!’ her mother said. Maggie holds tight to her mother as they await the long anticipated apology to show a willingness to reconcile the past for future generations. In the excitement of the crowd Maggie loses touch of her mother’s hand as is lost. In a time ‘long ago and not so long ago’ children were taken from their parents, their sorrow echoing across the land’. As the Prime Minister’s speech unfolds Maggie is reunited with her mother. But the faces and memories of the stolen generation are all around them. Two stories entwine in this captivating retelling of ‘Sorry Day’

Sorry Day Jigsaw