Katrina McKelvey

Isla isn’t happy that her family is changing, so her mother creates a clever family tree with Isla to teach her how to accept that families always grow. Her mother hands her two new leaves, but Isla doesn’t think they belong. "There’s no room left on our branch — it’s full!" she says. Isla tries to make them fit somewhere, maybe with her cousins, at Aunty Violet and Aunty Jasmine’s house, or at Aunty Daisy and Uncle Doug’s. There’s definitely no room on her branch though! However, once she meets her new brothers she has a change of heart. She falls in love and finds room for them after all — "Our branch grew a little," says Isla. "Our family is never too full." Isla’s Family Tree is the perfect book for any family needing to find a way to introduce new family members, or to show children how they belong in their own family. The book explores important issues surrounding familial change and acceptance, while also providing a glimpse into a diverse family. Including adopted cousins and same-sex couples, it highlights that every family is normal. There are no rules about what a family looks like in a forest full of family trees.

Mila &amp Ivy is a colourful and lovely story of two sisters who have slightly different ways of going about fun inventions. When this causes a rift betweent the two of them, they both need to come to an understanding. Teaching children that sometimes people have great ideas in different ways, and communication is important, Mila &amp Ivy takes readers on a fun journey about using one's imagination and power of creation. A great book for siblings that don't always see eye to eye, to show how a difference in thinking and creating can come together to make something amazing.

A moving story about the bond between a mother and her child.

My Heart depicts the many ways a mothers heart can experience love and emotion while her baby journeys through the milestones of growing up.

The story uses repetition and subtle variation to reflect the activity and reactions of the mother's heart, and how they change with each mother-child interaction. The narrative moves through the early years until the child goes off on their first independent activity, a deeply moving moment for all mothers. Beautifully detailed illustrations depict the connection between mother and child, reminding readers that a mother's heart will always be with her children, no matter where they go.

One day, Dad invites Billy into his shed to build something, but Billy soon finds out that he is only allowed to watch. As Dad becomes engrossed in his project, Billy takes Dad’s off-cuts and other items from around the yard and shed and gets to work on his own invention, with Dad blissfully unaware! At the end of the day, they reveal their creations and Dad discovers that Billy has more skills and abilities than his dad had ever imagined! Joining forces, Dad and Billy set out as a team to build a cart together — the best one yet — and enter the upcoming local cart race. Just think what they could do! Up to Something lovingly explores the development of the father–son relationship. Bonding through doing something they both love and encouraging children to take on new challenges are key here, and are illustrated beautifully. The power of inspiration and creativity, and the importance of nurturing them, are also brought to the fore. This is a lovely story of the importance of letting children grow, and the joy of working together.