Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing

To celebrate Dr Bronwyn Bancroft’s 2026 Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement in Artistic Excellence, we’re revisiting some of her extraordinary books for young readers.

These titles invite children to explore Country, shape, language, animals and the natural world through Bronwyn’s rich visual storytelling.

🐊 Kangaroo and Crocodile
A vivid journey through Australian animals and landscapes, from desert creatures to the coral reef.

🐨 ABC of Australian Animals
A classic board book introducing Australian animals from A to Z

🎨 The Art in Country
A magnificent celebration of Country, using colour, shape, pattern and words to explore the beauty of the Australian continent.

🔶 Shapes of Australia
From boulders to beehives, mountains to coral, this striking book explores the shapes that form our land.

📚 W is for Wombat
A colourful first book of Australian words for very young readers, designed to spark conversation and curiosity.

The ABIA Shortlist is out and we are over the moon to be recognised in these categories.

We are so excited to be shortlisted for Children’s Publisher of the year, and our very own Marisa Pintado is shortlisted for Commissioning Editor/Publisher of the year! A huge congratulations to Inked by and for their shortlist as Book of the Year for Younger Children.

Congratulations to these talented creators!

THE LAST EMBER by Lily Berlin Dodd is the first installment in an action-packed fantasy adventure about a powerful creature, those who seek to exploit it, and those who are willing to protect it at all costs 🔥⚔️

Before you close your eyes tonight
and drift off into sleep,
there are some things that you should know –
some thoughts for you to keep …

From bestselling author and award-winning illustrator comes your family's new bedtime ritual. Before You Close Your Eyes is a beautiful picture book that encourages children to reflect on their day, be proud of what they've achieved and let go of the things they can't control as they head off to sleep. 🛏️ 💤

Perfect for ages 2+!

Impossible Creatures meets The Mysterious Benedict Society in this epic, fast-paced upper-middle grade fantasy full of majestic creatures, heroic hijinks, battle-forged friendships, and sharp humour.

Happy release week to our spectacular new titles!

🐉 The adventure begins with The Last Ember (think Impossible Creatures meets The Mysterious Benedict Society) in this epic, fast-paced upper-middle grade fantasy full of majestic creatures, heroic hijinks, battle-forged friendships, and sharp humour.

🗑️ The Real Pigeons are fighting crime and BINNING BADDIES in the hilarious thirteenth adventure of this blockbuster series from !

🛏️ Before You Close Your Eyes is a beautiful picture book that encourages children to reflect on their day, be proud of what they've achieved and let go of the things they can't control as they head off to sleep.

🏖️ Castle Crashing by , illustrated by is a gentle and thoughtful picture book about showing kindness to ourselves and each other when big feelings threaten to overwhelm us.

🐕 Dogs with Jobs by , illustrated by is the paw-fect non-fiction picture book to celebrate the vital roles dogs play within our society!

The perfect picture book for the kids who are having too much fun to use the toilet!

Manu has an action-packed day ahead, and Dad reminds him that even busy crocodiles need to use the toilet at day care. But Manu doesn't want to miss out on any fun – not when there's painting to do, friends to chase and games to play!

Crocodiles Do Not Like the Toilet is out NOW by the incredible duo and 🐊