Paul Jennings is a celebrated author whose imaginative short stories have captivated readers. His work is characterized by a playful yet profound exploration of the unexpected, often weaving elements of the surreal into everyday life. Jennings possesses a unique ability to tap into the concerns and curiosities of young readers, crafting narratives that are both entertaining and thought-provoking. His distinctive voice and knack for surprising twists have solidified his place as a beloved figure in children's literature.
Exploring the interconnectedness of existence, the book presents a vision of the world as a tapestry of spirit and energy. It delves into the idea that understanding life's complexities involves recognizing the threads that connect people, places, and moments. Through this metaphor, it invites readers to reflect on their own woven nature and the significance of their interactions within the broader fabric of life.
A moving story of family, love and loss from one of Australia's greatest storytellers. Emily loves the bush and the native animals on her family's reforested property, particularly the beautiful rainbow lorikeets that nest in one of the tallest trees. But then her father is diagnosed with a terminal illness, and Emily's world enters a tailspin. Her twin brother, Alex, refuses to accept the truth. His coping mechanism is to build elaborate additions to his treehouse in the superstitious belief that it will avert disaster - leaving Emily to deal with harsh reality on her own. When Alex secretly adopts a feral kitten, going against everything that's important to Emily, the siblings' emotions reach boiling point - with potentially dangerous consequences for them all.
Honest, insightful, funny - a brilliant memoir about writing and teaching and life from one of Australia's most loved children's authors.
A fascinating and readable portrait of the working men and women who toiled behind the scenes in the nationally and internationally renowned spa resort of Harrogate, during its heyday in the Edwardian period.
Paul Jennings' gentle, humorous, autobiography weaves together the characters and events that formed the author of Round the Twist, the 'Un' series and the Different trio of novellas recently published by Old Barn Books. From dyslexic child immigrant and high school dropout to award-winning teacher and Concorde-travelling author, Paul looks back and unpicks both his life and his writing, reflecting on moments of hubris as he confronts his glass-fronted collection of classic cars and his marriage failure. Raw and revealing, in Untwisted Jennings has crafted both a quirky, compelling, narrative and a how-to for students of creative writing and of life.
The final part of a series which started with 'A Different Dog', followed by 'A Different Boy', published by Old Barn Books in August 2018. 'A Different Land' continues to explore themes of family and displacement as our narrator seeks to find a home. Told with Paul Jennings empathy and gentle humour - and there is bound to be a twist in the tale!
A highly original, gripping and surprising story of a boy who can't speak, a dog, and a daring rescue. Beautifully crafted, this story will draw the most reluctant of readers towards the rewarding, quirky, twist of its ending.
Anton escapes from an orphanage and successfully stows away on a boat headed for the land of 'sunshine and steaks'. A heartbreaking and heartwarming tale of loss, guilt, mistaken identity and risk-taking, migration, resilience and courage. Perfect for reluctant readers in upper primary and lower secondary. Beautifully illustrated by Geoff Kelly.
The hilarious story of a boy with an unusual problem, from children's book legend Paul Jennings. Includes fantastic look-and-find colour illustrations.