Books with author Joni Kelly

Learn about Quack Quack, Billy Bunny, Sammy Squirrel, and Tommy Dormouse, four animal friends who do everything together. They get up to all sorts of adventures, but this first story introduces you to the boys and their habitat, where they live - on the pond, in the meadow, and in the woods. There are more friends who will be introduced in later stories.Those who grew up experiencing the countryside will love remembering some of the things you used to get up to as the animals repeat those experiences.The story is related by a grandfather to his grandchildren, Syd and Leila, at bedtime. Sound familiar?Read on....

The Irish famine that began in 1845 was one of the nineteenth century's greatest disasters. By its end, the island's population of eight million had shrunk by a third through starvation, disease and emigration. This is a brilliant, compassionate retelling of that awful story for a new generation - the first account for the general reader for many years and a triumphant example of narrative non-fiction at its best.The immediate cause of the famine was a bacterial infection of the potato crop on which too many the Irish poor depended. What turned a natural disaster into a human disaster was the determination of senior British officials to use relief policy as an instrument of nation-building in their oldest and most recalcitrant colony. Well-meaning civil servants were eager to modernise Irish agriculture and to improve the Irish moral character, which was utterly lacking in the virtues of the new age of triumphant capitalism. The result was a relief programme more concerned with fostering change than of saving lives.This is history that resonates powerfully with our own times.

It’s the start of the summer but for Michael, it’s the beginning of a nightmare. His dad has betrayed him. He’s gotten Michael an unpaid summer job at his Uncle Herald’s new venture, Swamp Camp. Un-for-give-able! Uncle Herald is as peculiar as Michael remembered, but what crazy type of uncle surrounds himself with giant crocodiles? Perhaps an uncle with something to hide amongst all of the monstrous creatures that live in his swamp.

There is a silent war taking place against the human race, one that we’re not even aware of. Colm, Joanne and Vince make the horrifying discovery when they bump into an Eenac, a race of galactic protectors. The Eenac’s greatest adversary are the Konsumer Empire, and they are here on Earth, hidden in plain sight. A realisation that the three children stumble upon when they accidently acquire abilities, and become Hybrids.

A friendship born of monsters, comics, candy, and kinship, Joe and Pino are trying to hang onto their hearts of adventure while entering the frightening maw that is junior high school. Into their lives are thrust two girls, sarcastic, Jean, feisty with a cutting wit and Val, a nearly six foot teenager whose height is only less towering than her intellect. While exploring the complex sewer chambers under their town, they discover that the legend that has been haunting their town for two decades has a name. And as they begin to unravel the whys of stolen mail, disappearing sons, and banshee cries, their own lives are threatened. But it is their compassion, as well as their wits, that bring them through fear and the unknown, opening up the chambers of a long mystery that threatens to split apart their hometown. Ripe with humor, action and heart, Lost & Found reminds us of what it truly means to come home.

Duck wants to join a club. But he needs to be able to ROAR to join Lion Club, or TRUMPET to join Elephant Club. And all he can do is QUACK! What’s a Duck to do? Why, set up his own club of course… where everyone is welcome to join! With a laugh-out-loud text from John Kelly and brilliantly quirky illustrations by Steph Laberis, Can I Join Your Club? is a heart-warming story which celebrates the importance of diversity and friendship. Perfect for little ones who are learning to make friends at a new school or nursery.

Christmas Eve has arrived and Alicia and Timothy are anxiously awaiting Santa’s arrival. However, when a couple of toys spring to life and steal the left out cookies, Alicia goes in pursuit with her brother in tow and end up tumbling through a portal down to Defective – the land of discarded and bad toys, who are led by the evil Goblin King. The Goblin King has a plan to take over Christmas, and it’s up to Alicia and Timothy to save Christmas!