Books published by publisher Bookpod

An insightful, humorous, and uplifting story told from a cat's point of view.Bella is a Tabby cat rescued from a garbage dump by Karen, a counsellor. Karen recognises Bella's calm, affectionate and easy-going temperament, and she becomes Karen's therapy cat. With her deep purr and caring touch, Bella forms powerful, healing connections with Karen's distressed clients and with seriously ill patients in hospital.But, Bella does not work all the time. When not playing or sleeping, she delights in describing her world and the people in it. We discover her thoughts about her owners, sad children and teenagers, family relationships, vets, catteries, dogs, her friend the duck, her dreams and much more. Her comfortable life is threatened when Oliver, a tiny, Siamese kitten joins the family. Bella faces the loss of some of her valuable territory in the house and struggles to understand Oliver, a different cat in many ways. When Karen has her first child, Bella encounters her greatest challenge, and discovers her true inner strength.Joan Zawatzky is a counsellor who was inspired to write Bella - An ordinary cat with an extraordinary gift, by her own cat. About the Author: Joan Zawatzky is a psychologist who brings her experience of over 25 years in counselling individuals, couples and families. Stories of Love Hope and Healing follows Joan Zawatzky's non-fiction books, Stop Family Anxiety, and Depression: Light at the End of the Tunnel, and her novels, The Scent of Oranges, The Elephant's Footprint and The Third Generation.

Melek always finds answers, some are under her super hijab. For others she needs the help of newcomer Tien who draws fantastic worlds as an escape, or the dress-ups- guru Lily, and sometimes even soccer-mad Zac who NEVER agrees with her. Melek solves all problems, even rescuing Zac in the pool. And luckily her fashionista mother designs club colour- coded hijabs for footy fans. When it’s the Book Character Parade, Melek can’t find a book with a girl character in a hijab. With the help of her school friends, Melek makes one.Then Melek’s next challenge is to arrange an Aussie Rules Girls’ football match.Author Biographies:Hazel Edwards OAM is best known for ‘There’s a Hippopotamus on our Roof Eating Cake’ but she’s written over 200 books. (www.hazeledwards.com) Ozge Alkan is a children’s librarian. She organised a Book Character Parade each year when she worked as a school librarian. She’s also an Aussie Rules football fan and wears a hijab in her team’s colours of red and black.

Synopsis: Melek always finds answers, some are under her super hijab. For others she needs the help of newcomer Tien who draws fantastic worlds as an escape, or the dress-ups- guru Lily, and sometimes even soccer-mad Zac who NEVER agrees with her. Melek solves all problems, even rescuing Zac in the pool. And luckily her fashionista mother designs club colour- coded hijabs for footy fans. When it's the Book Character Parade, Melek can't find a book with a girl character in a hijab. With the help of her school friends, Melek makes one. Then Melek's next challenge is to arrange an Aussie Rules Girls' football match. Author Biography: Hazel Edwards OAM is best known for 'There's a Hippopotamus on our Roof Eating Cake' but she's written over 200 books. (www.hazeledwards.com) Ozge Alkan is a children's librarian. She organised a Book Character Parade each year when she worked as a school librarian. She's also an Aussie Rules football fan and wears a hijab in her team's colours of red and black.

Join the Grade 2s on a rip-roaring billy cart race around Happy Valley Primary School and see if they can whip the pants of the Grade 3 skateboard day fundraiser! Join Jaz, TJ and Ben as they burn rubber, mow down the learning garden veggie patch and make lemonade in this hilarious race to the finish line. Who wins and what do they do with the money raised?Chapter book suit Grade 1 – 3About the Author:Donna Smith is an award winning children’s author who lives in Melbourne with her husband and their three children. Donna has had many poems and short stories published in anthologies and journals. Donna’s latest releases include Delightfully Haiku; a beautiful collection of traditional -English written Japanese poetry, released in 2010, A Shadow at Cape Naturaliste; an historical fiction set at Western Australia’s breathtaking Cape Naturaliste lighthouse. This ghostly tale intertwines fact and fiction, breathing to life the story of Harry’s lighthouse, released 2011. Billy Cart Derby is an action packed, rip-roaring race around Happy Valley Primary school. An exciting and comical story for readers aged 6-10 years.Donna has an extensive list of published academic titles and textbooks for the Adult Education sector. Donna also enjoys teaching classes in Poetry and The History of Writing.

Synopsis:All of us have seen a rainbow but there would only be a few who have seen where it ends. What is it that lies far out to sea underneath the place where the seven colours hang suspended in the sky? Is it magic or a pot of gold? Maybe even dragons ….Josh and Clare are two teenagers who are drawn together by chance at the Geelong Showgrounds late at night. Through no fault of their own they are set adrift in a hot air balloon and borne by the prevailing winds to a small island in Bass Strait, the home of two dragons. Despite helping the dragons in their hour of need the two are held captive and grow together in a virtual paradise until they prove themselves once more and are inducted into ‘The House of Dragon’. When Clare and Josh finally do return home again their parents are too blind to see that their children have changed forever.Follow the two adventurers as they adjust back into family life after all that fate has conspired; now with the added burden of serving their new masters while plotting their own futures as well. It’s a good thing the two have bonded along the way. About the Author:KJ Sheerin grew up on the outskirts of Geelong, (Australia) in the post W11 era. He didn’t start writing until late in life despite having nurtured the idea since youth with his writing now encompassing those times and close family ties. His early years were spent travelling around the Australian countryside, working in places as diverse as: the woolsheds, meatworks, car factories, fishing boats and mines of WA. He spent some years in the RAN, settling down afterwards and marrying briefly. Later working part-time as a cook and finally as a gardener from which he has now retired. His initial introduction into writing was by way of correspondence but he quickly realised that it lacked the personal interaction of tutor access and peer group of fellow writers, so he attended a series of college accredited adult education courses over the next two years, joining a local writing group and becoming active in it along the way. Ken draws on his early experiences when writing and coupled with a fertile imagination and library filled with facts and figures, they fuel his short stories of which he has many. Now he has graduated to fantasy and sci-fi and the much shorter verse, ballads and prose poetry, as in ‘Against all Odds,’ his book of verse.Most of his early works and collections were self published under the banner of ‘armchairpublishing’, his own creation, and now he is busily re-editing those and more to be e-published for a wider audience. ‘Myvanwy and the House of Dragon’ (YA fantasy) is the first to be re-launched in this way and will be followed by ‘Sideshow Alley’ (YA speculative fiction) and ‘Tula’ (adult speculative fiction) all of which have a number of stories planned for each of those series, with some already completed.As well as the novels above there are other shorter works encompassing his early years and family life, yet to be completed; a nostalgic look at growing up in the fifties and sixties in Australia.Now that he has retired Ken divides his time between fishing, gardening and writing. You can see some of his works at www.armchairpublishing.com.au

I applauded.Mum bowed.And Jake stuffed the cake into his vampire teeth-edmouth and ran off to look for Dracula.All Phoebe wants is a normal family. But with a dad who keeps running away to the circus, an annoying younger brother who thinks he’s a vampire, and a crackpot mum who reckons she’s a comedian, ‘normal’ is a long way off.“Crackpot is very funny and happy, but sometimes sad and so real.Phoebe is super smart and her mum is crazy but fantastic.”– Ashleigh Grimes“I loved Crackpot. It was interesting, funny and fabulous to read.”– Briannah Mile“This is a delightful study of a girl coming to terms with her family, herplace in it, and the inevitable friendship puzzles.It is a delight!”– Dr Virginia LoweAbout the Author:In her past life – pre children – Fiona Trembath was a writer, producer and performer of comedy. She then moved on to more serious ventures and worked in corporate training, audio engineering and music production, released a children’s CD, Imagine That!, completed two degrees, runs a successful training, writing and editing business, and has been teaching Professional Writing and Editing at Box Hill TAFE since 2000.Fiona is a mother of three: Kate, who’s 27, and 16-year-old twins, Sam and Alex. In 2002 Fiona married Steve and became a stepmother to six children. Nothing has been the same since.She lives with Steve and their combined bunch of remaining teenagers on five acres in the outer Melbourne suburb of Wattle Glen. Included in their menagerie are six chooks, two dogs, two horses, one cat, and the occasional mob of kangaroos, just passing through. Crackpot is Fiona’s first children’s novel.

Synopsis:Hopscotch is a fabulous collection of hilarious short stories, side-tickling poetry and beautiful artwork by some of our most loved children’s authors. Hopscotch is packed full of gut-busting giggles and exciting adventures.About the Author:Compiled by Donna M Smith, the following artists and authors include:Kim Fleming, Kathryn Harrison, Timothy Smith , Jazmine Smith,Melissa Brown, Robert Vescio, Zoya Nojin, George Ivanoff,Shirley Buckley, Dawn Meredith, Chris Broadribb , Jenny Erlanger,Nerida Wayland, Pat Simmons, David Harding, Tanya Suffolk,Helen Ross, Sandra James, Kellie Coff, Edel Wignell, Donna M Smith,Annette Wickes, Aleesah Darlison, Jenny England, Helen Ross,Jackie Hosking, Dianne Bates, Kaye Baillie

Melanie, Monty and baby Peter Mouse live in a doll's house called Cherrywood Cottage. The Mouse family are full of excitement as they await the arrival of Santa Paws. However, an unlikely turn of events sets about a hilarious twist to their Christmas festivities. Find out how Santa Paws loses his trousers. A Christmas Tail is a delightful story, the first in a new collection about a very special mouse family. This enchanting story is brought to life by the exquisite illustrations of Aaron Pocock About the Authors: Donna Smith Donna Smith is an award winning children's author who lives in Victoria with her husband and their three children. Donna has had several children's stories and poems published in various anthologies, journals and as chapter books. Donna has also written over forty academic titles for the Adult Education sector and is currently completing an arts degree, which she will graduate in 2012. When Donna is not writing she enjoys piano, art, skiing and training for triathlons. You can visit Donna at www.jellibeanzpublishing.com Helen Ross Helen Ross (nee McKenzie) was born in Melbourne, Australia. As a former primary and kindergarten teacher, Helen has always loved the magic of books. She loves writing, photography, travel and art, and has won awards for her children's poetry. Her quirky sense of humour is embedded in many of her children's stories and giggle poetry. She also enjoys visiting schools and conducting giggle poetry workshops around Australia; hence, she always has a bag packed ready to go. Helen lives in sunny Brisbane with her humorous husband and their beloved pets. More information about Helen's other published children's books can be found at her website: www.helenross.com.au Aaron Pocock Aaron Pocock, born into a large family in the South of England, has been living in Brisbane, Australia since 2000 and has been an illustrator for 20 years or so. As well as drawing, painting and many other pursuits that keep his mind active and nimble, Aaron is also a musician and plays a mean Blues guitar. Aaron is married, has two children and works in a big studio where he scribbles away at drawings and paintings for books and things. More of his work can be found at: www.pocockillustration.com; aaronpocock.wordpress.com

Melanie, Monty and baby Peter Mouse live in a doll's house called Cherrywood Cottage. The Mouse family are full of excitement as they await the arrival of Santa Paws. However, an unlikely turn of events sets about a hilarious twist to their Christmas festivities. Find out how Santa Paws loses his trousers. A Christmas Tail is a delightful story, the first in a new collection about a very special mouse family. This enchanting story is brought to life by the exquisite illustrations of Aaron Pocock About the Authors Donna Smith Donna Smith is an award winning children's author who lives in Victoria with her husband and their three children. Donna has had several children's stories and poems published in various anthologies, journals and as chapter books. Donna has also written over forty academic titles for the Adult Education sector and is currently completing an arts degree, which she will graduate in 2012. When Donna is not writing she enjoys piano, art, skiing and training for triathlons. You can visit Donna at www.jellibeanzpublishing.com Helen Ross Helen Ross (nee McKenzie) was born in Melbourne, Australia. As a former primary and kindergarten teacher, Helen has always loved the magic of books. She loves writing, photography, travel and art, and has won awards for her children's poetry. Her quirky sense of humour is embedded in many of her children's stories and giggle poetry. She also enjoys visiting schools and conducting giggle poetry workshops around Australia; hence, she always has a bag packed ready to go. Helen lives in sunny Brisbane with her humorous husband and their beloved pets. More information about Helen's other published children's books can be found at her website: www.helenross.com.au Aaron Pocock Aaron Pocock, born into a large family in the South of England, has been living in Brisbane, Australia since 2000 and has been an illustrator for 20 years or so. As well as drawing, painting and many other pursuits that keep his mind active and nimble, Aaron is also a musician and plays a mean Blues guitar. Aaron is married, has two children and works in a big studio where he scribbles away at drawings and paintings for books and things. More of his work can be found at: www.pocockillustration.com; aaronpocock.wordpress.com

If you peep out into your garden, hiding among the fruit trees there is a tiny village where the mushroom elves live. Jazmine's magic glasses allow her to see the elves and their magic. Do you have magic glasses? Can you help Jazmine and Yapps solve the case of the missing iPad before school Monday morning using the very special mushroom elf magic? About the Author: Donna M Smith is an award winning children's author who lives in Victoria with her husband and their three children. Donna has had several children's stories and poems published, including early chapter books and most recently, co-authored a picture book. Donna holds an Arts degree and loves helping at her children's school in the classroom. Donna has also written over forty academic titles including textbooks and lesson plans. When Donna is not writing she enjoys spending time with her family.

It's been a terrible few days for Corey. His meeting in the bell tower of the boarding house with school bully Jaspar has ended disastrously and Corey now hides a terrible secret.Then came the bus crash. And finally, his frightening encounter with the mysterious woman in the tent at the school fair.'Step inside and discover the truth about your future. Find out something you don't know! Can you afford not to? You must be 15 or over...'So Corey does...and nothing will ever be the same again when he is told he has 44 hours to live...