Books published by publisher Fremantle Arts Center Pr

Magpie Mischief is a delightfully irreverent story about a group of school kids who gang together and take on the City Council to protect the magpies nesting in the trees outside their school. The pro-magpie and anti-magpie lobbies lock horns in a hilarious story that will appeal to 8-10 year old readers, and while entertaining them will acquaint them with conservation and empowerment issues, and suggest innovative ways of coping with school bullies.

Joy Lefroy and illustrator Marion Duke have produced a delightfully told and exquisitely illustrated children's picture book telling the story of C.Y. O'Connor and the building of the pipeline that brought water to the parched goldfields exactly a century ago. The colossal pipeline was built between Mundaring Weir and Kalgoorlie and is considered an engineering feat. The construction of the pipeline, life on the goldfields, and the numerous characters involved in the project are presented in this engaging picture book. It also includes an informative glossary, and corresponding Teachers Notes are available on the Fremantle Arts Centre Press' website (http: //members.iinet.net.au/%7Efacp/home.html).

The Call of the Osprey is a new book by the Childrens Book Council prize-winning duo, Norman Jorgensen and Brian Harrison-Lever. This time they have used their considerable talents to tell the story of an old retired sea captain who rescues an abandoned paddle steamer and rebuilds it with the help of a young boy, Tom. Over several years the Captain and Tom work together to restore the boat to its former glory, and as the boat is gradually rebuilt, so their relationship deepens. Finally, when the boat is ready to be re-launched, the Captain, realizing his life is coming to an end, hands over the reins to Tom who, now a young man, is ready to accept the responsibility of captain. Beautifully illustrated with the exquisite watercolor paintings of Brian Harrison-Lever, this book is a timeless story of love and friendship that will be passed down from generation to generation. Shortlisted for the 2004 Western Australia Premiers Books Awards