This is a story about trees and fungi connected through a ‘wood wide web’ – told by one tiny fungal spore .A little fungus meets a baby cacao tree and they learn to feed each other. They cooperate with a forest of plants and a metropolis of microbes in the soil. But when drought strikes can they work together to survive? The fourth book in the Small Friends Books series, this science-adventure story explores the Earth-shaping partnerships between plants, fungi and bacteria. A beautifully-illustrated science-adventure story, created in collaboration with scientists. Engages children in the invisible world of microbes. ‘The Science Behind the Story’ section allows for deeper exploration of the scientific concepts underpinning the story.

You'll Be a Wonderful Dad is your practical and emotional guide on fatherhood in the lead up and months following the birth of a baby. Once a letter to a dear friend and quickly passed on from dad to dad, Ailsa Wild's warm and encouraging words of precious love and excitement have expanded into a beautiful hardback book to be shared on the parenting journey. You'll Be a Wonderful Dad is a kind and important guide on how dads can be proactive in supporting their partners and family through the lead up to birth and new parenting: from practising emotional labour and sharing the mental load to embracing play and connection. Complete with illustrations from Bernard Caleo, this is a must-read and perfect gift for new or expecting fathers. Since writing her original letter, Ailsa has heard from countless families sharing what her words have taught them. Becoming a father is a time of love and learning, when sexism and gender roles can be frustratingly reinforced. But dads belong right in the middle of their families, experiences all the joy and messiness. It's going to be wonderful. You're going to be wonderful.

With her home under threat from a warming ocean, Zobi, a brave rhizobia bacterium, teams up with a familyof slow but steady zoox (zooxanthellae). As the coral bleaches, everyone begins to starve... Can Zobi and the zoox work together to save the day? This beautifully illustrated science-adventure story, set on the Great Barrier Reef, was originally published in 2015, but has been extensively re-written and revised to delight and captivate primary-school aged readers. Zobi and the Zoox: A Story of Coral Bleaching is the first in the new Small Friends Books series - Stories of Partnership and Cooperation in Nature. FEATURES: A beautifully illustrated science-adventure story, set on the Great Barrier Reef Combines cutting-edge scientific research, rich narrative and beautiful illustrations to tell a story about the symbiotic partnerships between microbes and larger life forms Extensively re-worked primary readers' edition of the original 2015 book *Winner of the 2019 Whitney Medal!

When he hatches from his egg, Sepio, a baby bobtail squid, is not able to glow. His dark shape is too obvious in the moonlit water and all kinds of predators lurk nearby. Ali, an intrepid Vibrio fischeri bacterium, is determined to reach safety too. Can Ali and Sepio help each other? The Squid, the Vibrio and the Moon is a beautifully illustrated storybook about the symbiotic relationship between the Hawaiian bobtail squid and the bioluminescent bacteria that help it glow in the moonlight. Originally published in 2014, this book has been extensively re-written to delight and captivate primary-school aged readers. FEATURES: A beautifully illustrated science-adventure story, set in the waters of Hawaii. Engages children in the invisible world of microbes. Combines cutting-edge scientific research, rich narrative and beautiful illustrations to tell stories that describe symbiotic partnerships between microbes and larger life forms.

When a tree cries out in pain, some unexpected heroes come to the rescue. Nema and her gang of young nematodes (tiny worms) embark on a dangerous journey underground. The Xenos, a group of wise but deadly bacteria, hitch a ride. The story of how they help the tree is full of action, life-or-death challenges and microscopic warfare. It is a story of co-operation and ancient partnership, about events happening all over the Earth, in the hidden worlds beneath our feet. FEATURES A beautifully illustrated science-adventure story, created in collaboration with scientists Engages children in the invisible world of microbes 'The Science Behind the Story' section allows for deeper exploration of scientific concepts underpinning story Teacher Notes available to support the use of this book in the classroom The Small Friends Books series combines cutting-edge scientific research, rich narrative and beautiful illustrations to tell stories that describe symbiotic partnerships between microbes and larger life forms

The Care Factor  tells the story of one incredible nurse – one among many – who chose to meet an unprecedented global health crisis on the frontline.

Simone Sheridan has one of the most sought-after skills today. As a nurse, her skill is to care. When Covid-19 began to spread across the world in 2020, Sim volunteered to retrain to work in Melbourne’s intensive care units. And as she prepared to go back to ICU and case numbers began climbing, Sim started talking to her friend Ailsa. Through the exhaustion, the confusion, the many tears and the surprising moments of hilarity, Sim kept talking. And Ailsa started writing.

In The  Care Factor, Ailsa walks behind Sim as she faces the realities of the coronavirus. The result is a deeply human account of what the pandemic has really meant, not just for Sim and her fellow health professionals, but also for their patients, their families and friends, and the many who faced life in lockdown. This is a celebration of nursing, of friendship, and of the layers of connection and care that allow us to keep going when it feels impossible.