The Shy Heart

The Shy Heart is a gentle children’s picture book for kids about a quiet little heart longing to be seen. Through tender moments, whispered courage, and the comfort of nature and friendship, this story celebrates shyness and sensitivity as strengths. Created for children who feel deeply, The Shy Heart reassures young readers that they don’t need to be loud to be brave. With warm, calming illustrations and poetic language, it offers a safe space for kids to explore emotions, understand their feelings, build confidence, and feel truly understood.

The Girl Who Turned Bright Red

Ever feel nervous when you’re trying something new? You’re not alone.

About The Author

But Dad, where’s Mum?

When Mum goes to work, Jordy wonders, “But Dad, where’s Mum?”

Jessica Skye is an Adelaide-based nurse/midwife, veteran and mum who’s work aims to foster wellbeing and happiness in modern families. From her professional experience, Jessica thought she could pre-empt the peaks and valleys of new motherhood and returning to work. Instead, she learnt that parenting is a marathon; it is formidable but the highs are extraordinary.

Jessica receives perpetual inspiration from her toddler and she is raring to craft more, relevant and compassionate tales. But Dad, where’s Mum? is her debut picturebook, and she is thrilled to share it with young families.

@jessicaskye.picturebookauthor

Annabelle Hale is an author and illustrator based in Melbourne. She lives with her husband, daughter, and an introverted black cat. She grew up travelling to the country each weekend with her family and loves spending time outdoors in nature, drawing inspiration from native plants and animals.

Annabelle was previously a support worker for children with disabilities, and loved reading to her clients and seeing how the pictures would help them engage with the story.

@ahale.illustration

Grandpa’s Clocks

The ‘tick-tock’ of a grandfather clock is the rhythm of Margaret’s life and a sound that has marked her family’s journey for over a century.

Her family’s clock making business started in London with Margaret’s grandfather Edwin Donald Hughes. In 1912, Edwin moved to Melbourne, Australia and later opened the watch maker and jeweller shop in East Malvern that would become the backdrop to Margaret’s childhood. Margaret loved listening to the cuckoo clocks and the chimes of the huge grandfather clocks, even when she had the nerve-wracking job of dusting the stock.

Though the watches are now digital, their family business continues. Margaret’s sister and brother-in-law followed in their father’s footsteps, and now their son carries on the legacy.