Jess Racklyeft – illustratör

The song of the regent honeyeater has been heard in the bush for many generations – but could it soon be lost forever?

Regent’s father had learnt the song from his father, who learnt it from his father too. But with Regent’s species now facing extinction, there is no one around to teach him. Regent tries to mimic the sounds of different birds but without success.

Will Regent learn his mating call before it’s too late? Or will his ancient song be forgotten forever?

Reading level varies from child to child, but we recommend this book for ages 5 to 9.

Shortlisted, The Wilderness Society Environment Award for Children''s Literature 2024: Picture FictionNotable Book, The CBCA Eve Pownall Award for Information Books 2024

Can you see the forest on this misty-morning mountain? Can you see where the tree stands? It is the tallest in this forest of tall trees. This tree is older than those who find it, younger than the land it grows from. Between sapwood and heartwood, water rises and energy flows. Listen to the leaves bustle. Smell the forest air. This is the world of the tree.In the vein of Iceberg - marrying deep scientific research, lyrical language and stunning illustrations - multi-award-winning and highly acclaimed creators Claire Saxby and Jess Racklyeft return with a change in environment, from ocean to land. Their new collaboration follows a mighty tree, from the bottom of its roots up to the tips of its upper branches.Iceberg won the CBCA Picture Book of the Year Award and was a Notable Book in the Eve Pownall Awards.'Tree invites readers into the forest, asking them to close their eyes to imagine the sounds and breathe in the fresh air. Curious young minds aged 5+ will lap up this journey of discovery.' Books+Publishing

Mother Bird sat over her eggs. 'Not long now,' she said to Father Bird. Father Bird brought her worms and seeds. 'Not long at all.'When an extra egg appears in their nest and takes too long to hatch, Mother Bird and Father Bird must risk their lives to keep it warm. And as the freezing winter takes hold and it seems all hope is lost, only something miraculous will save them.A gorgeous and heartwarming picture book about love, commitment and discovery from an outstanding creative team: Sofie Laguna, acclaimed author of When You're Older, and Jess Racklyeft, award-winning illustrator of Iceberg.

Can you see the forest on this misty-morning mountain? Can you see where the tree stands? It is the tallest in this forest of tall trees. This tree is older than those who find it, younger than the land it grows from. Between sapwood and heartwood, water rises and energy flows. Listen to the leaves bustle. Smell the forest air. This is the world of the tree.In the vein of Iceberg - marrying deep scientific research, lyrical language and stunning illustrations - multi-award-winning and highly acclaimed creators Claire Saxby and Jess Racklyeft return with a change in environment, from ocean to land. Their new collaboration follows a mighty tree, from the bottom of its roots up to the tips of its upper branches. Iceberg won the CBCA Picture Book of the Year Award and was a Notable Book in the Eve Pownall Awards. 'Tree invites readers into the forest, asking them to close their eyes to imagine the sounds and breathe in the fresh air. Curious young minds aged 5+ will lap up this journey of discovery.' Books+Publishing

NOTABLE BOOK: 2026 CBCA Book of the Year, Eve Pownall Award Deep in the ocean, far beyond the reach of even the brightest sun, the earth quakes. Hagfish scatter and snailfish flutter. Lava pillows flash and fade, rumpling the seabed as a new volcano births a mountain. Where hot meets cold, a chimney forms. Here begins a colony of unexpected creatures. Other chimneys grow and cool, grow and cool, while the mountain stretches ever upwards. A rumble becomes a roar and the sea boils. Lava fireworks the sky. A new island is born.More volcanoes erupt under water than exist on land. In the vein of Iceberg and Tree - combining deep scientific research, lyrical language and stunning illustrations - Volcano is the next exploration of the natural world from the CBCA award-winning team of Claire Saxby and Jess Racklyeft.

It begins with a puff. Then another. A flutter, a ripple, a shiver show where the breeze blows. Tiny water drops join and grow until they are too heavy to stay aloft. Lightning cracks and thunder bellows. The storm is here.An evocative exploration of the birth of a thunderstorm and the effects of wind and weather on the natural environment. In the vein of Iceberg, Tree and Volcano - combining deep scientific research, lyrical language and stunning illustrations - Storm is the next exploration of the natural world from the CBCA award-winning team of Claire Saxby and Jess Racklyeft.Perfect for: - anyone who's ever wondered how a storm forms - schools looking for engaging illustrated non-fiction - parents of children who love weather, science and the natural world.

With its gentle lullaby-like text and warm, comforting art, Before You Close Your Eyes encourages children to reflect on their day, be proud of what they've achieved and let go of the things they can't control as they head off to sleep.Before you close your eyes tonightand drift off into sleep,there are some things that you should know –some thoughts for you to keep …From bestselling author Scott Stuart and award-winning illustrator Jess Racklyeft comes your family's new bedtime ritual perfect for readers aged 2 to 6.

WINNER: 2022 CBCA Picture Book of the YearNOTABLE BOOK: 2022 CBCA Book of the Year, Eve Pownall AwardIn the final freeze of an Antarctic winter, green tails wave across a star-full sky, as if to farewell endless nights. If this world looks empty, look closer ... Penguins trek across the ice to their winter homes. As the temperature warms, birds fly above on their long migrations. And with the advent of summer, beneath an iceberg, the sea is teeming with life. Ocean, sky, snow and ice - minute greens and giant blues - dance a delicate dance in this evocative portrayal of the life cycle of an iceberg.'Richly informative and brimming with detailed facts presented in lyrical, sophisticated, evocative language ... Text and image balance each other perfectly in their delicate yet powerful tone. An expert merging of knowledge with grace.' Books+Publishing

NOTABLE BOOK: 2023 CBCA Picture Book of the YearThis is the windthat carries the whisperfrom Ren's dream.This is the sailor,long at sea,who catches it.The multi-award-winning duo behind Iceberg returns! With its lyrical, cumulative text and whimsical, richly imagined artwork, Whisper on the Wind is a celebration of the wonders of the ocean and the power of love to find us - wherever we are.

WINNER: 2022 CBCA Picture Book of the YearNOTABLE BOOK: 2022 CBCA Book of the Year, Eve Pownall AwardIn the final freeze of an Antarctic winter, green tails wave across a star-full sky, as if to farewell endless nights. If this world looks empty, look closer ... Penguins trek across the ice to their winter homes. As the temperature warms, birds fly above on their long migrations. And with the advent of summer, beneath an iceberg, the sea is teeming with life. Ocean, sky, snow and ice - minute greens and giant blues - dance a delicate dance in this evocative portrayal of the life cycle of an iceberg.'Richly informative and brimming with detailed facts presented in lyrical, sophisticated, evocative language ... Text and image balance each other perfectly in their delicate yet powerful tone. An expert merging of knowledge with grace.' Books+Publishing

A fun, flip-over picture book for children that reads from both front and back. Smile/Cry is a unique picture book for young kids, showcasing the full emotional range of their formative years. Readers follow three adorable characters - piglet, bunny and cat - as they react emotionally to a variety of events and circumstances from everyday life. From an 'ate all the pies' smile to an 'ice-cream plopping down cry'; from a 'cosy under blanket smile' to a 'need a bandaid quick cry', children will empathize with the tear-jerking calamity of a popped balloon or lost toy, or feel the smiley warmth of a being tickled.It's the little things that touch the hearts of children the most, and Smile/Cry typifies both the small joys and challenges that are the essence of childhood. Young children will respond to the soft whimsical illustrations, as they learn more about the range of their emotions -- how it's possible to cry with happiness and also smile with trepidation. The clever 'flip book' format means that the 'Smile' story reads from front to back, while the 'Cry' story reads from back to front, with both delicious narratives meeting in the middle. A heartfelt picture book that will be treasured for years, Smile/Cry is perfect for ages 3 and upwards.