A Small Collection of Happinesses

'I enjoyed this strange, inventive and moving tale' DAVID ALMOND

An unforgettable story of friendship, hope and happiness from renowned Australian writer Zana Fraillon.

Are you ready? Are you listening? Something is about to begin.

When Ada arrives on the day of the Great Summer Storm, it is like the wind had picked her up and blown her in - walking stick and all - and dumped her right at the front gates of number 9 Hawkhurst Lane.

Unfortunately, Ada is not the kind of neighbour Hettie was hoping for. Cranky, impatient and a hater of cats, Ada has no intention of making friends.

But as the summer unfolds, Hettie and Ada discover they have more in common than they think. Could their unlikely friendship be the missing piece they never knew they needed?

With illustrations by Stephen Michael King.

'A gem of a book. The story is a powerful one of community and understanding, exploring deep themes with the lightest of touch - and warm humour. One of the best books I've read this year - I loved it' GILL LEWIS, author of Moonflight

'A beautiful story of friendship and love across generations for readers aged 12+ who enjoy Karen Foxlee and Kate DiCamillo's books' BOOKS+PUBLISHING

Zana Fraillon (Author)

Zana Fraillon (she/they) is an internationally acclaimed, multi-award-winning author of books for children and young adults.

Zana's books have won the Amnesty CILIP Honour Award, the ABIA Book of the Year for Older Children, the Readings YA Prize, NSW Premier's Literary Awards and the CBCA Honour Book Award. The Bone Sparrow was chosen as the biennial book to represent Australia for the International Board on Books for Young People.

Zana was born and lives in Naarm (Melbourne), but spent her early childhood in San Francisco. She has degrees in history and teaching and is undertaking a PhD in Creative Writing at La Trobe University.

Stephen Michael King (Illustrator)

Stephen Michael King has illustrated over 100 books and written many, including: Three, Blueberry Farm, Rainbow Bear and Mutt Dog!. His books are read worldwide and have won a myriad of awards, including the Prime Minister's Literary Award and the CBCA Book of the Year.

Stephen lives and shares a life with his wife, Trish. They happily live in a mud brick house on an island that touches the Pacific Ocean. Together, they curate a creative life (recently seen up ladders painting a mural in a nearby town).

They have two beautiful adult children and a varying number of dogs. Their ten-acre garden grows forest for visiting native wildlife.

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