Books by Dannika
Dannika writes beautiful books & presents highly engaging story-driven workshops for schools, libraries and community events.
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Australian Picture Books
Zoom
2024 - SEPTEMBER 1 RELEASE!
PICTURE BOOK
A deeply relatable, tenderly written and beautifully illustrated picture book about a boy whose troubles feel overwhelming.
Tom’s day at school was the worst. His troubles feel like looming storm clouds – they’re all he can see.
But then he picks up his grandfather’s old-fashioned camera and changes the focus and the view.
Tom recalls all the things that went wrong in his day, and zooms out to see a bigger picture …
A tender story about perspective, reframing, and resilience.
Hedgehog the Wonder Dog
2023
PICTURE BOOK
Hedgehog the Wonder Dog is a picture book full of heart, hope & furry, four-legged love.
Anyone can see that Hedgehog the Wonder Dog is no ordinary dog. Tell her to sit, & she’ll shake a paw; tell her to fetch & she rolls over. But it’s only kids like Sam who can sense her true superpowers. This is a story about the healing powers of wonder dogs & super brave kids.
Heavy
2023
PICTURE BOOK
A light-hearted story about carrying heavy loads & the strength to be found when women & girls find ways to lift each other up.
Heavy is an empowering children’s picture book about strong women & girls. It addresses burden-carrying in today’s world in a fun, age-appropriate, & accessible way, with lightness and humour.
I Can’t Wait to Play!
2023
PICTURE BOOK
I Can’t Wait to Play! is an enriching picture book commissioned by Play Matters Australia for families with young children that celebrates the world of play and children’s right to play.
From dressing up, to pulling faces, to dancing down the grocery aisles, the types of joyful and accessible play featured in I Can’t Wait to Play! provide inspiration for young families to find incidental opportunities to fit more play into their everyday lives. This book’s bright, high-contrast illustrations have been intentionally designed to appeal to children specifically in the 0-5 year-old age group.
Play is essential for nurturing children's brain development.
It's the gateway to learning and growth. It's the state of mind in which children and adults alike find joy and connection.
The first 1000 days of a child's life are a critical period for their development and play is scientifically proven to help children's brain development. "Play is the work kids needs to do!”
Ideal read-aloud for children 2-5 years of age.
Beach Kindy
2020
PICTURE BOOK
Come with us to a place where anything is possible…
Where swashbuckling sea captains & puddle-jumping champions play together.
Where spells are cast in the sand & chefs cook seaweed soup for superheroes.
Join Billie, her butterflies & her friends as they discover the amazing place that is…Beach Kindy!
Scribbly Gum Secrets
2020
PICTURE BOOK
Scribbly Gum Secrets is illustrated by Megan Forward & published by Ford Street Publishing.
This story follows Charlie, Layla, Cooper and Max as they take a walk through the Australian bush discovering a world full of natural wonders. However, little Charlie’s mind is focused on one thing…Who, or what has made those marks on the bark of the scribbly gum trees?
SeaSpray17
2019
POETRY COLLECTION
SeaSpray17: Ocean Photography & Haiku Poetry is a collaboration with award-winning Australian Ocean Photographer, Kian Bates.
SeaSpray17 celebrates the sea. It is a collection of 17 ocean images paired with 17 haiku poems (each with 17 syllables each).
The perfect gift book for ocean-lovers, this book holds wide appeal & is recommended for ages 6 – 106. There is a theme of ocean appreciation and conservation throughout this book.
Jacaranda Magic
2018
PICTURE BOOK
Dannika’s debut children’s picture book Jacaranda Magic was published by Ford Street Publishing & released on September 1 2018.
More than a joyful picture book that celebrates beauty in nature & the power of imagination, Jacaranda Magic is a dynamic tool to help parents & educators explore the value of boredom & encourage imaginative outdoor play.
Signed Books for Schools
School libraries LOVE to add author-signed books to their collections.
International Commissions
Look at That!
2022
(Solomon Islands)
EARLY READER
A child and his parents in a rainforest.
This book is part of a culturally diverse library collection, offering a levelled reading runway to help boost literacy & encourage a love of reading.
Your purchase of this book supports Library For All in its mission to make knowledge available to all, equally.
Access this title via Library for All's free digital App Learn more at Library For All.
Sera, the Shell & the Storm
2021
(Fiji & UK)
PICTURE BOOK
Sera & Joe have seen many storms before but when the island’s animals fall silent, Sera knows something is wrong…will they make it home before the giant storm hits the island?
Sera, the Shell, and the Storm was inspired by the real-life stories of children in Fiji, after living through Cyclone Winston.
More information and resources on talking to kids about cyclone preparedness & recovery from Wonderbooks UK.
Behind the scenes of the illustration process with illustrator Jamie Bauza.
A Cyclone Called Celia
2020
(Papua New Guinea & Pacific Island Regions)
EARLY READER
The following book is part of an educational national disaster series for Library for All, available in a number of regions.
William's sister Celia is causing as much mess as a cyclone!
Your purchase of this book supports Library For All in its mission to make knowledge available to all, equally.
Access this title via Library for All's free digital App Learn more at Library For All
Giving
2020
(Hong Kong)
PICTURE BOOK
Commissioned by DMind & The Prince (Hong Kong), this picture book story was written for young children aged 4-8 to help them understand the concept of ‘giving’ & how donating things we no longer need to others or to charity can benefit individuals as well as our environment.
This story was illustrated by Jessica Ciccolone, from Italy.
Behind the scenes of the illustration process with illustrator Jessica Ciccolone.
Day & Night
2020
(Hong Kong)
PICTURE BOOK
Commissioned by DMind & The Prince (Hong Kong), this story was written for young children aged 3-5 to demonstrate the differences and transitions between day & night, light & dark and city & country.
Day & Night is the story of Miki’s first camping trip with her family. It follows the activity of her early-morning rise in her city apartment to falling asleep in the forest under a blanket of stars.
Between the Cracks
2019
(Papua New Guinea & Drought Impacted Regions)
GRAPHIC NOVEL
The following book is part of an educational national disaster series for Library for All, available in a number of regions.
Amaya's village has been in drought for a long time. She hopes the rain will come soon.
Your purchase of this book supports Library For All in its mission to make knowledge available to all, equally.
Project Volcano
2019
(Papua New Guinea & Volcano Impacted Regions)
GRAPHIC NOVEL
The following book is part of an educational national disaster series for Library for All, available in a number of regions.
The volcano by our house is smoking! Does that mean it's going to erupt? What are we going to do if it does erupt?
Your purchase of this book supports Library For All in its mission to make knowledge available to all, equally.
My Tribe
2019
PICTURE BOOK
My Tribe is a mid-level reader published by Library For All that contains fun animal facts and collective nouns with a gentle message of celebrating diversity.
Illustrated by Nici Brockwell, there is also a range of My Tribe merchandise (mugs, bags, phone cases, clothing, etc) available via Red Bubble.
My Tribe has been published in English and Lao.
A Special Teacher Gift
Searching for a way to say ‘Thanks!’ to a wonderful kindergarten or primary school teacher? An author-signed picture book with a personalised message beats an apple, any day!
Anthologies
Every year Dannika donates time & words to support great causes. Sometimes, donated pieces end up in fundraising anthologies, like the ones listed below. Profits from sales of these titles help support specific charities & foundations. They can be purchased via the links below.
It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas
2018
ANTHOLOGY
An anthology of short stories and poetry celebrating the spirit of Christmas, to raise funds for transportation for trainee teachers in Tanzania.
Published by Share Your Story in 2018.
From Santa in his underwear to Christmas bellyaches, this anthology is packed with Yuletide happiness that will bring smiles for young families during the most magical time of the year. My poem 'Where the Mistletoe Grows' appears within.
Spooktacular Stories
2019
ANTHOLOGY
An anthology of thrilling tales for brave kids, to raise funds for children having long stays in Australian hospitals. Published by Share Your Story in 2019.
I wrote a 'A Protection Poem for Brave Readers' as the preface to this book (because I'm a scaredy cat & I don't do spooky!). Perfect to read around Halloween, inside you will find spooktacular stories of all kinds: uncanny acts & creepy tales, bumps in the night and things that wail.
Once Upon A WHOOPS! Fractured Fairytales & Ridiculous Rhymes
2021
ANTHOLOGY
An anthology of fractured fairy tales & not-quite-right nursery rhymes by Australian authors to raise funds for Life's Little Treasures Foundation's Sibling Story Time, published by Share Your Story Anthology Angels in 2021.
My reinterpreted nursery rhyme, 'Little Miss Muffet LOVED Spiders' is within.