Literally Hilarious! – Families Gone Wild

There’s a new collection of stories, poems, jokes and activities for children presented by Daisy Lane Seeds & Just Write for Kids Australia | 22 August 2026 | $17.99 | Original paperback A5 | ISBN 9781763670082 | Ages 6 - 9

 Created by a sensational community of talented authors and illustrators,

 Literally Hilarious! – Families Gone Wild

is a bumper collection of hilarious family short

stories, poems, jokes and other fun activities!

              You’ll find the FUNNIEST,

              MOST EMBARRASSING,

              yet purely HEARTWARMING tales to  literally keep your eyes peeled and your

              ribs cracking for hours!

              Families will go WILD for this anthology!

Key Features:

·        This interactive, illustrated book for junior

              fiction readers includes short chapters,

              engaging language, easy readability, and

              lots of lively action!

·        Each story contains its own unique QR code to take readers to a dedicated website loaded with activities, games and teachable moments.

·        The stories encourage reflection, discussion, and appreciation of their own and other kinds of families, whilst finding the humour in everyday life.

·        A percentage of sales proceeds is donated to The Indigenous Literacy Foundation.

·        With a foreword and short story by NY Times #1 Bestselling Author Adam Wallace.

Anthology Contributors:

Adam Wallace – Ali Rutstein – Andrew Macintosh – Angela Toniolo – Antonia Ridge – Ayla Cohen – Dannielle Viera – Debra Tidball –

Dianne Bates – Di Scotte – Jacinta Lou – Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern –

Jason Secker – Jennifer Horn – Jeremy Kalbstein – Kelly Louise Jarris – Kirsten Temple – Laura Young – Lellie Lopter – Marg Gibbs –

Mietta Postlethwaite – Norah Colvin – Olivia Coates – Rachael Robertson – Rachel Bell – Rebecca Fraser – Romi Sharp – Steve Heron

Praise for the anthology:

“So many funny stories that I’m sure will inspire comments like, “That’s just like my dad!”, “My mum says that all the time!”, and “My uncle's beard is even weirder than Steve’s!”

“Even though there are no triplets, pet geese or robot dogs in my family, I could still relate to every single side-splitting story!”

“This book is jam-packed with family stories that are short, sharp and very funny!”

“Interactive fun for the whole family!”

DAVID LAWRENCE, AUTHOR & INDIGENOUS LITERACY FOUNDATION AMBASSADOR

“SO much fun to read! Kids will love it!”

CAMERON MACINTOSH, CHILDREN’S AUTHOR

 

 

 

 

 

 

Somewhere Lost

Somewhere Lost by Just Write For Kids Australia and Friends (Daisy Lane Publishing/Just Write For Kids Australia) HB RRP $26.99 ISBN: 9781763670051

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

Walter the duck has ‘a terrible sense of direction’. Luckily his friend, Scout the frog, always keeps him ‘on track’. Until the day that Walter loses Scout! As the befuddled duck meanders through a multitude of magnificent realms – from a snowy forest and a sandy desert to smelly Sockville – he becomes more and more determined to keep going until he finds his little green pal.

Written and illustrated by a wealth of talented Australian creatives, Somewhere Lost is a love letter to the imagination. The simple storyline introduces two charming characters that four-to eight-year-olds are sure to fall in love with. Lyrical language and pops of poetry are scattered across the spreads like lustrous literary gems for youngsters to discover.

Each dynamic and delightful illustration has been created by a different artist in their own unique style. This choice could have been jarring, but instead it adds a unique layer of excitement to the reading of the book. Kids will never know what they’re about to see until they turn the page: the jumble of a collage jungle … swirls of worry in Walter’s head … a rippling reflective ocean of purples and blues. There’s a surprise around every corner. 

Children will adore wandering through wonderful worlds with Walter. But, more importantly, they will cheer when his choice to carry on eventually leads him to Scout. This subtle lesson in the power of persistence is certainly worth getting lost for!