ALEESAH DARLISON
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PICTURE BOOKS

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Blue: Dragon of the Sea

Meet Blue, a Dragon of the Sea! He's also known as a nudibranch or sea slug. Blue's fleet roam the ocean, gliding on the currents, and dancing their way through dangerous adventures. Join Blue and his fellow dragons as they explore the sea!

Released 1 February 2026. Order now!

Publisher:
 Wombat Books

Teacher's Notes Available HERE.
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More information about Blue:
Blue: Dragon of the Sea is a vibrant, fact-filled picture book that introduces young readers to the strange and fascinating world of the blue glaucus—a real-life sea creature also known as a sea slug or sea dragon. Through engaging text and expressive, humorous illustrations, the book invites curiosity about marine life while blending storytelling with scientific discovery. Teachers can use Blue: Dragon of the Sea to explore themes of biodiversity, ecosystems, adaptation, and the importance of environmental stewardship with primary school students.

At its heart, Blue: Dragon of the Sea celebrates the wonder of nature and the diversity of life beneath the waves. It encourages children to look closely at the natural world and challenges them to see value in even the smallest or strangest creatures. The story of Blue, a tiny but powerful ocean predator, opens the door to
rich discussions about how every organism plays a role in its ecosystem, reinforcing early understandings of food chains, habitats, and interdependence in nature.


Reviews for Blue:
Blue: Dragon of the Sea is an engaging narrative non-fiction picture book that will fascinate young readers. With a touch of humour and a lot of blue, the nudibranch and friends will delight with their exploration of the ocean while providing an opportunity to learn facts about this little known sea creature.

Pronounced ‘nudi-brank’ which means naked gills, it is also known as a sea slug and comes in all shapes, colours and sizes. In fact, there are over 3000 types. The nudibranch discussed in this story is a blue glaucus which can easily camouflage in the ocean. It is also known as a Sea Swallow, Blue Angel and a Blue Dragon. They are barely three centimetres long, have boy and girl parts and do not have brains. They float belly up and glide on the current. So many new and interesting facts for children to learn and remember.

The gorgeous cheeky illustrations in coloured pencils, markers and watercolour perfectly complement the often humorous text and the movement of words through the rolling seas is beautifully crafted.  As well as being full of information, the overall presentation makes this story not only a visual treat but also an enjoyable and accessible way to impart new knowledge.
Kathryn Beilby, ReadPlus

Have you ever heard of sea slugs or a nudibranch? Well, that’s what Blue is. He lives in the ocean with his friends and fleet, gliding on currents and dancing through the water as they explore the seas. Blue is curious, but it feels like the other sea creatures aren’t sure about him. He is learning about the ocean, himself and what is to come. There are dangers out there, like currents he doesn’t expect, and rubbish thrown I carelessly. But Blue’s journey is about discovering things.

And it’s about teaching readers what life is like under the sea, where humans rarely get to go. The coral, crabs and other fish come to life around Blue, showing the diversity of the sea whilst also learning about Blue, a nudibranch, a sea slug, a dragon of the sea. These ones don’t breathe fire, yet they are still an amazing part of the ocean ecosystem. They have naked gills, and there are over 3,000 known nudibranch species, so our Blue in this book is one of them. And he’s here to introduce
you to his fascinating species.

What makes this book good is its accessibility and personification of Blue, so kids can understand that creatures like him have a place in the ecosystem. It’s a good starting point too, as it can prompt kids – and adults – to do further research to find out more about nudibranchs and how they fit into the ocean ecosystem.

It's simply told through Blue’s perspective, and Aleesah’s words work well with Tamlyn’s illustrations to tell the story. The sea comes to life, as do the threats it faces, like pollution. A timely reminder to keep rubbish out of the waterways. But most importantly, this is a fun and beautiful book. One to be treasured and adored, and a great way to start learning about something new. A great picture book!
Ashleigh Meikle, The Book Muse


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Clara Capybara

Clara is the cutest little capybara in the forest and she LOVES pleasing others.
But Clara is so busy taking care of everyone else, she forgets to look after herself.
Can she find a balance between being kind to others and being kind to herself?

Released 1 July 2025. Order now!

Publisher: Wombat Books

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Coral

From the moment of her birth, Coral’s life is filled with wonder, danger and adventure. Swim with Coral and her pod through an underwater paradise.
Discover dazzling, delightful dolphins!


Publisher: Wild Eyed Press
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The Daddy Shop

The Father and Son Picnic is coming up, but Daddy can't go with Tai because he's working. When Tai hears about The Daddy Shop, he takes matters into his own paws and tries out some new daddies. Around-the-House Daddy loves doing chores and Out-and-About Daddy plays all day long. But which daddy will be the best one for Tai? The Daddy Shop is a big-hearted tale that celebrates daddies everywhere.

Publisher: Wombat Books

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The Dream Bird

George is a day child. He rollicks and romps in the light. But at night, he struggles to sleep. So Gran tells George about the wonderful Dream Bird who sings children to sleep and helps them have the most wonderful dreams. Will the Dream Bird's magic work on George? And can you guess Gran's special secret? ​

​A stunning bedtime story filled with magic and wonder reminiscent of Mother Goose and classic fairytales. This enchanting story with its breath-taking illustrations by Emma Middleton will enchant even the wildest child.

Publisher: Wombat Books​
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Fox & Moonbeam

It is Victorian England and Gerard Fox winds clocks for the queen. His lowly status means he lives in a world forever surrounded by shadows. Mademoiselle Moonbeam Lapin is a famous ballerina. She lives in the golden glow of stage lights.

​When Moonbeam offers Fox her friendship, both of their worlds are transformed forever. Beautifully written and lavishly illustrated, Fox and Moonbeam is an enchanting tale of friendship, self-belief and finding the courage to step into the light.


Publisher: Wombat Books
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Emerald: The Green Turtle's Tale

Emerald the Green Turtle hatches from her egg and, with her many sisters, makes her perilous journey to the beckoning sea. An Endangered Species Wildlife Book published by Wild Eyed Press and beautifully illustrated Leanne White. ​This book was shortlisted for the 2018 Speech Pathology Book of the Year Awards.

Publisher: Wild Eyed Press
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Stripes in the Forest

Told from the perspective of the last wild, female thylacine, Stripes in the Forest provides readers with an insight into the rare beauty and uniqueness of these amazing animals, explains their fight for survival and provides important lessons for future generations. An emotive and moving story, children will connect with the solitary, stoic and courageous female thylacine who does all she can to protect her young.

Publisher: Big Sky Publishing
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  • Home
    • About
    • Events
  • Series
    • Endangered Animal Tales
    • League of Llamas
    • Super Sloth Series
    • Other Series by Aleesah Darlison
  • Novels
  • Picture Books
  • Resources
  • Contact