Books by Linda Ruth Brooks

Living with someone on the autism spectrum is like watching a child trying to play hopscotch when they can't see the squares, and everyone else can.This new compilation of I'm not broken, I'm just different & Wings to fly takes us to the heart of living with a child with on the autism spectrum. This latest edition of the book has also been published as Don't read this book by my mother - she's crazy. However, for early fans of Brooks' books on Asperger's it will be welcome news to find both books available in the one volume in the previous familiar style and title. Brooks chronicles her life with her son from his birth, covering the early years, and the teen years through to adulthood-ending with his fearless flight into manhood. The last section, focuses on the struggles faced by adults on the spectrum and their families in an informative, scientific approach.In an unflinching account Brooks poignantly captures the struggle of living with a child who appears to see the world through broken glass. A roller coaster ride from the bizarre to the obscene, encompassing the poetic and the hilarious, heartache and joy. The narrative embraces the muddled stumbling between two worlds-worlds that seem so desperately different at first glance. About a boy obsessed with the unfathomable and a mother obsessed with understanding him. This book is a celebration.

In a land as harsh on its wildlife as its peoples, humans have a unique guardianship for the fauna and flora of the landscape. As a child I hated seeing any creature confined, but during the recent wildfire season we've seen the interdependence between us, as birds and animals have sought our care. Many people responded, with sanctuaries, care stations and animal hospitals springing into action. Australians have prioritised pets and wildlife over property. The world, looking on in horror has reached out-from donations to simple kind acts, like making koala mittens. As Australians, we are island-isolated but with the reaction around the globe, we know we're not alone. Australia's favourite bush animals, birdlife and lizards, known and loved around the world are included in this artistic collection in watercolour, pencil and digital art.

In a land as harsh on its wildlife as its peoples, humans have a unique guardianship for the fauna and flora of the landscape. As a child I hated seeing any creature confined, but during the recent wildfire season we've seen the interdependence between us, as birds and animals have sought our care. Many people responded, with sanctuaries, care stations and animal hospitals springing into action. Australians have prioritised pets and wildlife over property. The world, looking on in horror has reached out-from donations to simple kind acts, like making koala mittens. As Australians, we are island-isolated but with the reaction around the globe, we know we're not alone. Australia's favourite bush animals, birdlife and lizards, known and loved around the world are included in this artistic collection in watercolour, pencil and digital art.

It's 1914 and nine year old Henrietta Eloise Parsons is sick of a war that's only just getting started. Father, a senior editor at the Sydney Morning Herald is hardly ever seen without a newspaper in front of his frowning face, and Mother has suddenly taken an interest in activities she haughtily refers to as The War Effort. As far as Henrietta can see, this involves a lot of high teas, committees about cake, how to motivate housewives to knit socks for soldiers and make care packages for the troops.The war has been called The Great War as if it was an event like the Olympic Games, with parades, medals and ribbons. As far as Henrietta is concerned, it's a crummy war. It's just like a schoolyard brawl where all the boys join in, with torn shirts, bloody noses and filthy uniforms from rolling in the dirt, then, when they're lined up in the principal's office none of them can remember why they were fighting or what stupid thing started the whole mess.Henrietta's parents have decided that she will spend the duration of war far away in the country in South Australia with her grandparents, who she hardly remembers. To be sent away with her mother's silly maid, Daisy, is enough to push Henrietta to the end of her puny patience. But go she must. To a small country town where nothing is as she expected.

None of the young animals had noticed that the water in the billabong was higher than usual. Certainly not Blue Roo who was bouncing awkwardly along the log that went from one side of the Banyula billabong to the other.What they had noticed, couldn't fail to notice, was that it had been raining for days, and days. Wesley Wombat worried if there would be enough food. Kyle Koala didn't like too much water falling from the sky.Peter Platypus didn't care how much water there was, he hoped that Blue would fall off the log into the billabong. Maybe that would teach the silly joey a lesson.Serena Sugar Glider, who was usually calm and, well … serene, came running into Banyula and burst into tears. Soon after Freya Frill-Neck scuttled in from the desert, her frill in fright mode.What was happening in Banyula?

Katie Kookaburra was bored. Kyle Koala nibbled on a sweet red-tipped leaf while Callan Chameleon played with a soft, white feather.'G'day. Wassup?' Blue Roo bounced up.'Nothing.' Kate sighed.Blue groaned. ''Hate doing nothing. Wanna go the Red Quandong?''Sure.' Katie flew down from the branch and sat next to Blue.'Righto,! Blue jumped and tripped over Tyson Turtle.Along the way a new plan was made. Later on, there'd be an argument over whose idea it was…but they decided to go to the blue quandong tree instead-in the Dark Forest.Things got a bit complicated on the return journey. Katie was sure they took the left fork in the track but Blue Roo said that was rubbish.The argument got louder as clouds crept across the sky, dulling the little light that shone through the trees.Then they heard a thunderous noise...

A hot westerly wind rushed through Dry Gully, swirling through the trees, shaking branches and rattling leaves.Things began to blow in on the wind. Lots and lots of things. Blue tried to catch one of the things, but the wind was too fast. Leaves, twigs and dust twisted and spiralled on the wind, stinging their eyes.The animals became afraid. Kyle ran to top of his tree. Tyson stood still and stared. Wesley looked glum. Emily quickly rolled into a ball. Fleur and Serena huddled together, shivering. Freya's frill flew up.Above the noise of the roaring wind, a whoosh was heard, not like the wail of the wind, something else, something large.It was Hawk. He stepped along a branch overhanging the billabong. 'Where are your parents? We need to sound an alarm.''Alarm! Alarm!' shrieked Katie. 'Oh no!'Tick grey dust whirled in, making them cough and splutter.'The clouds have fallen! The clouds have fallen!' Kyle Koala yelled.

Where's your mother?Not well today. Said carefully and neutrally, as if pretending things were normal would make them so. Transform life into a manageable thing. As if ten year olds everywhere were the ladies of the house, the caretakers of the family.I see.Mrs Blakehurst, their babysitter from up the road was on the stoop. She had brought the youngest two. Kate knew it was important to use her grown up voice, through a narrow slit in the door.Thank you, Mrs Blakehurst. Here is your pay.Father didn't change the rhythm, so that helped make it normal. Though deep inside a much younger Kate screamed that it was not. But Emily, Daniel and Sara's voices were louder. Some inner sense stopped Kate from calling them 'the children' as was her mother's custom. She was even particular that she called them in order of their age, oldest to youngest, as if by this precision she could push back the chaos that hovered like a patient bird of prey.Brooks explores the internal dilemma of a child compelled to become parent to a mentally unstable mother, as well as the guardian of her three younger siblings. With fearless candour, Linda peels back the layers of a child with adult responsibilities. What becomes of Kate when the years fall by and she reaches adulthood? Can the child within be denied voice?

The young Banyula animals finally believe Serena Sugar Glider's adventure stories when she takes them to see the Blue Quandong. Kyle Koala sleeps through the whole thing and Callan the Chameleon stays home to count his feathers. Despite many misgivings Ben Bowerbird joins in. Blue Roo makes everyone tired by leaping and bouncing in their way. Kate Kookaburra gives a running commentary on the journey and only keeps quiet when she is mimicked by a lyre bird in the bush. Wesley Wombat walks further than ever before, for the mysterious fruit of the blue quandong tree beyond the dense scrub in the deep forest. Their journey is interrupted by a strange, angry creature with huge thumping feet. A creature they never want to see again!

On sunset, an orange-red sun dipped behind Craggy Rock in the west. A flock of yellow-crested cockatoos flew to the wattle tree to feed on black seed pods.A young male Gang Gang cockatoo, with beautiful, dove-grey feathers, black eyes and a red plume pecked at pods on the ground.'Why is he eating off the ground, not from the tree?' Katie Kookaburra watched the bird eat quickly, glancing nervously around.The cockatoos flew in circles, taunting him. He clung to the tree trunk and hung his head. Two of the bolder birds flew close, pulling at his feathers. Then they flew away, seeking a tree for the night.Freya Frill Neck watched the gang-gang fade into the sunset, trailing behind, trying as hard as he could to keep up. Behind her, to the north, Purple Mountain glowed with soft red hues.Freya had trouble falling asleep. Visions of the lost Gang Gang flitted through her dreams and she awoke tired and unsettled.

It's 1914 and nine year old Henrietta Eloise Parsons is sick of a war that's only just getting started. Father, a senior editor at the Sydney Morning Herald is hardly ever seen without a newspaper in front of his frowning face, and Mother has suddenly taken an interest in activities she haughtily refers to as The War Effort. As far as Henrietta can see, this involves a lot of high teas, committees about cake, how to motivate housewives to knit socks for soldiers and make care packages for the troops.The war has been called The Great War as if it was an event like the Olympic Games, with parades, medals and ribbons. As far as Henrietta is concerned, it's a crummy war. It's just like a schoolyard brawl where all the boys join in, with torn shirts, bloody noses and filthy uniforms from rolling in the dirt, then, when they're lined up in the principal's office none of them can remember why they were fighting or what stupid thing started the whole mess.Henrietta's parents have decided that she will spend the duration of war far away in the country in South Australia with her grandparents, who she hardly remembers. To be sent away with her mother's silly maid, Daisy, is enough to push Henrietta to the end of her puny patience. But go she must. To a small country town where nothing is as she expected.

I am Madame Iris BigglesworthI'm a Very Important CatIn the kingdom where I liveThere's no dispute about thatA book poem about a superior cat with elegant airs and two fine servants, Kyle and Jemina. She has many adventures including a green space creature that arrives in the dark night.

Living with someone on the autism spectrum is like watching a child trying to play hopscotch when they can't see the squares, and everyone else can. Linda's book takes us to the heart of living with a child with on the autism spectrum, inviting us to see life through the eyes of others. Brooks chronicles her life with her son from his birth, covering the early years, and the teen years through to adulthood-ending with his fearless flight into manhood. The last section focuses on the struggles faced by adults on the spectrum and their families with an informative, scientific approach. In an unflinching account Brooks poignantly captures the struggle of living with a child who appears to see the world through broken glass. A roller coaster ride from the bizarre to the obscene, encompassing the poetic and the hilarious, heartache and joy. The narrative embraces the muddled stumbling between two worlds-worlds that seem so desperately different at first glance. This is a story bout a boy obsessed with the unfathomable and a mother obsessed with understanding him. This book is about celebration. This book is also published as I'm not broken, I'm just different & Wings to fly. I am very pleased to be involved with Linda's book. I think we both have a very important message and I certainly endorse Linda's positive approach. I know it will change the lives of many families. Professor Tony AttwoodAs a counsellor I have discovered a number of special pearls, a couple of which are found in Linda and Bronson's journey. This is a timely book with a special message. I believe Linda and I met for a purpose. I have read the manuscript and feel this is her gift to other parents. Dr Steele FitchettThis is a long awaited book. Linda and Bronson have a great relationship; it's entertaining to watch them bounce off each other. I once remarked to Linda, describing her parenthood-'You enjoy him and that is one of the finest assets of a mother that you offer, regardless of how he reacts.' Dr Jay

Izzy has just turned five years old. It will soon be time to start school. She had a really wonderful birthday party with her friends. Now, Mum and Dad have brought home a baby brother. Izzy likes her new brother, but she is bored playing on her own. She decides to take her cat, Pudding, for a walk in the new pram, but she has forgotten the rule about being safe.When she gets lost in the city streets, it is Pudding who helps her find her way home. Mum and Dad are really worried. Izzy is very tired. It has been quite an adventure for a little girl.

Bella was very confused. It was nearly Christmas Day and there were no presents under the tree in their house. Both her parents had been acting a little odd.No matter how hard she tried, Bella couldn't find any sign of Christmas coming to her house this year. Her friends were all very excited about what they were going to get, but no-one was talking about it at her place. She tried very hard to be good, knowing how important it was when staying on Santa's list of 'nice' children. But still the space under the Christmas tree was bare.Had Christmas been cancelled at her house? Or worse still, had someone stolen Christmas?

Tabby was the tiniest kitten Chelsea ever had.She fed the kitten with a small syringe. Tabby needed so much love. Tabby meowed and cried through the night.Chelsea woke and fed her. It wasn't long before Tabby put weight on. She had a big appetite for a tiny kitten. She also had a talent for mischief.Tabby developed one very alarming habit that nearly made a nervous wreck out of Georgia's Mum.In this ageless story of the love of a girl for her cat, Tabby, we relive our connection with animals, and the joy of childhood. Brooks brings wit and charm to a warm-hearted tale.

Fraser is a shy frog. He has just moved with his mum and dad to a new pond. Meeting new frogs make him nervous. When he's nervous he hiccups. When he hiccups all sorts of things happen.How will he make new friends?

Fraser is a shy frog. He has just moved with his mum and dad to a new pond. Meeting new frogs make him nervous. When he's nervous he hiccups. When he hiccups all sorts of things happen. How will he make new friends?

In this uniquely Australian anthology of short stories we traverse the country known by Australians as the 'wide brown land'. You will be introduced to a Bachelors & Spinsters Ball, memories of yesteryear's Cracker Nights, Aussie nicknames and the dangers of our wildlife, all written by gifted sassy women who have learned to live in a harsh, unforgiving land with irreverent humour, optimism and grace. The women in this collection bring boundless energy and imagination with sharp observation. They skilfully explore life with poignancy, wry humour and a crisp flair for suspense, delivering a lively read that will not disappoint, as the authors embrace life in it's chaos, beauty and hilarity. Features: Christina Batey, Linda Ruth Brooks, Julie Cochrane, Louise Elizabeth, Mary Gabb, Jo Hanrahan, Marilyn Linn, Neridah Kentwell, Jane McLean, Helen Marshall, Victoria Norton, Rina Robinson, Jo Tregellis, Linda Visman, Pauline Young.

In Australia there are a number of iconic buildings and structures, including the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and a number of churches and town halls.Australian sheds are equally iconic and represent a way of life unique to this country. Our sheds have many forms ranging from hay sheds, farm sheds, chook sheds, backyard sheds. Then there are woolsheds, (also known as shearing sheds) where sheep are fleeced. And, of course, there is that big shed in Canberra, Parliament House, from where the population is fleeced.

They met on New Year's Eve-the most romantic night of the year. Jack Devon is in town to present a prize on the Sydney Harbour foreshore. He's enchanted by a free-spirted woman organising a photo shoot for her friend's catering business. She foils his attempts to charm her and asks if he was named after a ham sandwich. That's when Jack knows he wants her. He's thrilled when Chelsea is the prize winner.Chelsea Prentiss isn't impressed. She's won a prize she doesn't want-a week in Surfer's Paradise on the set of a soap opera she detests. To make matters worse, the man Chelsea has to spend the week with is Jack, an arrogant stuffed shirt who reminds her of her shallow, charming father.Brooks turns romance on its head in the exotic paradise of the Gold Coast of Australia. Humour, passion and enduring love combine to bring Chelsea and Jack's unique story.

There's a randomness and whimsy to this collection, and anyone familiar with Linda, will expect exactly that. It is also represented in the cover art-a zentangle, aptly name 'Goldfish in the Garden'.Prose begins at a nurses' reunion where the usual entertainments slip away as Pathfinder Robyn astounds the normally unflappable Marilyn and everyone else with a tale as disjointed as ever was told. A difficult childhood, a fascinating life, related with warmth and received with hilarity. Monica is voted Google-On-Legs for her encyclopaedic knowledge of life's goings on.A boy learns the beauty of the legacy of his great-uncles. A patient Indian Postmaster goes to great lengths to explain the parcel post system to an insistent customer. Jenny grieves a son on Mother's Day. Brooks shares memories of a muddy creek, a barbed wire fence and the angst and joys of growing up.Linda steps into a Jane Austen world and is maid at an elegant mansion in leafy upper-crust Sydney's North Shore and learns the rules for the help haven't changed much. In spite of his best intentions, an angry man becomes like his brutal father. A top-lofty son is embarrassed by his gentle mother's dementia and receives a lesson in grace. A vigilante tenant prunes a hedge and the neighbourhood is not amused.Brooks shares her award winning stories: 'The loud clock' (Coastlines 6, Southern Cross University), 'That Madness' (Legacy University Prize), 'Anyone but him, God' (Gabe Reynaud Award), 'Ancient Grief' (Grieve, Newcastle Writers Centre), 'A far place' (Stringybark Press), 'Dad's apprentice' (Wood, Brick & Stone, Catchfire Press), and 'The wall is blue (Coastlines 5, Southern Cross University).

A white blanket of snow lay deep on the ground. Blistering cold winds brought sheet after sheet of swirling snowflakes. The 7.45 from Astonville was late. The clanking steam train only came twice a day.The town had once set their clocks by its arrival, but that was before the war. The women who lived in the valley just out of town noticed its lateness first. They put their children to bed by the sound of the whistle and the trail of steam behind the ancient grinding engine.However, they had other things to concern them. Ever since war broke out the routine of their daily lives had become unpredictable in so many ways.Now the war was over, but not the waiting.';Come away from the window, Beth,' begged her mother in a tired voice. ';You are fogging up the whole front window.'Beth sighed and stepped back a little, eyeing the circles of cloud her breath made on the glass. Grown-ups were so tiresome, she thought. Sometimes they didn't understand anything at all. Her mother had told her a hundred times that looking out that window wouldn't make her father come home any quicker. Truth be told, none of them knew whether Peter Renshaw had even survived the war, much less when he was coming home.Beth was too young to know that it wasn't her tireless vigil that irritated Miriam, her mother, but it was the visible hope that shone on her daughter's face that pained Miriam. A hope that mirrored her own. A hope buried deep inside a woman weary with waiting and exhausted from caring for three children. A woman with the toil-worn hands of a man.

Earthquake, a National Disaster Area and a volcano are all here. Along with friendships, partings, love and estrangement-the gamut of the human experience.We meet an indigenous family fighting to learn the truth about a loved one's death while serving his country. A son remembers a war-weary father who marched the Kokoda Trail, and a mother shares the joy of her three children. We pay tribute to the Stolen Generation and warriors defending the gentle giants of the sea-our whales. We share the love of a wife requesting her husband's surgeon to take care of her lover's heart and a family's devotion to a disabled son, with a unique gift for poetry, and deep insights into life.We read about the innocent joys of childhood, the love of grandparents and the extended family. So, here we are to share the kitchen pots, the tools of trade, the building of homes, living with hardship and the experience of integrating with other cultures. We hope that you will enjoy these stories and the journey back along memory lane, and realise that we are all a part of life's 'living history'.

Brady Harcourt returns to his hometown with his teenage daughter, Ebony, three years after the death of his wife. But instead of being the answer to his problems, the seachange looks like unravelling his family. Nothing is the way he remembered it. To make matters worse, he has to deal with Emma, a community nurse who'd give a Bolshevik a run for their money.Fifteen year old Ebony Harcourt is angry with her father. He's turned into Dadzilla. Leaving his corporate job and city life for what? He's obviously lost the plot. Enlisting the help of her feisty friend Jenna, she embarks on a quest to find answers about her mother's death. In their fearless efforts to uncover the truth, the girls stir up the locals and find trouble at every turn.Emma Tesler knows too much about the lives of everyone in the small seaside town of Noarlunga. She keeps their secrets well, although at times she has to bite her tongue. This is no mean feat for open hearted Emma. When Brady Harcourt arrives in town, her composure is sorely tested.Scarlett doesn't live here anymore reaches honestly into the issue of grieving. With her trademark humour and sharp observation, Linda weaves a tale of the adjustment and crossed purposes that come with loss. She brings the narrative to life with a unique cast of interesting characters, that all have their secrets, joys and dilemmas. In this deeply human story, we find peace, redemption, risk and resolution.

Callan the Chameleon lived in a tall lilly pilly tree with pink tipped leaves. The leaves of the lilly pilly tree grow very thick. Callan felt safe in the rustling tree that was home.Uniquely Australian, this story revolves around Callan and his bush animal friends, Emily the Echidna, Kyle the Koala, Katie the Kookaburra, Wesley the Wombat, Freya the Frilled Necked Lizard and other Australian animals. The book is illustrated with stunning pencil and watercolour artwork.

Georgia hides under the bracken fern. Her mother hits her to make her good. The nice man down the road gives her lollies that make her sleepy. Sometimes her brother Jackson hides her in his wardrobe. Her best friend Mittens the cat, listens to all her secrets. On her first day at school her special pencils are stolen. Afraid she will be in very big trouble, she runs away to the bracken fern that grows tall by the whispering creek, where the bower bird struts with his prize of blue buttons and the magpie feeds her babies. It is her safe place. She doesn't know about "real" safe places or that these things shouldn't be happening to her. When Miss Nelson, her teacher, finds her hiding place Georgia is even more afraid.Once in every lifetime, we should all see life through the eyes of a five year old child, hear their voice, sense the world through the unique perception of childhood. For to do this, is to perceive what they cannot know, protect them from what they cannot understand, so they don't have to hide. We are all guardians; every one.

Georgia hides under the bracken fern. Her mother hits her to make her good. The nice man down the road gives her lollies that make her sleepy. Sometimes her brother Jackson hides her in his wardrobe. Her best friend Mittens the cat, listens to all her secrets.On her first day at school her special pencils are stolen. Afraid she will be in very big trouble, she runs away to the bracken fern that grows tall by the whispering creek, where the bower bird struts with his prize of blue buttons and the magpie feeds her babies. It is her safe place. She doesn't know about "real" safe places or that these things shouldn't be happening to her. When Miss Nelson, her teacher, finds her hiding place Georgia is even more afraid.Once in every lifetime, we should all see life through the eyes of a five year old child, hear their voice, sense the world through the unique perception of childhood. For to do this, is to perceive what they cannot know, protect them from what they cannot understand, so they don't have to hide. We are all guardians; every one.This book is about what can happen to vulnerable, wounded children in their search for acceptance and real affection. I am privileged to add my support to Linda and this book. It will touch the lives of all who have the courage to read it. Dr Steele Fitchett