Frances Bloom (Frances Bloom, #1): A 2026 CBCA Notable, this

Relish in mischief, adventure and the most unusual family ever, with the bestselling and multi-award-winning Katrina Nannestad. Frances Bloom lives all alone in a cottage by the sea. She's having a marvellous time until her nasty teacher, Ms Thistle, learns there is no-one looking after her. Frances needs to find a family, quick smart, or she'll be sent away to Bleak Island Home for Unwanted Children and Dogs. As hard as Frances looks, nobody meets her high standards ... until she stumbles across a large, honey-coloured bear raiding the rubbish bins ... and a garden gnome fishing in the flowerbed. Welcome, Grandma Maude and Grandpa Harold! Together, this strange trio creates a new family, writing their own rules with each misadventure! Delight in the cheeky antics of eight-year-old Frances Bloom with multi-award-winning Australian author Katrina Nannestad. AWARDS CBCA Notable for Younger Readers 2026