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Lantana is Coming to Australia & Aotearoa New Zealand!

Promotional illustration with a watercolor-style background in green and blue tones. In the center is a white silhouette map of Australia and New Zealand with large black text that reads: “We’re coming to Australia & Aotearoa New Zealand!” Around the map are diverse, cartoon-style children and adults reading, playing, dancing, caring for one another, and spending time with family. The Lantana logo appears at the bottom.

G’day and kia ora! 


Grab your Tim Tams and hokey pokey—we’re coming to Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand in 2026. 


We are beyond excited to announce that Lantana is partnering with Simon & Schuster Australia for the sales and distribution of our children’s books in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. From 2026, Simon & Schuster Australia will represent Lantana’s inclusive list across both territories, bringing a mix of international bestsellers, beloved backlist titles and brand-new stories to our readers in the southern hemisphere. This is a personal milestone for us—as you will see, ANZ is, in many ways, where the seeds of Lantana were sowed. For the curious souls, we’ve also included here a sneak peak to our 2026 ANZ booklist.



A personal milestone: Lantana’s history with Australasia 


It has been a long-held dream of our founder and CEO, Alice Curry, to see Lantana's books distributed in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Alice lived in Sydney for the best part of a decade while she completed an MA and PhD in Children's Literature and has nurtured an ambition for Lantana's books to reach children in this territory ever since. Australia is where Alice first became involved with the fabulous work of organisations like IBBY Australia, building bridges to international understanding through children's books; it is where Alice met Katrina for the first time - also completing a PhD - and a lasting friendship was born; and it is where Alice first saw a Lantana flower. Now, she is delighted to enter into a partnership with Simon & Schuster Australia to see this long-held dream become a reality, and looks forward to introducing readers across both countries to some of Lantana's best-loved titles.



Coming soon! A preview of our ANZ booklist


A whopping nine titles are set to release in ANZ this year, including 6 of our beloved bestsellers and 3 new stories. Here is a list of our 6 established favourites that are travelling to the southern hemisphere in 2026. 




Illustrated cover of a smiling young girl with brown skin and curly pigtails standing confidently among bright flowers and leafy vines. The title “I Am Brown” appears above in large patterned letters.

Written by: Ashok Banker

Illustrated by: Sandhya Prabhat


A Guardian Children's Book of the Month 2020

BookTrust Best Books Guide 2020

UKLA Book Awards Longlist 2021








I am brown. I am beautiful. I am perfect. I drew this picture. I built this building. I designed this computer. I ran this race. I won this prize. I wrote this book. I am brown. I am amazing. I am you. 




Illustrated cover showing a child painting a large, colorful cloud of red, yellow, and blue across the sky. The bold white title “If I Were Prime Minister” sits over the painted cloud, surrounded by stars, bunting flags, playful animals, and scattered crayons.

Written by: Trygve Skaug 

Illustrated by: Ella Okstad

Translated by: Rosie Hedger


Spark! School Book Awards Shortlist 2025

Derby Children’s Picture Book Awards Shortlist 2025

BookTrust Great Books Guide 2023







A young boy gives his perspective on several things the grown-ups running the country could do differently.




Illustrated cover featuring the side profile of a young Black girl with neatly braided hair against a warm golden sky. Palm trees and greenery appear in the background. The title “Freedom Braids” is written in bold red lettering above.

Written by: Monique Duncan

Illustrated by: Oboh Moses


Featured in The New York Times

Oprah Daily’s Best Kids Books on Race and Racism

Carnegie Medal for Illustration Longlist 2026

Black KidLit Awards Best Historical Book Winner 2024





Gather the midnight strands, tend the roots that gave you life, weave hopes into pathways— paths that lead you home.




Illustrated cover showing a child balancing a large pot on their head against a deep blue patterned background with silhouettes of animals and foliage. The title “Peace and Me” appears in gold lettering.

Written by: Ali Winter

Illustrated by: Mickaël El Fathi


An USBBY Outstanding International Book 2019

Blue Peter Book Awards, Best Book with Facts longlist 2019

Times Education Supplement Top Children's Books 2019










What does peace mean to you? This illustrated collection of inspirational ideas about peace is based on the lives of Nobel Peace Prize Laureates of the 20th and 21st centuries, among them Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa and Malala Yousafzai.




Soft, warm-toned cover showing a mother and child sitting together on a pink sofa with eyes closed, sharing a calm embrace. The title “Listening to the Quiet” appears above in gentle blue script.

Written by: Cassie Silva

Illustrated by: Frances Ives


Featured in the New York Times 2023 

Inclusive Books for Children Top Pick







Jacki’s mama has a rare condition. She is slowly losing her hearing. But as Mama’s world becomes quieter, Jacki’s remains full of sound, especially on Music Appreciation Fridays. How can Jacki enjoy listening to music when her mama can no longer hear it?




Bright illustrated cover of a smiling child with curly hair wearing flower-shaped sunglasses, surrounded by colorful blooming flowers and bees. A circular badge reads “A Bouquet of Haiku Poems for Budding Naturalists.” The title “Watch Me Bloom” appears prominently across the center.

Written and illustrated by: Krina Patel-Sage


Inclusive Books for Children Top Pick

LoveReading4Kids Star Book 2023

50 Best Books for Preschool by Books For Topics 2024









These mindful haiku poems invite us to explore twenty-four flower species growing close to home, from wildflower meadows to urban window boxes.



Keep your eyes peeled for our 3 brand-new titles coming out later. See you soon, Australia and Aotearoa! 


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