The Secret Boat is a collection of poems for younger readers by Dr Mark Macleod, mixing humour and whimsy with quirky ponderings, conundrums, dreams, longings and childlike observations. The poems take the reader from beachside to countryside, from revolting to delicious, from realism to fantasy, and end with a suite of bedtime meditations. Their inclusive values and playful read-aloud language make them perfect for bedtime, the classroom and play, and offer opportunities for young people to learn and to question. Helene Magisson's meticulous and luminous illustrations enhance the magic with their subtle alternative readings. AGES: 4 to 8 AUTHOR: Mark MacLeod has worked in almost every possible area of books for children: as a bookseller, editor, Publishing Director for Random House and for Dirt Lane Press, Publisher at Hachette Australia and as publisher under his own name imprint, Mark Macleod Books. Mark has won awards for distinguished service to Children's Literature, and for many titles he has published, and is himself the author of several books, has been National President of the Children's Book Council of Australia, a television and radio presenter and a senior academic. Helene Magisson is a French-Australian artist who originally trained in medieval illumination and art restoration. Since turning her skills to children's illustration she has illustrated dozens of books, several of which have been awarded recognition. The Secret Boat is Hélène's first book with Dirt Lane Press.