A gentle and affirming story about being brave and the magic of kindness.

Little Matilda is not feeling well. But she is worried about going to hospital for the first time. Will she be able to overcome her fears and get the care she needs?

This gentle and affirming story deals with the very real problem of fears and worries in children. It provides opportunities to talk about these fears and allows children to recognise that they are not alone in their anxieties and worries.

The Author

Caz Goodwin is a Melbourne-based author who has also lived in Brisbane, Auckland and Singapore. Her books and stories for children have been published internationally. She heads the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) in Victoria and is on the Young Australian Best Book Awards (YABBA) council.

Caz’s first book, Curse of the Viking Sword, won Singapore’s First Time Writers Award. Her second book, Dragon’s Egg, won a Singapore Arts Council’s Beyond Words Award for picture books. Caz also wrote the popular ‘Daisy’ picture books, Lazy Daisy and Daisy Runs Wild, featuring Daisy the lazy koala. Learn more about Caz at www.cazgoodwin.com.

The Illustrator

Shaney Hyde is an early childhood educator and illustrator living on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia. Since emerging into book illustration, Shaney feels lucky to share her process with the children that she teaches each day. Her illustrations are crafted in watercolour and express a childlike style as she depicts Australia's unique creatures and wild places. Her whimsical illustrations are also published on greeting cards. Learn more about Shaney at www.Instagram.com/shaneystone.

Little Matilda is anxious about going to hospital to be treated. But as she bravely faces her fears, she also helps a scared new friend.