The Anything Shop

What happens when children trade hugs and laughter for fancy toys?

This story is an entertaining and inspiring look at what would happen if kids could trade their mums hugs for the best toys.

Charlie has no money, but at The Anything Shop it doesn't matter.

He can SWAP things he doesn't want. Charlie swaps two years of embarrassing hugs for a cricket bat that hits six runs every time.

But things go wrong at school and Charlie soon misses all those hugs from his family.

Can he swap them back? And what's really going on at that weird looking shop?

Charlie and his new friend Sam snoop around and discover something very sinister about the owners, Meryl and Alfred. What do they want with things like children's hugs and laughter and tickles anyway?

About the Author

Dawn Meredith grew up in England, Australia and Norway. She is a teacher, author and artist and has been working with children and their families for over 20 years.

Dawn's first two books were published in 2000. Since then she has been published in almost every genre. She loves the quirky, the dark, the humorous, but also enjoys biographies and true life stories, fantasy and crime novels. Her ninth book was released in 2017. Her work includes fiction and non-fiction books, short stories, short non-fiction pieces and poetry. She has conducted writing workshops for children and adults in many states of Australia and been a panelist and workshop presenter at Conflux and the Sydney Speculative Fiction Convention.

Dawn was awarded a May Gibbs Fellowship 2010 and 2011 to complete the first draft her debut young adult fantasy novel Flight. In 2016 her debut adult novel Letters from the Dead won the SCBWI Andrea Pinkney writer award before it was published.

About the Illustrator

Lesley Vamos has wanted to draw as long as she can remember, a longing pursued through countless mediums over the years, from animation to graphic design, concept development and illustration. However there has been a constant, that is, the dedication and passion to tell a great story. Also important is making people feel and remember something, to touch someone in a way that makes them see or appreciate something in a new light.

When asked what style or medium defines her she recalls the wise words of a friend who said it's not how you show your message, but the message itself. The message of Lesley's art illustrates her passion for life, the little moments that surprise you and the people that make it worthwhile.