Jelly and the Magic Paintbrush

Jelly loves painting more than anything—but her messy brushstrokes never turn out quite right. Her colours are off, her lines are untidy, and every smudged canvas chips away at her confidence.

Then one day, a mysterious cockatoo swoops down from the treetops and grants her paintbrush a magical upgrade. Suddenly, Jelly's painting shimmers with possibility. But the magic doesn't work as she expects.

Meanwhile, Gary and Bertie Greenback have invented something extraordinary: a machine that can bring paintings to life! There's just one catch—it will only work if they paint something truly special. Despite all their cleverness, they've hit a creative wall.

Can these unlikely friends team up? Can Jelly find the courage to share her new artistic skills? And what incredible things might happen if she does?

Some people like to paint.
Some people do not.

A lively, colourful celebration of creativity and self-belief, this story shows young readers that confidence isn't about getting everything right—it's about picking up the brush and trying again. Perfect for ages 4 to 8.

Led by renowned composer Carlo Giacco and beautifully illustrated by Morgan Stevens-Reidy, Jelly and the Magic Paintbrush features charming character designs and stunning images of Australian native plants and animals—an ideal addition to school libraries, classrooms, and home bookshelves.