It being Australia ('Straya!) day last Saturday, I got thinking about picture books that have an Australian theme or even small details relating to Australia and I managed to come up with quite a few off the top of my head!
I had various Australian Au pairs growing up; Kylie One, Kylie Two and Vanessa (I'm not joking about the Kylie's!) until I was about 12 (I was regularly called an ankle biter and nipper) I also had a some great lodgers for a while, two lovely Australian couples from Melbourne (of which all have children now and are living back in Aus). "G'day" and "no worries" were definitely part of my everyday language as a kid with these guys around!
My mum also spent quite a bit of time in Aus when she was about 25 and she is always saying how much she loved her time there.
Anyway I thought I'd share this list on here (as I've never written anything but reviews on here so far...) so here goes!
'Possum Magic' written by Mem Fox and illustrated by Julie Vivas
“Once upon a time, but not very long ago, deep in the Australian bush, there lived two possums. Their names were Hush and Grandma Poss. Grandma Poss made bush magic…”
Grandma Poss uses bush magic to do all sorts of things, including making Hush invisible. But one day Hush wants to be visible again and the only way to do this is to find the right food (people food not possum food!) So they tour Australia from Brisbane to Sydney trying different foods to make Hush visible again; including ANZAC biscuits, pavlova and Lamingtons!
A brilliant story with fabulous illustrations - a treasured book in my house.
'Slow Loris' written and illustrated by Alexis Deacon
OK so Alexis isn't Australian and neither is this book... But I had to include this little illustration from the book!
'Diary Of A Wombat' written by Jackie French and illustrated by Bruce Whatley
Way before Diary Of A Wimpy Kid there was Diary Of A Wombat! Simple illustrations detailing an introduction of what wombats do with their days. Oh, they like digging holes, eating and sleeping (as well as something else but you'll have to read to find out!)
There is also Diary Of A Christmas Wombat and Diary Of A Baby Wombat which are equally fantastic.
'Boomer The Roo' & 'An Emu Called Tangles' written by Josephine Barrymore and illustrated by Leanne Fleming or Lauren Wilhelm
Both of mine are inscribed 'Dear Laura, lots of love always, Kylie one xxxx' and I truly treasure these - the publisher was fitting for me, Little Aussie!
'Here come the Little Aussies running down the track, they're off to visit Tangles in the Great Outback.
First comes Kip, he's carrying his swag.
Smokey's put his bush hat on and Buttons has her bag.'
'This Is Australia' written and illustrated by Miroslav Sasek
Again not actually Australian but a lovely addition to anyone's library, gorgeously illustrated detailing landmarks, Australian animals and culture.
Someone told me a few days ago that they never wanted to visit or live in Australia because what little culture they had was boring and uninteresting, I honestly don't think she could have been more wrong and I really hope I'm lucky enough to visit one day (or to live would be my dream!)
Here's a little Roo just because they're so cute!
Anyway I hope you've enjoyed this post, and please do comment/tweet me letting me know of any other Aussie books you would recommend! Also if you're ever in Melbourne visit The Little Bookroom (@Little_Bookroom), a delightful children's bookshop.
Extra Reading:
'Edwina The Emu' by Sheena Knowles and Rod Clement
'Edward The Emu' by Sheena Knowles and Rod Clement
'Greetings From Sandy Beach' by Bob Graham
'Window' by Jeannie Baker
'W Is For Wombat' by Bronwyn Bancroft
'Kangaroo's Can Can Cafe' by Julia Jarman and Lynne Chapman
'Aussie Animals' by Rod Campbell
'The Bungarra Five' by Josephine Barrymore and Lauren Wilhelm
'The Arrival' by Shaun Tan
Slightly unrelated but also pretty much any book published by Walker Books Australia too.
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