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Posts tagged ‘Australian Theme’

The Boy From Snowy River

I received my copy from the publisher

the-boy-from-snowy-river

By: Edwina Howard and Joe Bond

Part of the Mates series

George lives in Mumblegum and he really wants to go to Big Spills Water World but it would cost a bit of money to go. George’s grandma suggests he enter The Stockman’s Cup race at the local fair, the prize money could pay for his trip. The Cup is a horse race and they have a horse called Bandicoot that won the race more than once when it was younger, much younger. George isn’t sure it will work but to get to the theme park he’ll try anything. The race doesn’t quite go as expected.

This is a fun, modern take on Banjo Patterson’s The Man From Snowy River. There is a race, a rescue and plenty of fun along the way. The simple text, colourful illustrations and short chapters make it a perfect book for beginning readers. A great addition to the Mates series.

Publisher: Omnibus Books

Published: 01 April 2014

Format: Paperback 64 pages

Categories: Fiction, Adventure

 

ISBN 13: 9781862919976

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on the side of the page

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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Lina at the Games

I received my copy from the publisher9780143307020By: Sally Rippin

Part of the Our Australian Girls Series

Lina is excited, the best thing about living in Melbourne in 1956 is the Olympic Games and they are finally here. Lina is fit to burst about her school paper and the chance to actually go to some of the Games. She misses her friend Mary, and wonders how she will ever get the paper finished with Sarah. Other things are going on too, as Lina comes to understand how much some people don’t like those from different backgrounds. In the midst of all this she strikes up a friendship with a boy who shows her a different way of looking at things. His idea will change things in a way she never thought someone of their age could.

Lina is an appealing girl with with goals and very real problems both at school and within her family. Rippin has placed her wonderful characters in the midst of a very real recreation of Melbourne in the late 50’s. The things Lina experiences seem so real, the excitement of that time almost tangible. This series is great for readers after something real and historical.

Recommended.

Publisher: Puffin

Published: 26 June 2013

Format: Paperback 132 pages

Categories: History, Australian

ISBN 13: 9780143307020

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on side of page

Category:

Fiction 8-12

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Meet Lina

I received my copy  as an ARC from the publisher.
9780143307006By: Sally Rippin

Part of the Our Australian Girl series

Lina lives in Melbourne, she goes to a fancy school on a scholarship and dreams of being a writer someday. Her strict Italian parents have a very different idea for her future. Lina spends her time torn between two worlds. To fit in at school she must keep her home life secret. Not even her best friend knows the truth about where she comes from. How long can Lina keep lying to keep all her secrets?

Lina is a great character, passionate and torn. She wants to do right by her parents but has her own dreams that she is desperate to follow. Lina’s story is about finding a place to belong, a place for her to be accepted and honest about who she is. This is merely the first part of Lina’s story and I look forward to seeing how she changes and grows, how she is able to come to terms with the two lives she lives. The wonderful thing about this series is it’s distinctly Australian flavour and it’s great historical backdrop.

Highly recommended.

Publisher: Puffin

Published: 30 January 2013

Format: Paperback 132 pages

Categories: Historical

ISBN 13: 9780143307006

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on the side of the page

Category:

Fiction 8-12

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Lizzie Nonsense

By: Jan Ormerod

Lizzie lives in a little house in the bush with Mama, Papa and baby. Papa has to take the sandalwood he has cut to town to sell and horses pulling that load along sandy tracks takes time. While Papa is away Mama and Lizzie keep busy working, carrying water, tending the garden, cleaning and mending. Throughout all this Lizzie doesn’t stop pretending and imagining.

Ormerod has deftly bought to life a simple and yet beautiful story of a young girl’s everyday life in outback Australia a century gone. There is a warmth and comfort in this story that is only accentuated by the wonderful, evocative illustrations.

Publisher: Clarion Books

Published: 01 August 2005

Format: Hardback 32 pages

Categories: Fiction, Family, Family Issues

ISBN 13: 9780618574933

Purchase: here

Category:

Picture Books

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Lists – Australian Theme

Books about Australia, or with an Australian theme are also high on the request list, some times people just want something about home and sometimes they are looking to share a little of our culture with people overseas.

Are We There Yet? – Alison Lester

 Crow and the Waterhole – Ambelin Kwaymullina


In The City/Bush – Roland Harvey

To The Top End – Roland Harvey

Sam’s Bush Journey – Sally Mogan and Ezekiel Kwaymullina

Dan’s Grandpa – Sally Morgan

My Aussie Mum – Yvonne Morrison

Why I Love Australia – Bronwyn Bancroft

Category:

Picture Books, Topics and Recommendations

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Picture Books Theme – Australian Animals

Many, many times we get asked to recommend picture books that feature Australian Animals so here is a list of some of the popular ones, and probably not so popular. These are in no particular order.

Little Wombat books – Charles Fuge

Wombat Stew – Marcia Vaughn

Emily and the Big, Bad Bunyip – Jackie French

Josephine Wants to Dance – Jackie French

Diary of a Wombat – Jackie French

Possum Magic – Mem Fox

Koala Lou – Mem Fox

Yes We Can – Sam McBratney

The Cocky Who Cried Dingo – Yvonne Morrison

Category:

Picture Books, Topics and Recommendations

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Counting/Numbers Books

Hey Kylie, I’m trying to find a number picture book that goes past 10. I’d love an aussie one, but don’t like my chances. Any ideas? – Julia

Hi Julia, It seems there are a lot that go to ten and I couldn’t find any really that went above 21. I haven’t read these but here are a few suggestions and yes one is Australian. I’ll start with that one.

The Number One Aussie Counting Book, by Heath McKenzie

From ‘1 wonderful wombat’ to ‘21 baby crocs’, this is not just another counting book. It has lyrical prose to challenge the developing reader, and Heath McKenzie’s trademark funky Aussie animals.

Learning to read and count has never been so much fun.

  • Publisher: Black Dog Books
  • Published: 01 May 2008
  • Format: Paperback 32 pages
  • Categories: Numbers & Counting
  • ISBN 13: 9781742030098

This is available through the publisher or booktopia at the moment, (please feel free to use the link at the side of the page to get you there).

The Real Princess: A Mathemagical Tale, By Brenda Williams, Illustrated by Sophie Fatus

Features three princess, four horses, five dogs, six grooms, seven gardeners and various kinds of chances for young mathematicians to put their adding and subtracting to the test. This book introduces basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and includes a ‘Test Your Maths Skills’ section.

  • Publisher: Barefoot Books Ltd
  • Published: 01 August 2009
  • Format: Paperback 40 pages
  • Categories: Storybooks, Numbers & Counting Fiction
  • ISBN 13: 9781846863905

This is available at the bookdepository here

City By Numbers, By Stephen Johnson

This is a wordless picture book where the numbers 1 -21 are hidden in the realistic cityscape illustrations. Some of the numbers are more difficult to pick out than others.

  • Publisher: Penguin Books Australia
  • Published: 01 August 2003
  • Format: Paperback 28 pages
  • Categories: Numbers & Counting, Fiction, People & Places
  • ISBN 13: 9780140566369

This is available as the bookdepository here

I hope this information is useful.

Category:

Your Questions

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Big Bad Bushranger

By Bob Brown

Illustrated by Ben Wood

This wombat as a big bad bush-bushranger, he steals what he can, runs from the law, lives in danger and has the best hiding spot ever.

A totally fun read, with great rhythm and cool illustrations. Very easy to get into the spirit of this story.

Publisher: Scholastic Australia

Published: 01 August 2010

Format: Paperback 24 pages

Categories: Australian Theme

ISBN 13: 9781862918917

Purchase: here

Category:

Picture Books

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