Subtitled A First Nations journey around Australia’s traditional place names, gives a sound idea as to what will be found when the book is read.
On the title page is a map of Australia with the fifteen places shown, and this will intrigue children as they see the places known to them perhaps by a different name. From Gulmerragin in the north, to Rubibi, known as Broome, to Boorloo and Tarndanya, the places across the north of Australia are shown, the illustrations reflecting some of the things to be found in that vicinity.
Each double page with its contemporary artwork using traditional decorative methods, shows animals and flowers, birds and vegetation, as well as geographic features associated with the named place.
I love the lurking crocodile featured on Borroloola, the hammerhead shark in the background of wetlands Boigu, the bunya pines of Meeanjin country, and the whales on Gadigal land. Each page presents something to search out, to recognise and marvel over. Kids will love to copy the names using the motifs presented, and learn how to say those unfamiliar to them. The Canberra name will intrigue, encouraging students to look at the meaning of the name and why it was selected as the name for our capitol city. In the snow gums can be seen the kookaburra, a particular motif of the area.
Ryhia Dank’s journey around Australia helps the readers learn about some of the more well known places, just as Dank wanted to journey to learn more about her land.
I love listening to ABC RN with its acknowledgement of where each radio show comes from, and this book gives some of those names and we can see how these are written, so expanding the knowledge of these traditional names. Kids will love spotting the array of things shown on each page: jelly fish, lizards, the Aboriginal flag, footprints and loads of insects, to name a few.
Themes Aboriginal flag, Aboriginal names, Journeys, Australian animals.
Fran Knight
Inkbound - Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo by Philippa Leathley
Inkbound - Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo has a female protagonist about the same age as the intended reader as on her tenth birthday, Meticulous 'Metty' Jones receives her fate, as all children do, in the form of a magical tattoo on her hand. She hopes that her tattoo will reveal an exciting destiny: travel, discovery or adventure. What appears is a skull in the palm of a violet glove - Metty's fate is to be a murderer. When Metty's father disappears in mysterious circumstances, Aunt Magnificent takes her to the glittering city of New London, filled with magic, wonder and enchantment. But when Metty hears rumours of a shadowy organisation known as the Black Moths, she begins to suspect they are connected to her own dark fate.
The genre 'fantasy adventure' is described as combining "the elements of fantasy (supernatural, magical, and often imaginary worlds) with the adventure genre (epic journeys, quests, and exciting undertakings), resulting in stories with magic, danger, and exploration." Unique landscapes, societies and cultures are the background to seemingly ordinary human characters embarking on personal quests that involve action, risk and danger and usually in company or conflict with imaginary beings to quell the malicious intent of those who seek to harm them. As they seek to ensure that good triumphs over evil, often with unique and mysterious powers, they also learn much about themselves, who they are, what they stand for and what they can accomplish and achieve as regular people.
Popular since the days of Enid Blyton's Magic Faraway Tree series when young readers transported themselves away from the horrors of World War II to lands where fairies, elves and other magical beings dwelt and life was so different to their lived reality, continued through the 50s as my generation went through the wardrobe into Narnia, then brought into the realm of the modern young reader through the exploits of Harry Potter and his friends and the making of the movies based on Tolkien's classics of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and perpetuated through any number of video and computer games, it is a firm favourite with independent readers across the ages. Those written for children not only allow the child to dwell in an alternative world that may be more appealing than the one they are in, but also enable them to become the hero with both power and powers that the real world denies them. They are in charge, they are calling the shots and making the decisions - something rare in the pre-teen's life.
Inkbound - Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo fits the genre, the demand and the library collection perfectly. It features those essential elements of the fantasy adventure genre with fast-paced narrative that draws the reader into both the setting and the action, while dropping tiny but important clues along the way whose significance only becomes apparent as the climax approaches. There are elements that echo the reader's world making the transition to the imaginary one seem more seamless as they take on the role of the protagonist as they are able to relate, perhaps even empathise, with the struggles they face, yet each features a lightness of touch that makes them ideal read-alones or read-alouds. They also all seem to set themselves as the possible beginning of a new series that keen readers will seek out.
Currently, in the school library in which I volunteer, it is series like these that seem to be constantly circulating, so to be able to bring some new reads to the selections will definitely spike interest as our long winter nights approach.
Penguin Random House Children's UK, 2025. ISBN: 9780241739594. (Age:Young Adult) Recommended.
The glittering edge, the first of a gothic fantasy duology (The Idlewood Duology series), is set in and inspired by the rural Indiana towns and high school experience of the author - Los Angeles based Alyssa Villaire. The journey of the main character Penny with her mother through doctors, hospitals and palliative care is inspired by the author's own journey with her father. Villaire hopes that young readers who are likewise seeing their parents suffer may find some hope and determination through reading The glittering edge.
Appropriately titled, The glittering edge evokes the idea of an enticing, magical fragility - a brittle brink that one may reach which, in the book, is both physical and psychological. The front cover equally indicates, the type of story (described as contemporary gothic fantasy) that embraces some visceral, nightmarish qualities.
Structured with the omniscient authorial voice focusing alternately in separate chapters on the three main characters (Corey, Penny and Alonso) the reader has a bird's eye view of the characters' actions and thoughts as the plot unrolls. From the initial setting, a fourth of July high school graduate party in a fictional mid-western town called Idlewood, the reader meets the characters and the nature of the generational feud between the De Luca witches and the wealthy Barrion family begins to reveal itself. The curse changed families' fates and was that if a Barrion falls in love with you, you die. In the front pages family trees are provided and include the Emberly family because Penny's mother is the latest victim of the curse.
With all the trappings of a modern day Romeo and Juliet, The glittering edge is about a forbidden, dangerous love affair (worse - love triangle) and the danger that Penny Emberly faces as she tries to save her mother's life and her own heart.
Villaire shares content warnings for those considering reading The glittering edge. These include: alcohol consumption, bullying, cursing, death and injury of parents and family, emotional abuse, grief, gun violence, medical content, mental illness, murder, panic attacks, terminal illness, classism, racism, misogyny, infidelity and sexual and suicide content.
This is a heart-in-the-mouth story complete with bloody and bewitching scenes and action, friendship, courage and heart. Fans of Maggie Stiefvater's The raven boys would enjoy The glittering edge.
Themes Witches, Family curses, Love, Illness and death of a parent, Teen "chaos", Anxiety.
Wendy Jeffrey
I dreamed of you by Sharna Carter. Illus. by Gabby Grant
Affirm Press, 2025. ISBN: 9781923046429. (Age:3+)
The story of a mother’s love, dreaming dreams which resulted in a baby, one to be loved and looked over, cuddled and held, from the time when the baby was a wish when candles were blown out, to the time when tiny fingers and red ruby cheeks giggled at mum from the cradle. Rhyming stanzas tell the story, of the dreams held by mum as she anticipates then holds her baby.
Each page turned reveals another of the dreams mum had when expecting her baby. From dreaming of them skipping together and holding hands, to making sand castles, blowing bubbles and dancing to a song. Each activity mentioned is one mum and her growing baby do together, showing the child’s development to a time when friends are made and another stage of development begins.
At the end of the book, a pregnant mum is seen, happy that her dreams are materialising, as the baby comes and is installed in a baby carrier, close to mum’s heart. All of her dreams have come true. Children may note that it is only about the mother and her baby, leading perhaps to discussions about single parent families.
Soft illustrations cover each page, reinforcing a story of love and anticipation. Children will enjoy following the baby’s development and noting the baby’s stages through the illustrations. They will be able to discuss the various stages they have gone through and note what is still to come.
Themes Family, Mothers, Babies, Stages of development, Anticipation.
Mercedes Mercier introduces us to the grim reality of prison life in Black lies. Dr Laura Fleming is a psychologist at Westmead Prison and is asked to interview Tomas Kovak, a prisoner who has been locked away for life for a brutal murder of a young pregnant woman. He is dying from cancer and the authorities are desperate to find out where his victim’s body is buried. He has refused all contact with psychologists in the past and as Laura talks to him, she becomes convinced that he does not fit the usual profile of a murderer. She begins to investigate, interviewing people from his background. Is Kovak the murderer or is there someone lurking and watching her from the shadows?
The background of prison life makes this stand out from other mysteries featuring psychologists as the main investigators. Mercier vividly describes life in prison and how desperate it can be for some offenders. The story is told with flashbacks to the past, gradually revealing what has happened and keeping the reader in suspense wondering what is really going on.
Mercier has created a very relatable character in Laura, a very clever woman who refuses to ignore her intuition even though it brings her into danger. I found myself holding my breath in the later parts of the novel as she gradually unravelled twisty past events with a stunning outcome.
Although this is the second book featuring Dr Laura Fleming, it reads well as a stand-alone, although readers may want to find White noise, the first in the series. And people who enjoyed the Joe O'Loughlin and Cyrus Haven series by Michael Robotham are likely to enjoy Black lies.
Themes Murder, Psychologists, Mystery, Prisons.
Pat Pledger
Wombat dreaming by Caz Goodwin. Illus. by Zoe Bennet
Affirm Press, 2025. ISBN: 9781923046603. (Age:3+)
A wombat doing yoga does not seem the most compatible exercise regime for the squat short legged animal, but Lil is one determined little wombat. She joins her friends on their yoga mats one Sunday morning, ready for stretches and some fun.
Emu and Dingo both show what they can do, encouraging others to follow their lead. But each time Lil tries she wobble and falls over. She so wants to join the group, and be as good as the others, but all to no avail, she simply can not do it. As tears fall, she goes back into her burrow, and thinks about what she can do to overcome her inability, to do the poses the other animals do. She makes her way to the class the next Sunday morning. There she shows the animals her move. She calls it Wombat Dreaming and has her rolling over to land on her back and then spend some time lying down. The other animals cheer and clap, eager to practise the new move.
A lovely story to engage readers with a host of well drawn Australian animals: seeing them in yoga poses will cause laughter, especially with the very round wombat finding it difficult. But we all have skills we might not be aware of, and trying to find that skill means thought and practice. Lil keeps on trying to find her skill to join in with the others, and eventually finds something they can all do well.
Children will love recognising the Australian animals shown, and work out why some can do things the wombat cannot do. The images show a range of animals doing the strangest of things, a frog on one leg with arms pointing upward, or the little mouse joining in. But the best is that of all the animals following Lil’s lead and lying on their backs, looking very relaxed after their efforts.
The story will encourage readers to think about how they relax, and the value of exercising as a group.
Themes Yoga, Exercise, Wombats, Australian animals, Determination, Relaxation.
Fran Knight
Hey Zazou! by Tony Thompson
Ford Street Publishing, 2025. ISBN: 9781922696420. (Age:14+) Highly recommended.
Set in Nazi-occupied Paris during World War 2, in Hey, Zazou!, Thompson has combined his interest and knowledge of both music and history to write a gripping coming-of-age story that is as informative as it is riveting.
At 15 years old, Charlie Martin is faced with making many conflicting decisions. Fascinated by the Zazou sub-culture, he dresses the part and busks, playing jazz in the streets and bars. This puts him in the spotlight of the French ‘Loyal Youth’ and the Nazi soldiers, especially when he includes Roma (gypsy) and Resistance members in his band. He is also dealing with the regular absences of his beloved mother, and the increasingly strange behaviour of some of his acquaintances.
As he becomes more involved in what he realises is the Resistance movement, Charlie faces constant reminders about the difficulties of knowing who to trust, who to remain loyal to, and whether friendships and shared passions can overcome differences of allegiances and loyalties.
Thompson has painted a vivid picture of what it would be like to live under a regime increasingly ruling by fear and intimidation. Charlie’s moral compass is constantly challenged as he weighs up his options in a dangerous time, caught between the brutality of the Nazi soldiers, the loyalty required by Resistance members and the danger and fear experienced by the persecuted Roma population.
Against this background of historical accuracy and musical influences, is Charlie’s developing romance, eventual heartbreak, and ongoing love of music. His dyslexia at times presents difficulties but also potentially lifesaving benefits for him.
Highly recommended as a thrilling adventure story and an easy entry into WW2 and jazz history as well as Zazou and Roma music and culture.
After reading Bone lands by Pip Fioretti, I was keen to pick up Skull River featuring Gus Hawkins, mounted trooper and veteran of the Boer War. It is 1912, and Gus has rejoined the mounted police. He has been sent to the gold town of Colley, NSW and is in charge of much of the surrounding district. On his first day he and his young officer are ambushed and the young man is gunned down. Gus manages to escape only to find that the police station has been burnt to the ground with the prisoner inside dying. Gus barely manages to hold on to his sanity, his post traumatic stress ruining his sleep with horrific memories. However with a drunken detective in charge of the case and a clever gunman out to kill police troopers, Gus must use all his ingenuity and intelligence to hunt down the killer.
Bone lands was set in the pastoral district of far western New South Wales and gave the reader insight into rural and small town life in Australia after Federation. In Skull River Fioretti demonstrates her expertise in writing about Australian history, this time taking the reader on a memorable journey into how life in a small town changes when the lure of gold fades. Colley is eight hours ride from Bathurst and when Gus needs urgent help from his commanding officers, he must send a telegram or use his wits to delve into the secrets of the town. Fioretti deftly brings a historical time to life, while penning a mystery story that has enough twists and turns to keep the reader glued to the page and plenty of action-packed scenes that are riveting reading.
Readers who enjoy accounts of Australian history will appreciate the depth of Fioretti’s research, while mystery lovers will eagerly follow Gus’s investigation, trying to follow the clues and red herrings that are scattered throughout the book. While waiting for the next in the series, which is hinted at in the conclusion of the book, readers may like to try Wild dogs by Michael Trant, with its lone bushman trying to overcome bad memories.
The blurb of this book says "Every day we come across many tricks that keep the world from being a truly equal place. This book helps kids and their grown-ups to learn the tricks that are holding us all back so that together we can smash gender stereotypes and create positive change".
This is Jennifer Bain's first book, born out of her dream of creating stories to help children to feel comfortable navigating the world. Equality and respect are important topics for young people, and this book helps children to identify, call attention to, and reject unconscious sexism and biases in everyday life.
'The Trick' is capitalised, and is explained as being something you might hear but that you know isn't true. Statements such as "Girls can't climb trees" or "boys don't cry" or even a teacher asking for "big, strong boys" to help move furniture are all examples of The Trick.
This is because we know for certain that girls CAN climb trees, that boys DO cry, and that girls are just as capable to help move furniture!
The book explains the patriarchy in very simple terms and goes on to encourage readers to look out for The Trick and to point it out to others. Only through noticing The Trick and calling attention to it, will the world become a more equal place. We see Gran fixing toys, Pa baking biscuits, princesses saving the day, boys playing tea parties, and many more fabulous examples of equality, and respectful relationships.
The cartoony illustrations by Scott Stuart are excellent, really expanding on the equality theme. The children depicted have a wide range of appearances and abilities, including one with a cochlear implant, one with glasses, a variety of skin colours, a wheelchair user, a child with vitiligo, and another with a prosthetic limb. All are equally involved in playing and learning together.
A note for families and teachers at the end of the book explains that "unpacking these themes and making positive change will involve more than one conversation". This book is a great place to start!
This book is about a new girl named Quinn who arrives in a new town and attends a new high school with her brother, so that her family can care for their grandmother. She quickly finds friends at school and even meets a cute, nice guy named Logan. Her friend, Kashvi, invites her to watch a new D&D game to see if she would like to join the next campaign, but suddenly, Logan acts cold and unwelcoming. Quinn wonders if he is like that because of one of the rules: no dating group members. But Logan keeps on dropping hints, and Quinn knows she has to stay away, but it gets tough when her grandma thinks they are destined to be together. And it seems like one of the players, Sloane, might know something!
This book was so captivating and interesting that it was hard to put down. I had no idea what Dungeons and Dragons was, but after reading this book, it makes a bit more sense to me, and it might be worth giving the game a try. Highly recommended for girls aged 12-15. The themes of friendship and relationships are very good, and I loved the love story between Quinn and Logan, along with the forbidden romance. My favourite character was Kashvi because she seems like the ideal best friend anyone could want, and she is genuinely kind. The author was inclusive of transgender characters, particularly Sloane. It’s wonderful to see authors embracing inclusivity. Overall, I was incredibly impressed with the writing style, character depth, and engaging plot. Reading this book was such a great experience, and I’m thrilled that I had the chance to discover it. If you’re in the mood for a story that combines elements of magic and heartfelt connections, you won’t want to miss Dating and Dragons.
Penguin Random House, 2025. ISBN: 9781761355134. (Age:1+) Highly recommended.
What a joy - a favourite book of some 30 years, reappears on our shelves as a strongly bound board book. Alexander’s adventures will be enjoyed by many children as they see the little duckling and his siblings and Mum go for a walk in Sydney.
With the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background, the ducklings take their first steps outside the park where they live.
Stay close, take care, Mum calls as they pass the bottle tree and go through the gates along the Art Gallery Road. But Alexander does not hear her instructions and lags behind. A man halts the traffic as they march across College Street, but once on the other side Mum realises that Alexander is missing. Mum and his siblings call out and hear a distant quack coming from a drain in the road. Alexander is at the bottom of the drain and despite the efforts of several passers by, no one can reach him. Lots of people stop to see what is going on and offer their support, but no one can work out how to get Alexander out of his predicament. A child’s dropped drink gives them a clue. A group of people tip out the contents of their picnic and take the containers to the Archibald Fountain. Here they dance along and fill the containers, taking them back to pour down the opening, and eventually the hole is filled with water, allowing Alexander to hop out. All sorts of soft happy quacking and flapping occurs welcoming the little duck back into the family, so they retrace their steps back home to the safety of their park.
This wonderful story will engage readers with the story on so many levels. They will be anxious about Alexander’s predicament, join in all the happy words describing the people with their water containers, skip along with Mum and the sibling as they return to safety, learn about following Mum’s instructors and what might happen if they are disobeyed, and see what happens when people join together to solve a problem.
And the illustrations are just wonderful full of humour and movement as the ducks find their way into an adventure and out again.
Sydney is seen in the background, and children will delight in recognising streets and places they know. This wonderful story will be read again and again.
Themes Ducks, Sydney, Adventure, Humour, Family.
Fran Knight
Wild dogs by Michael Trant
Random House, 2022. ISBN: 9781761046773. (Age:Adult - Senior secondary) Recommended.
Wow! Anyone who wants a gritty adventure in outback Australia is certain to be unable to put down this thriller from Michael Trant. Gabe Ahern is a dogger, making his living from trapping wild dogs in the outback. He leads a lonely life after the death of his wife but when he comes across Amin a young Afghan, being held at gun point he is unable to turn away. With guns blazing he rescues him and finds dangerous people smugglers and drug dealers on his trail, led by Chase Fowler, a kangaroo hunter expert with his rifle. Will his skills at hiding in the bush keep him and his companions safe? Will they be able to rescue Amin’s family?
What a fast paced, thrilling story this is. It is very difficult to put the book down as Gabe rushes from one desperate adventure to another. Trant brings the outback to life with a unique introductory chapter voiced by an old dingo and his descriptions of the dry red dirt, the Aboriginal people, the long distances, bush tracks and rural nursing are engrossing. Elderly and with a bad hip Gabe is a wily man, living with memories of his wife, and his cunning and bush skills are a highlight of the book. All the supporting characters are fully developed: It is easy to relate to Amin, desperate to rescue his wife and child, while Courtney the bush nurse and Darren the young Aboriginal man are both courageous and caring and Chase their pursuer is wily and dangerous.
Although the action filled chase is the highlight of the story, Trant doesn’t flinch away from topical subjects like the plight of refugees, people smuggling, police corruption and stereotyping of Aboriginal people.
Described by Lee Child as 'Tough, fast and hard – my kind of book' Wild dogs is sure to appeal to readers who like Jack Reacher type of thrillers, while those who like the outback noir novels by Jane Harper and Patricia Wolf are likely to enjoy it. I look forward to reading the next in the series, No Trace.
Themes Thriller, Outback, Murder, People smuggling, Drug trafficking.
Pat Pledger
The romantic tragedies of a drama king by Harry Trevaldwyn
First Ink, 2025. ISBN: 9781035049202. (Age:16+)
Patch (aka Patrick) Simmons is a 16-year-old queer, quirky and larger-than-life character who loves drama (and performance art) and relies on his level-headed best friend Jean. He does tend to plant his feet firmly in his mouth before engaging his brain, and he does love the spotlight, so will carry on regardless bumbling into minor disasters. His aim in this intricate revelation is to share his plan/purpose/endeavour in finding (and keeping) his first boyfriend and experiencing his first kiss. Within school grounds and the drama club we travel alongside Patch on an emotional rollercoaster as he connects and disconnects with friends and fellow performers. Will he ever be successful in love and in life?
The tone of this book is exceptionally light-hearted as Patch spills everything he is thinking and feeling, sometimes with disastrous consequences. His gay-boy life has all the hallmarks of the stereotypical high school queer boy, with interest in fashion, being noticed, and avoiding anything sporty. He has a close female confidante providing relationship and life wisdom, and occasional fashion advice. Teen friendship and relationship dramas abound, and Patch can be relied on to get things wrong. Readers who have read Adrian Mole’s revelations will recognise the style of the internal dialogues being unveiled for public consumption. Patch’s inability to recognise his own interpersonal blunders make for entertaining reading. The author has a comedic style with a good sense of the ironic. The main characters occasionally seem younger than their 16 years, but this is a minor problem. Readers aged 16+ looking for an LGBTIQ focused romance will smile often as they read this book.
Themes LGBTIQ teen romance, Friendship, Drama and theatre, Humour.
Carolyn Hull
The last egg by Sofie Laguna. Illus. by Jess Racklyeft
Allen & Unwin, 2025. ISBN: 9781761180330. (Age:3+) Highly recommended.
This breathtaking story about nurturing and love, responsibility and commitment, reads like a fable, one where the birds behave in a way that seems human, and which has a truth in its telling.
Two birds sit on the nest where three eggs are being kept warm by Mother Bird, Father Bird going off to bring back food for its partner.
They must ensure the eggs hatch and the hatchlings be ready to fly to warmer shores before the cold sets in.
But one night another egg is found in the nest, and so it is kept warm by Mother Bird in the same way she has done with the other three. Later the three eggs hatch, the pair of birds teaching them to fend for themselves, how to sing and eventually how to fly. But the other egg is still unhatched. The pair of birds stick to their regime of the male flying off to get food for the female, while she sits on the egg to keep it warm. But the cold sets in. Leaves fall around them and snow appears on the branches. One day Father Bird is too weak to fly, the pair snuggle around the egg to keep it warm. That night the egg hatches.
The small dragon appears.
This story had me in tears, seeing the repercussions of trying to keep something alive, when the outcome is not known, where two little birds find it in their hearts to persevere, despite the cold which will kill them, settling in. Their responsibility to the egg is paramount. Their responsibility to a stranger the theme behind the words. Their commitment to its safety is rewarded when the little dragon returns using its fiery breath to revive the two birds, then settling them on its back to take them to somewhere warmer.
Jess Racklyeft’s mixed media illustrations will catch the eyes of the readers as they see the two little birds in their nest, keeping their eggs warm, then helping the hatchlings on their way, staying to help the last egg hatch. Leaves become browner, debris floats in the air, snow falls on the branches, the coldness that comes to the nest almost felt by the audience, as they grieve for the anticipated plight of the two birds. A dragon hatches, bringing fire, the reds and yellows contrasting with the cold of the snow and the wind. The magical dragon restores hope as it swoops down to protect its surrogate parents, and the group returns the pair to a place where they will survive.
I found this to be a touching story reflecting our shared responsibility for all those around us. Whether it be the homeless, refugees, the aged, or those in need, each deserve our commitment. And as with the two birds, that sacrifice will be rewarded.
Our beautiful world by Sarah Speedie and Margeaux Davis
New Frontier, 2025. ISBN: 9781923145573. (Age:3+)
How difficult it must have been to select only 11 environments to present in this overview of the wonderful colours which make up our world. Those chosen are, Uluru in Australia, Chilean grapevines, a bamboo forest in China, the white cliffs of the coast of England, fields of sunflowers in Italy, Canada’s snow fields, cherry blossom in Japan, the blue ocean around the islands of Fiji, tea leaves being collected in Sri Lanka, Morocco’s golden sand hills, the orange skies of South Africa.
A double page is devoted to each of these spots around the world, showing families and children playing and working in their country, each emblazoned with colour, underlining the idea of the huge palette of colours which make up our world. Each double page includes animals and birds redolent of the place while the people in their national costumes are placed against some of the things which are recognisably their own. So on the page devoted to Morrocco and its golden sandhills we see the vista described plus a family stopping for lunch in a small oasis. The children are rolling down the hill, the women looking after the children and getting lunch, while an older man teaches children on their mats. The whole, with a camel resting in the shade is redolent of a Moroccan landscape and will teach children about the customs of these people. Another page shows the snowfields of Canada, with warmly dressed children doing a range of activities in the snow. Again it presents a double page which envcourages children to recognise similarities and differences between their own lives and those shown on the page.
This is a vibrant book of colour, each page evoking a sense of awe as the two rhyming lines describe where this scene is to be found. The book reinforces that we are all living on this planet, each may be different but essentially we have much in common, not least of which is to look after the many environments our world provides. Teacher's notes are available.
