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osprey_archerRecently, littlerhymes sent me the Guardian’s poll for Australia’s Best Picture Books. As I am nothing if not suggestible, at least where picture books are concerned, of course I couldn’t help reading a few.
Magic Beach, written and illustrated by Alison Lester, which alternates scenes of children playing at the beach with their corresponding imaginary adventures: they build a sandcastle, then imagine charging across the moat to defeat a fiery dragon, etc. The style of the illustrations doesn’t particularly appeal to me, but the conceit is charming, and I did like the kid who has a hat brim that looks like the inside of a watermelon. I’d love to have that hat too.
Possum Magic, by Mem Fox, illustrated by Julie Vivas. Possibly THE most Australian experience of my life, up to and including the time I actually visited Australia. A magic possum and her granddaughter tour the major cities of Australia, eating classic Australian foods like Vegemite sandwiches and lamingtons along the way.
Where the Forest Meets the Sea, written and illustrated by Jeannie Baker. A story about a boy and his father boating over for a picnic on the beach of the Daintree rainforest in Queensland, with absolutely gorgeous collage illustrations. Thrilling to look at and also thrilling to try to figure out what materials Baker used to construct the images.
Edward the Emu, by Sheena Knowles, illustrated by Rod Clement. I picked this one because of the cover, which features a grumpy emu lying flat on the ground. Who among us has not felt like that some days? Edward the emu is tired of being an emu, so he pops over to visit the seals, the lions, the snakes, etc., until he overhears someone saying that the emu is their favorite exhibit in the zoo. Well well WELL. That puts being an emu in a new light!
Who Sank the Boat?, written and illustrated by Pamela Allen. Recommended bylittlerhymes as a childhood favorite, and I could absolutely see a child requesting this story over and over and over and over and over and squealing with glee at the ending every time. (A most unexpected character sinks the boat.) Might lend this one to my mother to read to my niece.
A delightful exploration! I wish to continue my meander through classic Australian children’s books. Any recommendations?
littlerhymes sent me the Guardian’s poll for Australia’s Best Picture Books. As I am nothing if not suggestible, at least where picture books are concerned, of course I couldn’t help reading a few. Magic Beach, written and illustrated by Alison Lester, which alternates scenes of children playing at the beach with their corresponding imaginary adventures: they build a sandcastle, then imagine charging across the moat to defeat a fiery dragon, etc. The style of the illustrations doesn’t particularly appeal to me, but the conceit is charming, and I did like the kid who has a hat brim that looks like the inside of a watermelon. I’d love to have that hat too.
Possum Magic, by Mem Fox, illustrated by Julie Vivas. Possibly THE most Australian experience of my life, up to and including the time I actually visited Australia. A magic possum and her granddaughter tour the major cities of Australia, eating classic Australian foods like Vegemite sandwiches and lamingtons along the way.
Where the Forest Meets the Sea, written and illustrated by Jeannie Baker. A story about a boy and his father boating over for a picnic on the beach of the Daintree rainforest in Queensland, with absolutely gorgeous collage illustrations. Thrilling to look at and also thrilling to try to figure out what materials Baker used to construct the images.
Edward the Emu, by Sheena Knowles, illustrated by Rod Clement. I picked this one because of the cover, which features a grumpy emu lying flat on the ground. Who among us has not felt like that some days? Edward the emu is tired of being an emu, so he pops over to visit the seals, the lions, the snakes, etc., until he overhears someone saying that the emu is their favorite exhibit in the zoo. Well well WELL. That puts being an emu in a new light!
Who Sank the Boat?, written and illustrated by Pamela Allen. Recommended by
littlerhymes as a childhood favorite, and I could absolutely see a child requesting this story over and over and over and over and over and squealing with glee at the ending every time. (A most unexpected character sinks the boat.) Might lend this one to my mother to read to my niece. A delightful exploration! I wish to continue my meander through classic Australian children’s books. Any recommendations?
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Date: 2026-02-16 05:04 pm (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2026-02-16 11:07 pm (UTC)Another great Australian picture book we had was Sebastian Lives in a Hat, about a baby rescue wombat.
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Date: 2026-02-17 01:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2026-02-17 08:17 am (UTC)*raising hand* Yes. I am the child.
I'm glad you enjoyed this little jaunt! Since you liked Animalia, I do think you'd like The Eleventh Hour too. And I think Shaun Tan's work is always interesting, his illustrations are so lovely.
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Date: 2026-02-17 01:24 pm (UTC)I'm a little scared of The Eleventh Hour tbh, on account of all the puzzles. Do you have to go deep into decoding the book in order to get it, or can you just chill and enjoy the illustrations?
Does Shaun Tan do picture books? I read Tales from the Inner City but I didn't realize he wrote/illustrated for children too. Do you have a favorite picture book of his?
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Date: 2026-02-17 01:51 pm (UTC)I think you can enjoy The Eleventh Hour as a beautiful picture book. I don't remember all the puzzles tbh!
Yes, Shaun Tan is most well known for his picture books, they are very beautiful and award winning. The Lost Thing is whimsical, The Red Tree is very sad. The Arrival is possibly his most famous book - it's a story about migration, quite poignant and beautiful, told entirely in pictures. He has several others but those are the best ones I think.
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Date: 2026-02-17 06:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2026-03-04 04:38 pm (UTC)(Though I’d still hope an actual visit to Australia would be more Australian :-) )
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Date: 2026-03-04 09:24 pm (UTC)