Over the years I have collected a number of children’s books about Australia from being a Kindergarten teacher in Sydney and gifts from relatives.
The list includes a mix of new and classic books from Australia.
Do you have any other recommendations for books about Australia? We would love to hear about it!
12 Children’s Books about Australia that we own and love
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Little Brown Bushrat by Georgie Ripper I love the gorgeous, bright illustrations. The brown bushrat is envious of the other animals and thinks that he isn’t good at anything. When disaster strikes, he finds that he is indeed good at something. Great book to discuss self confidence. |
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Blue Gum Ark by Jean Chapman & Sue O’Loughlin An Aussie rendition of the Noah’s ark. A silly, rhyming tale featuring all Australian animals. |
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Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French, illustrated by Bruce Whatley A very popular Australian book from the perspective of a wombat. A pretty simple life eating, sleeping, and begging for carrots. Would be fun for children to write their own diaries. |
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Wombat Stew by Marcia K. Vaughan, illustrated by Pamela Lofts Group of Australian animals (Koala, Emu, Echnida, Kookaburra, Blue tongued lizard) trick the Dingo into not putting the Wombat into his stew. Beautiful illustrations. First published 30 years ago! |
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One Woolly Wombat by Kerry Argent Another classic book published over 30 years ago. A counting Australian animal book with delightful, rhyming text. |
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Come Fly with Captain Kangaroo illustrated by Mandy Foot Our newest addition to our book collection, this one was sent to us by my father-in-law who is a pilot. Fun, engaging, rhyming text featuring all the popular and well-loved Australian animals. |
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Edward the Emu and Edwina the Emu by Sheena Knowles, illustrated by Rod Clement My all-time favorite Australian picture book, Edward the Emu. I loved reading this book aloud to my students and using the story as a tool to discuss self confidence and celebrating one’s own characteristics. |
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Possum Magic by Mem Fox, illustrated by Julie Vivas Another timeless tale from the very popular Mem Fox, one of Australian finest authors. A very darling story of Grandma Possum and her granddaughter who travel around Australia looking for magic. Named as Australia’s best-selling children’s book. |
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Possum Goes to School by Melanie Carter, illustrated by Nicola Oram A fun, repetitive story following a possum who goes into the different rooms of a school, until he finds his home back outside in a tree. Great book to discuss importance of finding our home. |
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Steve Parish Storybooks Stories by Rebecca Johnson I absolutely love Steve Parish’s Australian photography. We also love his Australian calendars, coffee table books, and diaries. He has now published a whole slew of Australian children’s books with his close-up photos of Australian animals. A real treat. You can often find them in packs of six books. |
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Luke’s A to Z of Australian Animals: A Kids Yoga Alphabet Coloring Book A fun, interactive coloring book to learn about unique Australian animals and the alphabet. |
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Luke’s Beach Day by Giselle Shardlow, illustrated by Emily Gedzyk A fun, interactive and educational book with a kids yoga sequence on an Australian beach. |
