A is for Australia by Frane Lessac

Walker Books, 2017. ISBN 9781925381979
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. A is for Australia is a beautiful picture book based on Australia. It is a wonderful way for a child and their family to learn about the country; its landmarks, towns, cities and features. As readers, they become a tourist in their own country. As well as beautiful illustrations, each page has a variety of facts about the place or feature. The reader will also travel across the country from Tasmania to Queensland and the outback of South Australia. Have you heard of Qui Qui? It is a sheep station in Queensland and children can learn about the Flying Doctors, mustering and how children in the outback go to school. Find out about the Nullabor Plain and the huge population of camels. Discover Lake Eyre dragons and the bunyip that lives in the lake. Investigate the capital cities of Melbourne and Sydney and see the beautiful wild flowers that grow in the Walls of Jerusalem National Park.
A is for Australia is a great 'before bed' read as well as a great book for the classroom. In a unit on Australia, the class could read about a different part of Australia each week. They could map the locations and investigate the natural features of the areas with Google maps. Students could compare real life photos of the areas with the illustrations.
This book is highly recommended for readers aged 3+ when reading with an adult as well as readers aged 7+ when reading independently.
Kylie Kempster