Koalas, kites and kangaroos: An Australian alphabet book by David Ridyard
Ill. by Doreen Gristwood. Scholastic Australia, 2013. ISBN: 9781742838724.
(Age: 4+) Picture book. Australian animals. Alphabet book. Koalas,
Kites and Kangaroos was originally published in 1985 and this
reprinting introduces a new generation to this loved picture book.
The verse that starts the reader on their 'look and find' journey
invites us to:
Turn over the pages and take a close look
At this wonderful, colourful ALPHABET BOOK!
The search is on for animals and objects from A to Z within each
double page spread. Doreen Gristwood's pastel watercolours and
simple backgrounds are still engaging with the new audience after
twenty-eight years. We search for ants at Ayers Rock, enjoy
kangaroos having fun roller-skating and end with the obvious but
non-Aussie zebras at the zoo. There is also a list of words at the
back of additional objects and animals to look for.
This is a direct reprinting that does bring up a few issues. Ayers
Rock could have been changed to Uluru and the discerning reader may
question why some of the animals are on the wrong page. Why are the
penguins partying on the I-J pages?
This is a classic Australian picture book suited to share with a
young audience from 2 years of age and beginning readers from 4-6
years.
Rhyllis Bignell