My first baby Australian animals by Fiona Bowden

From the platypus on the front cover to the fairy penguin at the end, this little book of Australian animals and their offspring is sure to be a constantly shared experience between babies and their parents and siblings. Seven animals including an emu, koala, ringtail possum and barking gecko are shown in detail and their correct names given, while their young are all represented in a detailed drawing alongside the correct word used to describe the offspring giving readers a range of chicks and joeys, as well as a hatchling and a puggle.

Children will love viewing the black and white illustrations, seeing the detail clearly laid out for them. The contrast makes the features of each animal clear and unequivocal helping younger children to see exactly what thee animals look like.

The last double page presents the seven offspring with their correct names, prompting families to recall the name of the parent of each.

This series of little board books, easy for small hands to accommodate, are sturdy enough for lots of holding, grabbing and  sometimes rough treatment. The use of black and white makes it easier for young eyes to assimilate the differences, unheeded by background and clutter. They can concentrate on the shapes presented.

Several other books in black and white have been published by Little Book Press: Sing, My first shapes, My every day shoes and My food shapes.

Raising Literacy Australia is a non profit organisation which promotes literacy and more about the group can be found here.

They encourages people to read, sing, talk and play everyday because literacy in the early years matters.

More about Little Book Press, their aims and range of publications can be found on the website.

Themes: Board book, Australian animals, Babies, Baby animals, Literacy.

Fran Knight