Snakes awake by Jarrod Paine and Shannon Boland

This is an apt book to be published during the winter months, warning people of the danger lurking in the coming spring and summer when people are anxious to get out and enjoy the open air after months of being inside. The story warns of the dangers of walking in the bush and tells readers how they should behave to minimise the possibility of getting bitten by a snake.

With about 3000 snakebites a year in Australia, resulting in two deaths with 13% needing anti venom medication, snakebite is a real concern. Many animals, particularly dogs and cats, are bitten and some die, while up to 88% recover.

Mum and her daughter love to walk in the bush, taking care to take water, a mobile phone, and first aid kit, while both women wear strong boots and long pants. During the walk, mum points things out to her daughter: look before walking over a log, check the path ahead, quietly back away if a snake is sighted.

They recalled their neighbours, who having a back yard with many hiding places for snakes, had to ring a snake catcher. The story shows the snake catcher at work, and children will be able to talk about ways of minimising the possibility of snakes hiding in their yards.

Without being overly pedantic, the story encapsulates many of the messages needed for young readers to be aware of but not frightened by snakes.
Boland’s technique using gouache, pencil and layered paper, gives a impression of collage with bold accents of colour, giving a wonderful background to the story. The earthy colours accentuate the bush where many snakes can be found, alerting readers to the places where they must be extra careful. The book gives rules about walking in the bush and survival and these are repeated in the next two pages after the story is finished, followed by two pages showing how someone with a snake bite should be treated. Teacher's notes are available.

Themes: Snakes, Snake bite, Bush lore, Snake catchers.

Fran Knight