The great Aussie Easter egg-and-spoon race by Sophie Sayle. Illus. by Daron Parton

After the Easter Bilby leaves eggs for the bush babies, they paint the eggs and then hurry off to participate in the Great Easter Race. Wombat, Kangaroo and Bandicoot collect colourful things from their environment to decorate their eggs, but Echidna is still asleep. Kookaburra doe his best to wake her up, reminding her about getting ready for the race. The three animals share their decorations with Echidna and they all rush to the beach to start the race. Running off Echidna drops her egg, but Kookaburra urges her to get up quickly and finish the race. Kangaroo hops back and opens her pouch for her to get in. Several leaps later they cross the finishing line, Echidna winning by a nose.

A gentle story of cooperation and working together, the Great Easter Race is more about the friends  sharing, than eggs and chocolate, which makes a wonderful change from the books usually offered at Easter. .

The illustrations remind readers of the range of animals that are found in Australia, along with some flora they will recognise. The text alludes to games played in the past, egg and spoon race as well as the old tradition of decorating and painting your own Easter eggs. Classroom and homes may copy the hints given in the book to try it out for themselves.

Themes: Australian animals, Easter, Bilby, Sharing, Cooperation.

Fran Knight