An Aussie Year is a fun-filled peek into the lives of
five young children, and Warrigal, the dog. Each child has a different cultural
background and together they introduce readers to the wonderful multicultural
mix that is Australia.
I love the format of this book. It’s about learning
while having a lot of fun reading. Each page is full of details to find and things
to investigate as the reader follows Ned, Zoe, Lily, Kirra and Matilda on a
year-long journey. They go to school, play, celebrate cultural diversity and
visit amazing Australian places.
Special days are emphasized including those associated
with other cultures. I challenge any reader, young or old, not to open the page
for their birthday month without hoping to find something on their special day.
Even if no birthday event exists, every child will find days to identify with.
There’s weather, food, geography, flora, fauna, city life and country life.
Even Book Week.
A sense of humour and a clever way with words,
twisted, wound around and wrapped in speech bubbles make this book perfect for
shared reading.
Tina Snerling’s distinctive images and world trails
are colourful and bold. My favourite picture is Children’s Week where the kids
are jumping through puddles. That joyful sense of fun is everywhere in Tina’s
illustrations.
This is a clever example of an interactive book
with no technology necessary. An Aussie
Year will make children want to plan and share their own stories and adventures.
Recommended for schools, parents, independent young
readers, in fact, recommended for everybody.
Reviewed by Sandy Fussell
Title: An Aussie Year
Author:
Tania McCartney and Tina Snerling
Publisher: Exisle Publishing
Publication
Date: $19.99 RRP
Format: Hardback
Type: Picture
Book
