Australian Poetry Picture Books
Children’s Books by Mem Fox, Tom Keneally, Sheena Knowles and Others
There are many picture books for children that include Australian characters and celebrate the Australian culture.
Amid the wonderful range of Australian children’s books are several that have stories written as poetry or songs. The detailed illustrations will enchant children, the lyrical rhythms will draw them in to the stories and the Australian element of the books makes them ideal as gifts for children of friends and family in other countries as well as at home.
Sailaway. The Ballad of Skip & Nell by Mem Fox (Scholastic, 1986)
Written by the much loved author of more than 30 books for children including the classic Possum Magic. Skip and Nell are two Northern Territory dingo pups who jump onto a redgum log and sail around Australia, heading for a great boat race in Western Australia. As they travel, the meet a variety of Australian native animals including a sulphur-crested cockatoo, wombat, cane toad and dolphins. Written as a poem, this is a fun adventure story for young children.
Roos in Shoes by Tom Keneally (Random House, 2003)
Some might be surprised to discover that the author of this fun story written as a poem also penned Schindler’s Ark (later made into the movie Schindler’s List starring Liam Neeson). In Roos in Shoes, a mob of kangaroos decides to help out a local farming family, the Drewes, being pressured by developers to sell their land. To bring attention to the problem, the ‘roos start wearing shoes (to help the Drewes get on the news). This story embodies the Australian ethos of helping out a friend and the struggle of the underdog, while being totally silly and very enjoyable. Great for infants and primary school aged children.
Edward the Emu and Edwina the Emu by Sheena Knowles & Rod Clement (ill.) (Harper Collins, 1998 and 1997 respectively)
Very enjoyable rhyming stories about two emus with lots of personality. The characters are brought to life by the incredibly detailed and expressive illustrations. Edward is frustrated with his lot in life and wishes that he was more interesting, like the other animals at the zoo. Each day he visits a different animal enclosure, but each day he hears a visitor state that there is a more interesting animal elsewhere in the zoo. Finally he hears someone say that the emu is their favourite and he returns to his enclosure, only to discover that Edwina has arrived in his absence.
Once a nest of eggs arrive for the pair, Edwina decides she needs to find some way of supporting her family and goes off to find a job. The many mishaps as she answers wanted ads in the local paper finally bring her back to the zoo, where she is happy to share the responsibility of the young chicks with Edward.
(See also Olga the Brolga by Rod Clement)
An Aussie Night before Christmas by Yvonne Morrison
Aussie Jingle Bells by Colin Buchanan
The Golden Kangaroo by Garrison Valentine
For those who have grown up in Australia with sunburn more likely on Christmas day than snow, Christmas stories from Europe and the US often don’t have a personal connection. These three books all celebrate the unique Australian Christmas – sunshine, heat, barbecues, T-shirts and shorts, and family gatherings around the pool. Australian animals and plants feature heavily along with some local Christmas substitutions (such as Santa riding in a rusty Holden ute).
The Golden Kangaroo features a CD sung by Australia’s balladeer John Williamson and Aussie Jingle Bells is accompanied by Tamworth Golden Guitar winner Colin Buchanan.
These great stories written for Australian children will delight family members of all ages and encourage Aussie kids to enjoy and celebrate their unique national identity. They also make wonderful gift ideas for teachers and friends.
