Heidi Cooper Smith, Hatch, CSIRO Publishing, April 2025, 32 pp., RRP $26.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781486318278
Another wonderful information picture book from CSIRO Publishing, this attractive title shows a variety of Australian animals which lay eggs. Included are marine animals, birds, insects, reptiles and our unique monotremes. The warm illustrations consist of full single and double-page spreads and the endpapers show the eggs at the front and the corresponding animals at the end.
The text is short with only one or a couple of sentences on each page. However, there is further information at the back, in addition to a glossary. In addition, there are puzzles to be solved. Many of the pages include a small or hidden vignette of the animal from the previous page. As well, at the back on the “Easter eggs – hidden surprises!” pages are six more animals to be found in the earlier pages.
Heidi Cooper Smith uses digital watercolour brushes for her illustrations. Various habitats are included, and the animals are shown with less scary, more smiley faces (e.g. the crocodile) ideal for the youngest readers.
There are teachers’ notes available from the CSIRO website.
Reviewed by Lynne Babbage
