Jackie Hosking (text) and Lesley Vamos (illustrator), An Amazing Australian Road Trip, Walker Books, January 2021, 40 pp., RRP $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781760650766
Starting in Melbourne, the family pile into their car, on a quest to go west, to find a scenic spot to have a picnic and wish aunty a happy 60th birthday. They discover many amazing sites (and sights) as they travel around Australia, eventually arriving home for their long-awaited celebration.
This colourful narrative nonfiction book is a feast of interesting titbits about the most culturally significant places in our nation. The story is told in verse, with a destination on each double-page spread, including the place name and state, fascinating facts, and the occasional definition for Aussie slang. There are facts enough to match the rollicking verse and bright comical illustrations to keep the reader’s interest. Children will love making connections with the places they recognise.
Recommended for lower to middle primary readers.
Reviewed by Sharon Seymour
