Tony Flowers (illus), Hello!, National Library of Australia Publishing, 1 April 2016, 68pp., $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9780642278876
Hello! introduces the reader to Australian kids who can speak different languages. From the Torres Strait to Greece and South Korea, we hear these kids tell us about their favourite foods, the animals from their countries and traditions their families follow. We also learn how to count in Badu, Thai and Murrinhpatha, an indigenous language from Wadeye in the Northern Territory. At the back, we find even more information from the NLA collection, including photos, maps and fascinating facts and a pronunciation guide to each of the languages. Brightly illustrated and clearly laid out, this book is an interesting introduction to the twelve languages most frequently spoken in Australian homes. It is a lovely way to peek into the lives of Australian kids as they fish, drum, dance and play, all while learning a little more about some of the different cultural backgrounds that make up Australia.
Reviewed by Deborah Abela