Unique Stories About Australian Children: Review of Aussie Kids Series

This month the first two books in a very special new series will hit the shelves. Aussie Kids is a fiction series for emerging readers (6-8 years) that celebrates stories about children living in unique places in every state in Australia. There’s a child that lives in a NSW zoo, a Victorian lighthouse and a beach in Queensland – the premise is 8 characters, 8 stories, 8 authors and illustrators from all 8 states and territories!

Written by some of Australia’s best loved storytellers and illustrators, the first two instalments out this month are: Meet Zoe and Zac at the Zooby author Belinda Murrell and David Hardy and Meet Taj at the Lighthouse by Maxine Beneba Clarke and Nicki Greenberg.

No doubt you are familiar with Belinda Murrell, author of the extremely popular Pippa’s Island and Lulu Bell series amongst others. Equally well-known, Maxine Beneba Clarke is the author of a wide range of books including the stunning picture book Wide Big World, Fashionista, and CBCA Honour Book The Patchwork Bike.

At approximately 50 pages for each story and filled with highly engaging and vibrant illustrations, this series will capture the imagination of those learning to master reading and keep them captivated.

Each book is a lot of fun to read and will challenge young readers ideas about how and where Aussie kids live – you may find that they want to move to a lighthouse or zoo but a visit may just suffice!

It’s the perfect series to share with the young reader in your life. Even better, have them read it to you as the books are great discussion starters. Your children will have lots of questions about the different ways and locations that Aussie kids experience.

If you jump on the Penguin website, there is a fun and educational activity pack to download. In this pack you’ll find postcards, find-a-word, colouring in, spot the difference, true or false. There are also educational activities such as story prompts, ‘Australia’ in other languages, grammar activities, and knowledge-based activities. What more could you ask for?

Keep an eye out for the other titles in the series that will be released throughout the year.

Meet Eve in the Outback by Raewyn Caisley and Karen Blair

Meet Katie at the Beach by Rebecca Johnson and Lucia Masciullo

Meet Mia by the Jettyby Janeen and Danny Snell

Meet Sam at the Mangrive Creek by Paul Seden and Brenton McKenna

Meet Matilda at the Festival by Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern and Tania McCartney

Meet Dooley on the Farmby Sally Odgers and Christina Booth