To intone Tom Gleeson, “Lately I’ve been really getting into…… children’s picture books. HARD.”
This binge viewing has been brought on by a trio of books published by Lothian, who have been publishing children’s books for forty years and have built a boutique list of Australian titles, including the recent publication of Favel Parrett’s novel, WANDI.
First up, THE AUSTRALIAN CLIMATE CHANGE BOOK by Polly Marsden, illustrated by Chris Nixon.
An accessible, empowering and reassuring text informs kids about the specific challenges of climate change and provides ideas and motivation to meet those challenges.
Marsden is the creator behind the concept for the Craig Reucassel hosted television documentary series, Big Weather (And How to Survive It). Her text for THE AUSTRALIAN CLIMATE CHANGE BOOK is well calibrated to present a big picture to little people, simply but passionately explaining the importance of balance in ecosystems and the way little things like eating local and recycling can have big positive impact.
Chris Nixon’s illustration are bright, busy and compatibly reassuring.
Not merely a passive read, THE AUSTRALIAN CLIMATE CHANGE BOOK is part activity book as well, stimulating action in recreation, recycling and re-use, further reading and research, and a bonus pull out poster.
THE CURIOSITIES by Zana Fraillon illustrated by Phil Lesnie is somewhat a celebration of neurodiversity, an imaginative exploration of alternative realms of reality, as experienced and perceived by individuals labelled disabled.
Award winning writer, Zana Fraillon was inspired by her child’s journey with Tourette Syndrome and THE CURIOSITIES seeks to encourage us all to embrace and extol diversity, viewing impairment not as an impoverishment but as enriching and insightful.
Illustrator Phil Lesnie was inspired by the folklore of the Philippines where those exhibiting neurodiverse traits were signs and portents that one had been selected by spirits. Lesnie paints a world where brain differences actually afford political power, where a person’s Curiosities are viewed as a communion with magic, essential to the life of a community.
Finally to get us into the festive feel, LITTLE BILBY’S AUSSIE BUSH CHRISTMAS by Yvonne Mes, illustrated by Jody Pratt.
LITTLE BILBY’S AUSSIE BUSH CHRISTMAS is a rhyming picture book for ages up to four years old and concerns a group of little bilbies – The Bilby Band – on a treasure hunt for decorations to adorn their Christmas tree.
On their quest, the Bilby Band encounter a lavish lizard, a magnanimous emu, and a bountiful wombat.
LITTLE BILBY’S AUSSIE BUSH CHRISTMAS is a joyful rhyming picture book that showcases Australia’s colourful and unique flora and fauna and includes a bonus puzzle page and Christmas craft activity.
LITTLE BILBY’s AUSSIE BUSH CHRISTMAS by Yvonne Mes and Jody Pratt
THE CURIOSITIES by Zana Fraillon and Phil Lesnie
THE AUSTRALIAN CLIMATE CHANGE BOOK by Polly Marsden and Chris Nixon
All published by Lothian Books through Hachette Australia.
Richard Cotter.