Australia

A trip through primeval rain forest in Queensland, "my father knows a place we can only reach by boat." Gorgeous mixed-media collages are so life-like, each tangled creeper, nubby branch, hanging root, squiggly snake or vanished dinosaur seems real. (Picture book)

In the heart of Australia is Uluru (Ayers Rock). Excellent overview of Uluru, not only as a geological wonder (the world's biggest single rock), but as a sacred place of the Aboriginal people, connected to creation time stories, and a home to desert wildlife. (Illustrated chapter book)

Water is life in dry, dusty Australia, and everyone waits for the rain – an old man snoozes in the shade of the tree, dogs dig holes to keep cool, kids swim in the billabong, frogs lap up the smallest drops of water, and then … "there was rain." Colorful illustrations, like Aboriginal art. (Picture book)

Explore the fascinating marine life of Australia – reef sharks, blue ringed octopus, hawksbill turtles, leafy sea dragons, lionfish, dugongs, sea wasps, and salt water crocodiles. Assemble each ocean animal and set them up in a stunning diorama! (Activity book)

Find out about the colorful creatures that live in the Great Barrier Reef – clownfish, wrasses, anemones, parrotfish, manta rays, coral, sponges, eels, turtles. Gorgeously illustrated. (Picture book)

Wild adventures of Andrew and his cousin Judy in the Australian rain forest and desert. Shrunk to the size of bugs, the kids are nearly lunch for a carnivorous plant in the jungle. Meat eater ants in the desert think the kids are a snack, but they’re saved by a lumpy lizard. (Easy reader)

Limpey, a warty cane toad, is looking for a better home for himself and his rellies (relatives). Accompanied by his sister Charm and cousin Goliath, Limpey searches for a national park where there are brilliant mud slides, fragrant swamps and every living thing is protected, even cane toads. A fun read. (Chapter book)

Don't miss Limpey's first adventure: Toad Rage

Dusty loves life on a remote cattle ranch, especially her Snow Pony, a wild mountain horse that she tamed and trained. Up on the high plains, when her dad is injured, it's up to Dusty and the Snow Pony to go for help. A fun read for older kids. (Chapter book)

Flat Stanley's shape is perfect for surfing and snorkeling at the beach, but when Stanley is tossed in the air like a boomerang, he lands in desert outback. Lost in the bush, will hopping like a kangaroo get him home? (Easy reader)

“Over in Australia in a eucalyptus tree, lived a cuddly gray koala and her little joeys three.” A rhyming story with gorgeous collages takes you to the forests, grasslands and deserts of Australia. Ten different animals, plus a hidden animal in every collage. (Picture book)

Adorable story of two possums, Hush and Grandma Poss. Grandma Poss made Hush invisible so he'd be safe from snakes, but when the two possums travel around Australia, munching on people food, like magic, you can see Hush again. (Picture book)

And two other charming tales by Mem Fox: Koala Lou and Hunwick's Egg

Riley and Alice are off to Australia to a sheep station, where they find poddy lambs and the life of the cowboy, along with dingoes, kookaburras, kangaroos and koalas in the fast-disappearing eucalyptus trees. Importance of conservation, and super photographs of all the animals. (Picture book)

And their next adventure at the Great Barrier Reef: Riddle of the Reef

Take a trip around Australia, the largest island or the smallest continent, Sydney's sail-shaped opera house and famous bridge, strange animals in the Taronga Zoo, into the outback, mines and a 2,280 ounces gold nugget, deserts, beaches, falling coconuts in Darwin, and more. Whimsical illustrations, this is a classic. (Picture book)

Get to know the landscape, people and culture of Australia – outback and beaches, amazing animals, indigenous peoples and art, history, cities, and sports. (Picture book)

"At Eucla we had sandy sandwiches near the ruins of the old telegraph station." Charming family road trip around Australia – snorkeling in Turquoise Bay, an underground river at Tunnel Creek, bushwalking in the Blue Mountains and more. A wonderful introduction to Australia, based on the author's childhood travels. (Picture book)