What’s not to like about Australia? Some of the coolest animals in the world live there, the beaches are beautiful, and many of the best children’s books are set in the land down under. In fact, my favorite children’s book is from Australia:
Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge
By Mem Fox (author) and Julie Vivas (illustrator)
Picture book for all ages
Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge is a little boy who lives next to an old folks home inhabited by wonderful seniors. His favorite friend there is Miss Nancy Alison Delacourt Cooper who also has four names. When Wilfrid learns that Miss Nancy has lost her memory, he sets out to help her find it.
This is a book with heart and I find myself a bit teary every time I turn the last page. Miss Nancy looks like my grandmother Nancy. I used to read it to her every time we were together. Sigh. This book portrays older people with love and admiration and shows how special relationships can be between generations. Every family should own this book. Seriously!
There are so many wonderful books set in Australia but I’ll share just one more:
Possum Magic
By Mem Fox (author) and Julie Vivas (illustrator)
Picture book for ages 4-8
A little possum named Hush lives in the Australian Bush with magical Grandma Poss. Grandma made Hush invisible which was fun until it wasn’t. Hush wants to be seen again but, oops- Grandma forgot how to make that happen. When Grandma remembers the solution has something to do with food, she and Hush set off through Australia and sample foods. Finally, they find just the right ones and Hush, bit by bit, becomes visible.
Here’s one of the food items that helps Hush be visible:
I love maps in books and here’s a great one drawn by Julie Vivas:
So, not only does this book share another story of love between generations but it includes awesome Australian animals, fabulous foods, and a visual and epicurean tour of Australia.
Mem Fox has a wonderful website where she shares the stories behind her stories and gives great advise to writers as well as those who love children. It is definitely as great place to visit.
And, here’s a picture of me and my hubby on our own field trip to Australia:
This post is part of the A to Z April Blog Challenge.
It is also part of my own Read Your World Challenge. Is there a place that starts with A that you’d like to visit?
Good challenge, Claire, that fits well your passion for kids’ literature and travels. Looking forward to seeing more this month. Cheers!
My cousin is about the move to Australia. I’ll have to give her this link!
Good luck with the 2015 A to Z Challenge!
A to Z Co-Host S. L. Hennessy
http://pensuasion.blogspot.com
Thanks for visiting and for Co-Hosting the A-Z challenge. I hope you’ll get a chance to visit your cousin in Australia.
Your description of Wilfred Gordon… totally made me tear up. It sounds absolutely lovely! My mom works in a nursing home so I will have to tell her about it. I’m sure her seniors would appreciate the book!
Happy A day 🙂
~AJ Lauer
an A-Z Cohost
@ayjaylauer on Twitter
Hi AJ, Thanks for your nice comment. Yes, get a copy from the library for your mom. It is hard to find books that acknowledge and celebrate older folks. Thanks for being a Cohost for the a-z challenge!
I love your handwriting program for your comments! Very cool. Really enjoyed your post for ‘A’. I have a few online friends who live in Australia, so I’s love to get down there, as well as one high school friend who moved there. I’d also love to visit Tasmania. Happy A to Z-ing!
Hi Julia, I would also love to go to Tasmania. My daughter went to school in Australia and managed to get to Tasmania and loved it. Thanks for joining me on this a-z journey.
Oh what an awesome field trip that would be! I’ve never been to Australia but would love to one day. I love finding books that are set there 🙂
Love your theme! I would like to visit Alaska at some point.
Yvonne
Thanks for the interesting write-up on Australia as well as relationships between generations. It is so important. My daughter and her Gramies are best friends. Her Gramies is on her deathbed as I write. It is going to be really tough on my daughter, but she has had some wonderful ‘last’ moments with her these past couple of days.
Interesting post ! felt so nice to comment, with the handwriting here..
Thanks! I think the handwriting is fun, too.
What sweet book recommendations! The books I read when I was a child always stuck with me. I imagine these books stick with the children who read them too. I can’t say that I’m a big fan of vegemite or marmite, but now that I know it has magical powers, my view of them might have changed.
Do you ever read books set in the places where you travel?
I visited Australia many years ago and enjoyed my trip very much.
It just so happens I’m reading an adult fiction book set in Australia right now.
Hi Cynthia,
What are you reading. I love books set in Australia.
Win! win! win! I love Mem Fox, my honey and I are planning a trip to Australia soon, and I’m a librarian so LOVE books! The artwork looks wonderful as well. I’m definitely checking these out. Gail
Gail – Thanks for stopping by. Have a great trip to Australia. Look into the QT hotel in Sydney. Lots of fun, great location and reasonably priced.
I love all Mem Fox books!
Hello,
Thanks for sharing. Are you able to tell me where you found the Possum Magic ‘map’ of Australia by Julie Vivas?
Thanks Melissa
Hi Melissa,
The map is on the last page of the book.