'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Monday 12 January 2015

Review: A is for Australia

A is for Australia is a gorgeously illustrated alphabet book for children introducing them to some of Australia’s special places. From the ocean to the outback, author and illustrator Frané Lessac takes readers on a visual tour of familiar and not quite so familiar Australian places as she works through the alphabet.

With only 26 letters, it is impossible to feature every major city or landmark, but A is for Australia offers a wonderful selection of places that demonstrates the incredibly diverse geography and experiences to be found in this country. From Bondi to Kakadu, Oodnadatta to the Torres Strait Islands, by the end of the book readers will have a chance to visit every state and territory, beaches, outback, cities, wetlands and more.

Each letter is accompanied by wonderful painted illustrations that are filled with details including people, animals, plants and buildings. Each letter also includes a selection of facts about that location including references to the indigenous history and language of the area, information about flora and fauna, and curious historical facts (did you know that sailors once thought that dugongs were mermaids, or that until the early 1900s, swimming at Bondi Beach was banned between the hours of 9am and 8pm?)


A is for Australia captures the visual diversity of our beautiful country. It is the perfect book to share with family and friends overseas and is ideal for inclusion in family book collections as well as being a great resource for school classrooms and libraries.

The back cover invites readers to ‘Discover why Australia is one of the most amazing countries in the world!’ and A is for Australia certainly provides readers of all ages with evidence of just how amazing our country is.

Frané Lessac has prepared a book trailer for A is for Australia that can be viewed here.

Title: A is for Australia
Author/Illustrator: Frane Lessac
Publisher: Walker Books, $24.95 RRP
Publication Date: January 2015
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781922179760
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book