Reviewed by Wendy Lipke
The story in this bright, square, hard covered children’s book follows four bunnies as they set off on a trip around Australia. They do this using various modes of transport.
They arrive in Sydney in a sea plane then take a jeep to more outback areas before boarding a hot air balloon where they find fairy bread. They travel through wetlands and billabongs before heading to the beach. A boat takes them to the Great Barrier Reef where they go snorkelling to view the amazing fish and coral.
The words of the title of this book are also found on most of the double pages of this story reinforcing the adventure of the bunnies. These pages also contain flaps to lift up which reveal more things of interest found in each setting. On their adventure the bunnies discover kangaroos, emus, koalas, crocodiles as well as sea creatures.
The last page pulls together most of the animals the bunnies have come across during their adventure. The illustrations on this page show the bunnies on the beach, around a fire, with their ‘new friends’.
This is a good children’s book with lots of educational benefits. Small words with repetitive sounds are used. The illustrations are bright and interesting with many secrets to discover all of which could generate learning opportunities.
The pages are thick so should resist wear from constant handling.
The author, Martha Mumford, has written many picture books for children including other books in the Bunny Adventure series.
The illustrations which complement this story were produced by Ag Jatkowska, a graduate from a University of Fine Arts in Poland. She has a fondness for drawing animals and children, bringing them to life on the page.
I can imagine many hours spent reading this book to children as they learn more about the Australian landscape and the animals it contains.
We’re Hopping Around Australia
(2024)
by Martha Mumford
Illustrated by Ag Jatkowska
Bloomsbury Children’s Books
ISBN: 978-1-5266-7566-8
$17.99; 28pp