Australia, or "Down Under" is wild, wonderful and filled with incredible creatures and stories. Aboriginal people have lived on the giant island for thousands of years. Later, it became a British prison colony, and today, it is a thriving center for the arts, an important cattle farming hub and home to some of the most unique creatures on the planet. Explore one of the most fascinating places on our globe with these 40 picture books about Australia.
1. I Don't Like Koala
Adam doesn't like Koala. He tries to get rid of him at every turn, but every morning, Koala is there next to him in bed. This fun book is sure to become a classic. Illustrated by Australian artist Charles Santoso.
Learn more: Amazon
2. Emu's Halloween
Emu is having all her friends over for a Halloween party. She wants to have the scariest costume, but what should she be? This picture book is filled with other adorable Australian animals and is a great tie-in between holidays and geography.
Learn more: Amazon
3. Splosh for the Billabong
Splosh for the Billabong features a simple text with indigenous illustrations. The back of the book includes a bilingual rendering of the text in English and Yanyuwa, an indigenous Australian language.
Learn more: Amazon
4. The Really Old Forest
This beautiful story is a conversation between English and Australian pen pals and features the natural landscape of Millaa Millaa, a tropical rainforest in Queensland. The book also discusses the effects of people, slash-and-burn practices, and other ways the rainforests are being threatened. The Really Old Forest would be a great science and writing tie-in.
Learn more: Amazon
5. Tiddalick the Greedy Frog
This story has been loved by Australian indigenous children for years, and now has been retold and illustrated for everyone! Tiddalick was a greedy frog and drank all the water, turning the land into drought. The animals tried to make him laugh with no success until the eel began to dance. Learn how water returned to Australia in this folk tale.
Learn more: Amazon
6. Christmas Wombat
Author of Diary of a Wombat, Jackie French, is back with another wombat tale. It's Christmas time, and everyone's favorite wombat is busy eating grass until he discovers some mysterious creatures eating his carrots! After an epic battle, he clambers into Santa's sleigh for a wild adventure--and more carrots.
Learn more: Amazon
7. Look See, Look at Me
The illustrations in this book are filled with so much life and feature an indigenous child. Now that he is three, he can do so much! This book also is a look into the life of aboriginal people of Australia.
Learn more: Amazon
8. Bilby Moon
Little Bilby left her den for the first time. As she looks up in the sky, she realizes a piece of the moon is missing. Eventually, it disappears altogether! Owl tells her it will come back, she just needs to wait. This darling story features colorful illustrations of native animals in the bush.
Learn more: Amazon
9. Top to Bottom Down Under
Follow the Lewins as they roam the wilds of the "Down Under". This innovative picture book combines highly detailed botanical-style pictures of almost photographic quality with quirky cartoon asides of the Lewins' adventures. The text is full of scientific information and fun factoids.
Learn more: Amazon
10. Marsupial Sue presents "The Runaway Pancake"
This energetic story details a group of Australian animals putting on a play in which Marsupial Sue and her friends race after a pancake. It seems like the pancake is going to get away--until the fox slyly convinces the pancake to get a little too close!
Learn more: Amazon
11. Lizzie Nonsense
Lizzie and her family are pioneers and live far from town in the Australian bush. Her papa has to go to town to sell lumber, and Lizzie, her mother, and the baby are left alone. Lizzie sees a bit of magic in everything and makes up stories to pass the time until Papa returns.
Learn more: Amazon
12. At the Beach
At the Beach is a classic Australian picture book by Australian author, Roland Harvey. Each page spread features handwritten postcards, a beach scene, and a forgetful bicyclist who slowly loses his things throughout the book.
Learn more: Amazon
13. Old Shell, New Shell
Dive beneath the waves of an Australian beach to follow the story of a hermit crab looking for a new shell. Each page of this magical story is filled with colorful fish that accompany the hermit crab on his search to find a new home.
Learn more: Amazon
14. Ernie Dances to the Digeridoo
The second of Alison Lester's books, this time following Ernie to Arnhem Lands features Australian children doing everyday activities throughout the six seasons. This fun picture book is a celebration of Aboriginal culture.
Learn more: Amazon
15. Big Red Kangaroo
Follow Red and his mob across the Australian bush in this gorgeous story. Will they survive? What happens when another male challenges Red? The detailed illustrations and accompanying factoids fill out the text.
Learn more: Amazon
16. There Was an Old Lady That Swallowed a Mozzie
This fun book is a classic of Aussie picture books. Enjoy this twist on the classic, There Was an Old Lady...complete dingos, mozzies, and more! This remains one of Australia's best-selling children's books after more than a decade.
Learn more: Amazon
17. My Marvellous Mum
This adorable board book celebrates the love between mothers and children. Illustrations feature Aussie animals and a charming alliterative text.
Learn more: Amazon
18. The Emu That Laid the Golden Egg
This fun story follows Emma the Emu on a wild adventure. After she accidentally eats some gold nuggets, she lays a golden egg! Two rascals kidnap her, intending to get more golden eggs, but it doesn't go as planned. In the end, Emma is happy to return to her flock.
Learn more: Amazon
19. Water Witcher
This Australian book details the curious practice of "water-witching" or using a special stick to find the best spot to dig for a well. Set during the 1920s, the simple line drawings capture the imagination and motion of the boy's imagination in this beautiful book.
Learn more: Amazon
20. The Little Aussie Alphabet
I love the bright illustrations in this charming alphabet book! Each page also includes a longer explanation for each letter, so it can be read for and by kids of all ages.
Learn more: Amazon
21. A is for Aunty
This alphabet book is a look into an Aboriginal Australian family's life during the 1950s in a mission settlement. Throughout, you see the struggle between being forced to live as whites and trying to preserve their Aboriginal culture during the time of the Stolen Generation. Based on a true story of the author's life.
Learn more: Amazon
22. Wombat Goes Walkabout
A friendly wombat leaves his hole to look for his mom, and to dig a few holes. As various animals pass, they show off their talents, unimpressed with his "digging business". Suddenly, a fire breaks out. What will the animals do? Where is Wombat's mom? This is a great book for reminding kids they each have a special gift.
Learn more: Amazon
23. One Less Fish
One Less Fish is a cautionary tale of the Great Barrier Reef. Counting backward from 12, it is a look at the effects of people and pollution on our natural habitat.
Learn more: Amazon
24. Return of the Dinosaurs
Written by much-loved children's author, Bronwyn Houston, Return of the Dinosaurs reflects on what would happen if the dinosaurs returned to Australia today. How would they act? This fun story is filled with colorful illustrations and features more scientific information in the back.
Learn more: Amazon
25. Great Barrier Reef
This book compiles information from climate scientists, biologists, marine biologists, and others into an easy-to-read volume on one of the largest coral reefs in our world. It examines the effects of climate change and pollution on this unique habitat. This is a great addition to any science unit book list.
Learn more: Amazon
26. Swim for Cover
This Australian animal book takes a closer look at all the animals in the Great Barrier Reef. Something is after an octopus. She warns all of her fish friends as she swims by, but they all have natural defenses. What will the octopus do? Then she remembers she can disappear in a cloud of ink!
Learn more: Amazon
27. This is the Reef
The beautiful illustrations in This is the Reef colorfully capture the lively Great Barrier Reef. Each page is full of brightly-colored fish and marine life. The last two pages show various species featured in the book as well as provide information about keeping coral reefs safe.
Learn more: Amazon
28. Steve Irwin
This biography of outdoorsman Steve Irwin is a joyful journey through his early years and short career. It is filled with wonderful stories from his childhood, lots of pictures, and interesting facts about the animals he loved so much.
Learn more: Amazon
29. Koalas, Kites, and Kangaroos
This classic book features beautiful watercolor illustrations as readers go on a beautiful journey through the Australian continent and the alphabet. A list of words at the end encourages readers to go back to each page and look for other items that start with a particular letter.
Learn more: Amazon
30. Hello, Mama Wallaroo
The question and answer format of this text help children to learn about one of the more unique Australian animals. Detailed illustrations showcase the natural landscape of the wallaroos' habitat throughout Mama Wallaroo's beautiful journey.
Learn more: Amazon
31. Out in the Bush
This Australian animal book is filled with adorable rhymes about mothers teaching their baby offspring to do what they do best--whether it be coil, boom, swim, or something else. The book is also written in rhyming form and helps young ones learn to count to ten. The end of the book includes interesting facts about each animal.
Learn more: Amazon
32. Waltzing Matilda
This classic Australian folk song has been turned into a picture book. The beautiful country of the Australian bush is showcased throughout. Singing along is encouraged as you read!
Learn more: Amazon
33. When the Snake Bites the Sun
Pamela Lofts has compiled an Aboriginal tale explaining the origin of day and night. Once, there were two suns, but the land grew too hot. One day, one of the suns climbed high, far from the earth, where she was bitten by a snake! She had to return to her mother's sun to be nursed back to health. From that day forth, the sun has traveled across the sky and rested at night.
Learn more: Amazon
34. Patterns of Australia
This innovative picture book features Aboriginal art, as well as opportunities to find objects hidden on each page. This would also make a beautiful coffee table book for any Australian book-lover.
Learn more: Amazon
35. Sam's Bush Journey
Sam doesn't like the bush--it gives him a headache. One night, though, he mysteriously wakes up in the bush and doesn't know how he got there. Sam's Bush Journey, illustrated by Bronwyn Bancroft, is a journey of discovery of all the beautiful things the bush has to offer.
Learn more: Amazon
36. The Old Frangipani Tree at Flying Fish Point
Faithy-girl needs a costume for the school carnival, but her family has no money for something new. Her sisters help her dress up as an island queen with flowers from the frangipani tree, and she wins the contest! The bright illustrations are a wonderful companion to this heartwarming story of family and courage.
Learn more: Amazon
37. Nagalculli, the red kangaroo
This magical story tells how Lighthouse Mountain came to be, and how peace was made between the Bird People and Kangaroo People. The beautiful landscapes and colorful illustrations help to capture the wonder and dreamlike quality of Milkee and Ngalculli's journey.
Learn more: Amazon
38. The Last of His Tribe
This book is an illustrated version of the 19th-century poem by Australian author, Henry Kendall. The beautiful illustrations capture the sadness of the Aboriginal warrior as he reflects on his life and how he is the last of his tribe.
Learn more: Amazon
39. Grug Plays Cricket
This fun story features the classic imaginary bush character, Grug. This time, Grug is playing cricket with his friend, Cara the snake. Not everything goes as planned.
Learn more: Amazon
40. Somewhere in Australia
This book features beautiful landscapes full of Australian animals from across the continent. Somewhere in Australia can also be used as a counting book, as it features animals with their mothers in groups from one to ten.
Learn more: Amazon
38 Books to Teach Your Child Social Skills