Following on from the popularity of our post on books to get your children excited about a lap of Australia, we’ve put together a list of our favourite Australian books for pre-schoolers. (because Aussie authors are the best!)
We try to travel as screen-free as possible, and books play a big part in this. We visit local libraries when we stop somewhere for a while, and always read a book before bed – which helps keeps the boys in a good bedtime routine despite each day being a different adventure. These are some of our favourites – if we’ve missed any please let us know in the comments!
Where is the Green Sheep by Mem Fox & Judy Horacek
There are red sheep and blue sheep, scared sheep and brave sheep, all sorts of sheep but where is the green sheep? We are introduced to a flock of whimsical woolly ones before its location is revealed.
Complete with sleepy rhymes by Mem Fox and bright illustrations, from popular Australian illustrator Judy Horacek, this book is sure to delight children of all ages, from the very young to those just beginning to read. Find the Green Sheep here…
The Runaway Hug by Nick Bland & Freya Blackwood
When Lucy asks Mommy for a hug before going to bed, Mommy jokes that she only has one hug left so Lucy decides that she must keep Mommy’s last hug safe. As Lucy shares the hug with everyone in her large and loving family, she is always careful to get it back until….! This lovely story celebrates the imaginative powers of children and the extraordinary love to be found in ordinary bedtime routines. Get hugs here.
The Funky Chicken by Chris Collins
We love everything by Chris – and a great thing for us travelling is that his books come with an audio CD not only telling the story but also with a catchy tune too! This tale is about the adventurous Funky Chicken and his mission into outer space – will he find another chicken out there?
Grug is an imaginary bush animal who looks a bit like a haystack. He is an Aussie icon who was created in 1979 (a lot of good things were created that year!) and the series, of which this is the first, has been entertaining children ever since
This classic Aussie hero is back from the bush to enchant a new generation of youngsters!
Edward the Emu by Sheena Knowles and Rod Clement
Edward is tired of his life as an emu and decides to try being something else for a change. He tries swimming with the seals, spends a day lounging with the lions, and even slithers with the snakes.
A whimsical picture book with upbeat, rhyming text and expressive illustrations that will have readers laughing out loud at Edward’s antics. Read more about Edward here.
A delightful celebration of those nudie moments between bath and bedtime capturing all the joy and energy of childhood in this irresistible rhyming tale. With its charming illustrations and lively text, ‘Rudie Nudie’ is destined to become an instant family favourite!
Sometimes I Like to Curl Up in a Ball by Vicki Churchill and Charles Fuge
This endearing little wombat spends a day doing favourite things that are maybe your favourites too – what could they be? Are they your favourites, too? Let’s look and see. Every page is filled with lovely illustrations showing little wombat and the warm and friendly world around him which includes a menagerie of adorable animals. Combined with the lyrically rhyming text, makes for a charming bedtime story to ease young ones to sleep.
This is a wonderfully illustrated children’s tale filled with fun rhymes and make-believe stories, offering an imaginative view of a beach. From sand castles and rock pools to swimming, surfing, and splashing the realistic scenes evoke images of a summer’s day at the seaside where anything can happen. And who doesn’t love the Aussie beach!
Meet Pig who is the greediest Pug in the world. He is bad-tempered, rude and he never, ever shares until one day, Pig’s greed finally backfires and something unexpected happens to him. This is a hilarious picture book about learning to share.
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Should you decide to purchase any of the above, and you don’t have a favourite online or local book retailer, please consider using my link to www.bookdepository.com. Not only will I get commission on any purchases but you will get free Worldwide delivery. My parents in the UK find this a brilliant way to buy books for their Aussie grandsons.
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