Books entered into this category should intend to document factual material with consideration given to imaginative presentation, interpretation and variation of style, for kids aged anywhere between 0-18 years.
Can microbes be made fun for kids? Ben-Barak, a microbiologist amongst other things, thinks so. Min is a cartoon-style microbe whose interactive approach to teaching us about microorganisms is designed to get kids excited and wondering…and washing their hands!
An Australian alphabet viewed with an Indigenous perspective in mind. Each letter depicts well-known historical people and events as seen with a European and a first peoples point of view – from first settlement, to William Bligh, from Joseph Banks to the naming of our flora and fauna and from Yemmerrawanne to Terra nullius. Indigenous peoples and culture gets to shine right alongside that of the European settlers to embrace our shared history.
My only concern is a couple of factual glitches that jumped out at me. I’m not sure the Captain Cook was actually eaten by the natives of Hawaii in 1779, but the line in question may have just been a fun, throw away line said for effect rather than authenticity. I’m also not really sure that you could say that the area around The Domain is the Parramatta River either. Yes, technically the Parramatta River flows through Sydney Harbour and out to sea, but it’s not really how we think of this body of water. Perhaps, though, there is an Indigenous perspective here that I’m unaware of?
Clear photography and graphics illustrate the various points and facts being made throughout.
Prue and Kerry Mason are both pilots who like to restore classic aircraft. In this book they share with us their love of flying in this book about ten of our early aviators. They include ‘amazing facts’ and ‘did you know?’ text boxes for each pilot as well as their planes and aviation in general. Jellett uses old photographs, illustrations and humour to bring the text to life.
bronasbooks.com 