Written to the tune of Waltzing Mathilda, this new release book combines a rollicking text with iconic and wonderful illustrations by Glen Singleton, whose work has become a household observance here in Australia.
Respected author Buchanan has obviously had a great deal of fun with this book, penning bite-sized morsels of text that would make anyone smile - like when Santa Koala jumps in his sleigh and is off in a flap like a mad cockatoo.
We meet plenty of wonderful Aussie animals in this gorgeous book - all ready to help a keen koala who thinks he's helping Santa out by gathering up his sleigh while Santa's asleep by the billabong, and delivering all the presents on his loooooong Aussie list.
There's plenty of wonderful Aussie slang, even a serve of lamingtons, and I absolutely love how this book ends.
My only criticism would be the fact that you really need to listen to the audio CD to work out how the wordage fits into the song, at first... it does improve through the book. Page two doesn't fit the tune in the least, and upon listening to the song, it seems several words have not been printed in the book - not sure if this is a printing error or something readers are expected to work out for themselves.
One of my favourite bits is the end of the audio CD where we're treated to an eavesdropping parlance between Santa and the koala. Santa isn't happy the koala interfered with his sleigh, and a remorseful koala agrees to 'have a little chat' about it all - but after a cup of tea... with the koala asking Santa how he takes it. Incidentally, it's white and one. Priceless.
Respected author Buchanan has obviously had a great deal of fun with this book, penning bite-sized morsels of text that would make anyone smile - like when Santa Koala jumps in his sleigh and is off in a flap like a mad cockatoo.
We meet plenty of wonderful Aussie animals in this gorgeous book - all ready to help a keen koala who thinks he's helping Santa out by gathering up his sleigh while Santa's asleep by the billabong, and delivering all the presents on his loooooong Aussie list.
There's plenty of wonderful Aussie slang, even a serve of lamingtons, and I absolutely love how this book ends.
My only criticism would be the fact that you really need to listen to the audio CD to work out how the wordage fits into the song, at first... it does improve through the book. Page two doesn't fit the tune in the least, and upon listening to the song, it seems several words have not been printed in the book - not sure if this is a printing error or something readers are expected to work out for themselves.
One of my favourite bits is the end of the audio CD where we're treated to an eavesdropping parlance between Santa and the koala. Santa isn't happy the koala interfered with his sleigh, and a remorseful koala agrees to 'have a little chat' about it all - but after a cup of tea... with the koala asking Santa how he takes it. Incidentally, it's white and one. Priceless.
Publisher: Scholastic, A$15.99RRP
Publication Date: October 2010
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781741696929
For ages: 3 - 6
Type: Picture Book
