Review: The Hottest Dingo

It’s a hot summer day and Danny the dingo just wants to cool down. He looks to the other bush animals for inspiration. He tries running like the emu, hopping like the kangaroo and even creates his own frill to mimic the frilled-neck lizard, but nothing works. Danny’s dancing and leaping and prancing and waving hasn’t had any effect except to make him feel hotter.

The other animals aren’t sure what to make of Danny’s strange behaviour until storm clouds roll in. As drops of rain start the fall, the animals are convinced they have Danny’s strange rain dance to thank for the cooling rain.

A fun introduction to some of Australia’s native animals, The Hottest Dingo will have young readers laughing as poor Danny attempts to cool down. Lachlan Creagh’s illustrations of Danny’s attempts to fly are particularly entertaining.

The rhyme and rhythm of author Coral Vass’ text makes The Hottest Dingo a great story to read aloud, offering lots of opportunities for drama and a wonderful pace to build anticipation for the final scenes.

A lovely story featuring familiar Australian animals, The Hottest Dingo is a great addition to any home, preschool or kindergarten classroom bookshelf.

Title: The Hottest Dingo
Author: Coral Vass
Illustrator: Lachlan Creagh
Publisher: Koala Books, $14.99 RRP
Publication Date: July 2013
Format: Soft cover
ISBN: 9781742760087
For ages: 3 - 7
Type: Picture Book