The family – two kids, their parents and aunt, set off on a trip around Australia, with a huge birthday cake precariously perched on the roof (as you do). They’re on a quest to find the perfect picnic spot to celebrate Auntie’s sixtieth birthday.
This rhyming picture book is Jackie Hosking's love letter both to Australia, and to the Australian tradition of the mega road trip.
In this story, nobody whines about the great distances, numb bottoms or the weather; it’s a tribute to the amazing places to see and the wonderful things to do.
Along the way, the family stop and take in the sights that make Australia a truly fascinating place to see. From Uluru to Ningaloo, and Sydney Harbour to Port Arthur, the family have an absolute ball. Notes are included on each page so that whoever is reading the book aloud can respond to the inevitable questions that will arise from the text. Many of these notes were also respectful to the First Nations people whose lands are depicted in the scenes, and I commend the author for that inclusion.
Lesley Vamos’s glorious illustrations include lots of hilarious detail that depicts the family’s wonderful misadventures at each of the sites they stopped at. I particularly liked the penguins abducting the aunt in Tasmania.
Hosking is is the author of both non fiction and rhyming picture books, such as The Croc and the Platypus.
My only quibble would be that they maybe need to have another look at where they placed Coober Pedy on the map. Poetic licence, maybe?
Title: An Amazing Australian Road Trip
Author: Jackie Hosking
Illustrator: Lesley Vamos
Publisher: Walker, $24.99
Publication Date: 6 January, 2021
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781760650766
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Book