'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
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Wednesday, 6 November 2024

Review: Santa Bilby

Easter meets Christmas in Santa Bilby, written by Miranda Birthisel and illustrated by Cate James.

A bilby, one of Australia’s endangered animals, comes to the rescue when Santa gets tangled in tinsel and hurts himself. 

Santa sends for his friend the Easter Bilby, who is excited about being able to help get Christmas presents delivered to Australian children in time for Christmas morning.

Bilby is confident in being able to succeed. She’s also curious about some of the buttons in Santa’s sleigh and gets a bit sidetracked. Watch out for sleighs doing a giant loop in the sky!

When the reindeer get Bilby back to business she encounters some trouble. 

Bilby gets stuck in the Christmas lights and is seen by a sleepy child. Household pets panic when they see Bilby, and she pops up in place she really didn’t want to appear. She’s cutting it very fine with her deliveries.

At the end of the day, or perhaps that should be the beginning, Bilby puts her own special touch on Christmas, and saves the day, just like Rudolph does in that traditional story. Bilby's solution might start a new tradition.

Santa Bilby is a lovely Australian story celebrating Christmas, just right to get young kids in the festive spirit.

Title: Santa Bilby
Author: Miranda Birthisel
Illustrator: Cate James
Publisher: Scholastic Australia, $19.99
Publication Date: October 2024
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760264963
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book