Australia: Country of Colour (Jess Racklyeft, Affirm)

Bestselling and award-winning author and illustrator Jess Racklyeft celebrates Australian flora, fauna and landscapes through the lens of the colour wheel in Australia: Country of Colour. This beautifully illustrated nonfiction picture book collates some of the most beloved and well-known natural Australian icons, including Uluru, the freshwater crocodile and the ghost gum, alongside lesser-known beauties such as the purple encrusting sponge, peacock spider and Tarra-Bulga National Park. The large format is perfect for curious young minds to learn about the plants, animals and scenery cleverly catalogued according to colour. Most of the vibrant wildlife cannot be found anywhere else in the world, allowing readers to appreciate what lives and grows on our very large island, sometimes in their own backyards. The author’s note includes information about extinction and conservation, helping the reader better understand our environment’s delicate balance and how they can contribute to preserving it. Racklyeft invites children to pursue the natural world independently after reading, motivating them to immerse themselves in nature’s paintbox and write or draw what they see. Australia: Country of Colour is a creative reference book that encourages further creativity from its readers.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Karys McEwen is a librarian, middle-grade author, and the vice president of CBCA VIC Branch. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Category: Reviews