Australian Story: An Illustrated Timeline

Buzz Words is honoured to be involved in Tania McCartney's blog tour. Read on for my book review and see why I loved Australian Story: An Illustrated Timeline so much.


Australian Story: An Illustrated Timeline by Tania McCartney (National Library of Australia)
PB RRP $24.95
ISBN 9780642277459
Reviewed by Vicki Stanton


Tania McCartney has excelled herself in bringing to life our country's journey and she begins at the very beginning: Once there was nothing. Then there was something. 


The first few pages take us through prehistory with the creation of Earth, the movement of the continents, and a mention of the dinosaurs. Then comes the human story with the arrival of Indigenous Australians, European explorers and the First Fleet. Every aspect of Australian history is covered: convicts, agriculture, politics, exploration, gold, sport, culture, education, federation, inventions, war, literature ... the list goes on.

Australian Story is a visual delight and will immediately draw in readers, young and old. Facts pop off the page and a timeline runs across the bottom of each spread. It is the perfect book to share with children and I challenge anyone to be aware of every fact presented. Undoubtedly the highlight of the book is the inclusion of treasures from the National Library's own collection - a painting of the now extinct thylacine, the Eureka flag, Captain Cook's list of Indigenous words, the Cathy Freeman stamp, a photograph of children attending The School of the Air and the photo of the beach-goers in 1902 is hilarious.

An inspiring aspect of the Australian Story is that it is not only about our past. The invitation is extended to all of us to become involved in the creation of our nation's future: Where will we go next? What will we do? It's all up to you ...


Australian Story has distilled the essence of what it means to be Australian, our achievements and, at times, our tragedies; where we have come from and where we are going. This book is an essential addition to every home, school and local library.

You can follow Tania on her blog tour:


Monday 5 March 


Blog Tour Schedule and Book Giveaway
Kids Book Review
kids-bookreview.com


Book Launch Party Wrap-Up
Tania McCartney’s Blog
taniamccartney.blogspot.com 


Book Giveaway
Alphabet Street
alphabetstreet.com.au


Tuesday 6 March


Book Review
Buzz Words
buzzwordsmagazine.blogspot.com 


Australian Story Research Process 
DeeScribe
deescribewriting.wordpress.com


Book Review and 10 Reasons Why History is Exciting 
Soup Blog
soupblog.wordpress.com 


Wednesday 7 March


Australian Story Teaching Notes for Key Stage I 
Sheryl Gwyther’s Blog
sherylgwyther.wordpress.com


Book Review and Teaching Notes Ideas for Key Stage II
The Book Chook
thebookchook.com 


Book Review 
Kids’ Book Capers
content.boomerangbooks.com.au/kids-book-capers-blog 


Image-Sourcing for Australian Story
Blue Dingo
bluedingo.ning.com  


Thursday 8 March


Book Review
Reading Upside Down
readingupsidedown.com 


Book Review
Pass It On
jackiehoskingpio.wordpress.com/school-magazine 


Book Review
Bug in a Book
bugreviews.wordpress.com 


Friday 9 March


Book Giveaway 
HerCanberra
hercanberra.com.au


The Writing Process for Australian Story
Sally Murphy’s Blog
sallymurphy.blogspot.com


Book Review
Books for Little Hands
booksforlittlehands.blogspot.com 


Book Review
ReadPlus
www.readplus.com.au


Saturday 10 March


Book Review 
Kids Book Review
kids-bookreview.com


Book Giveaway
Posie Patchwork Blog
posiepatchworkblog.blogspot.com


Book Review
Suite 101
suite101.com/worldliteratures 


Sunday 11 March


Book Review
My Little Bookcase
mylittlebookcase.com.au 


Book Giveaway
Australian Women Online
australianwomenonline.com 


Blog Tour Wrap-Up 
Tania McCartney’s Blog
taniamccartney.blogspot.com