Kookaburra

Kookaburra by Claire Saxby, illustrated by Tannya Harricks (Walker Books) RRP HB $26.99 ISBN 9781760651060

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Kookaburra is a narrative nonfiction book that forms part of the fabulous Nature Storybooks series, designed to entertain and inform young readers.

The narrative follows Kookaburra and her family of five throughout a nesting season – singing, searching for food, looking for a hollow, defending their territory and laying eggs. This engaging tale can be read independently or the story can be entwined with the interesting facts, typeset in italics. The additional information can help children consolidate their understanding of Kookaburras and their features, habits and nesting rituals.

To complement this fascinating tale, Tannya Harricks has created a work of art on each page. Her textured images, created using oil paints and thick brush strokes, are simply stunning. The endpapers are equally beautiful and not to be overlooked.

Kookaburra is a gorgeous children’s book that provides an insight into the nesting season of kookaburras. The final double page spread has more information about kookaburras, an index and details about the author and illustrator. Claire Saxby has written many books in the Nature Storybooks series, however; this is only the second collaboration between this author and illustrator. Their first book together, the award-winning Dingo, is also part of this series. Kookaburra is highly recommended for children aged 4+ years.