Star Wars: Where’s the Wookiee?

Star Wars: Where’s the Wookiee? written by Katrina Pallant, illustrated by Ulises Farins (Chirpy Bird/Hardie Grant Egmont)

HB RRP $19.95

ISBN 9781760126490

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

Just in time for the latest Star Wars film release is this find-a-book, where the aim is to spot Chewbacca on each page as he is ‘pursued across the galaxy’ by bounty hunters. From Ewok Village and Jedi Temple, to the Death Star and Jabba’s Palace, readers will find themselves immersed in a complex range of worlds that will appeal to those with a prior knowledge of Star Wars, or have an interest in learning more about it.

The muted blue and brown colour palette and intricate illustrations suggests a more challenging search and find book that mid-to-late primary schoolers can engage with. Guns, explosions and ‘fist-fights’ in the cantina also suggest the book is aimed at older readers who are already au fait with such things.

Cleverly, the book enables longevity by providing a page of nine other characters aside from Chewbacca who can be found on each page. Additionally, there are tick-lists for each ‘world’ at the end of the book with additional objects to be discovered.

Star Wars fans new and old who have well and truly found Wally will enjoy this interactive activity book.

The little book of Australia’s big things

The little book of Australia’s big things written by Samone Bos, illustrated by Alice Oehr (Chirpy Bird/Hardie Grant Egmont)

HB RRP $19.95

ISBN 9781760125547

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

The little book of Australia’s big things offers primary school-aged readers a little bit of everything, from facts and jokes to recipes and craft activities. It casts a spotlight on ten of Australia’s beloved ‘big things’, spanning tourist sites from the better known Big Banana to the more obscure Big Penguin (which is actually found in a Tasmanian town called Penguin, who knew?!).

This is a book readers can easily dip in and out of. It is divided into sections for each ‘big thing’, containing a photo of the real thing, illustrative depictions, and a map of Australia marking its location. There’s a brief rundown of key facts, perhaps a joke or two, and then the interactive fun begins.

Each ‘big thing’ has a page containing a pop-out picture to cut out and assemble. It’s a shame these aren’t perforated, as it means chopping into a beautifully designed book. The jacket of the book contains a panoramic scene of Australia where the pop-out ‘big things’ can be pasted. Other fun activities within the pages include instructions on how to teach a galah to talk, and how to grow your own pineapple from an old pineapple top (hint: much patience is required!).

Readers will delight in the vibrant illustrations and fun-packed pages on this most endearing Australian topic, all things ‘big’. If children have visited one of the sites they will no doubt love to learn more about it, and for those they haven’t seen, requests for road trips may ensue. As the book mentions, there are over 150 ‘big things’ in Australia, so there’s sequel potential for this highly engaging non-fiction title.