Our World Full of Wonder (CSIRO) Jevita Nilson & Jess
Racklyeft PB RRP $24.99 9781486316052
Reviewed by Karen
Hendriks
Jevita Nilson is an
Australian children’s author who creates stories that encourage children to
explore the world around them. Her debut picture book Happy Hearts was published
in 2020. Our World Full of Wonder is her first non-fiction book which will be
followed by a third in 2025 with CSIRO.
Jess Racklyeft is a multi-award-winning illustrator and author of
children’s picture books. Jess previously worked in publishing before becoming
a full-time illustrator.
Our world is full of amazing natural wonders: there are extraordinary
places found right here on Earth that are not only magical, but true. This book
takes you to some of those places
Jevita Nilson has written about wondrous places. She really does
inspire children to want to explore. The opening spread uses sparse text to
create awe. Floating in space, there is a
world full of wonder. Shall we go explore? The book unfolds with
double spreads for each special place. A repeat refrain opens each spread There
is a place where… Rather than revealing the name of the place, the
text describes the place, and the illustrations show them. Rather than giving
answers the text inspires the reader to find answers and wonder where the
place could possibly be in our big wide world.
The language used is light and lyrical, to spark awe and wonder. The
word choices are enriching and satisfying. There is a place
where ocean creatures roam a multi-coloured maze, where giant rays glide
through gleaming waters, and turtles paddle past wavering coral. The
verbs give a sense of place and movement, and Nilson uses things children know
to build imagery. e.g. fairy-floss water ripples. The
ending beautifully links to the beginning. There is a place
filled with wonder: our world, our home. Shall we go explore? The
back matter lists each place featured in chronological order with its name,
location and facts. A handy glossary gives the meaning of scientific words used
in the text.
Jess Racklyeft’s signature illustrative style shines out distinctly
from the front cover. A blue space background with tiny dots for stars and
Earth front and centre with a world map that shows the places featured inside.
The title is in a striking yellow font. The endpapers resemble coloured lights
with brush strokes in pastel colours across a white background. The title page
shows the title inside the sun and birds flying across which draws the eye to
page turn into wonder. Racklyeft’s use of both moody and joyful colour really
does show the wonder of such magical places. Her colour palette is candy for
the eye. Perspective zooms in and out to advantageously show each unique place
in its own light.
Some double pages beam bright glorious colour others show the view of
the place through a child’s eyes. I love the spread with the tall trees as
three children are looking up into the dappled canopy. The way nature shows
herself in different places is captured. In the back matter there is a world
map included with each place numbered and two children floating in space
looking down. Beside the glossary on a white background a map of the world
shows the places featured.
Our World Full of
Wonder is a picture book that is gloriously magical but also about true places
which is unique. This is a book that entices the reader to want to go explore
places in our world. You can’t help but not fall in love with our world. It’s a
special read for children 5-9 years, and will be enjoyed by many age groups.
