The Smallest Bilby and the Easter Tale

The Smallest Bilby and the Easter Tale by Nette Hilton, illustrated by Bruce Whatley (Working Title Press)
HP RRP $24.95
ISBN 978-1-921504-42-6
Reviewed by Vicki Thornton

A great new title in time for Easter, this is the third book in the very popular The Smallest Bilby series. (The Smallest Bilby and the Midnight Star and The Smallest Bilby and the Easter Games.)

Once again Billy Bilby and the little bilbies face adventure. It is the night before Easter and they are out hiding eggs. They place them high and low, here and there, up and down, in and out. But what happens when one of the bilbies falls over the edge? Will there be an Easter?

Nette Hilton has given us another charming story featuring Billy Bilby and the little bilbies. Her love of language is obvious...

‘One by one, two by two, three by three,
down the path, past the billabong trees,
around the bend, and out into the night.’

This story, while not only taking us on an exciting adventure with the bilbies, shows us what working together can accomplish.

Once again Bruce Whatley’s illustrations come to the fore. Using subtle washes of pen and ink on watercolour paper (especially created for this series) the illustrations are delicate and gentle, warm and inviting.

If you loved Billy Bilby in his previous adventures, from the tips of his ears to the tips of his toes, you’ll love this third instalment. This picture book is suitable for ages 5 and up.

Bilby Secrets

Bilby Secrets by Edel Wignell, illustrated by Mark Jackson (Walker Books)

HB RRP $29.95

ISBN 9781921529320

Reviewed by Vicki Stanton

Bilby Secrets is a wonderful book which explores the desert world of the Greater Bilby and aims to highlight the vulnerability of this unique Australian marsupial. Undoubtedly the strength of the book is the fictional story of Mother Bilby and her son and factual snippets running consecutively throughout.

We follow Baby’s growth under the guidance of Mother until he is mature and strikes out by himself into the harsh desert environment of the Pilbarra in Western Australia where Greater Bilbies make their home. Other desert inhabitants are also introduced. These include a fox, an olive python and a golden orb-weaver. Each spread also contains text in a different font which explains the behaviour and habits of bilbies including their food, habitat and reproduction.

Wignell writes in an engaging manner that draws the reader into the bilbies’ journey. Her text is perfectly complemented by Mark Jackson’s colourful illustrations that bring the desert world to life. Rather than being an empty landscape, Jackson shows the desert in all its variety and also from the perspective of the bilbies. (That is one big python!) The colours of the Western Australian outback provide a wonderful palette for him to draw from and he makes full use of it.

The book is further complemented by a brief introduction to the bilby at the beginning and an index at the back of the book. This would make a wonderful addition to libraries and a perfect gift, especially to send overseas.