Tag: australian christmas

Christmas is Coming by Susannah McFarlane ill Lachlan Creagh

‘Christmas is coming soon!’ cries Connor.

It is time for Connor and Chloe from Crystal Creek to get ready!

‘Christmas is coming soon!’ cries Connor.

It is time for Connor and Chloe from Crystal Creek to get ready!

Christmas is Coming is part of the Little Mates series from Scholastic. Each title focuses on one letter while telling a story about Australian animal characters. So far, the alphabet to ‘P’ has been covered, as well as a Mum title and a Father title. Each gift-sized and -priced book features water colour illustrations and simple text. Illustrations (in this Christmas title) include opportunities to find other ‘C’ items and animals as well as some Christmas traditions. Recommended for early readers.

Christmas is Coming! (Little Mates)

Christmas is Coming, Susannah McFarlane ill Lachlan Creagh
Scholastic Australia 2012 ISBN: 9781742831688

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

Available from good bookstores or online

Wombat Divine, by Mem Fox

Wombat loved Christmas. He loved the carols and the candles, the presents and the pudding, but most of all he loved the Nativity Play.

When Wombat goes to the auditions for the Nativity, he tries out for every part – from the Archangel Gabriel to the Three Kings, and even Mary. But someone else is chosen for every part, because Wombat is too big or too heavy, or too short or too sleepy. Finally, just when it looks like Wombat is going to miss out completely, Bilby has an excellent idea. Wombat could be the Baby Jesus. When the night of the play comes, everyone is nervous, except Wombat. He plays his part to perfection – even falling asleep.

Wombat Divine is a touching Christmas story from one of Australia’s best known picture book authors, Mem Fox. The richly coloured illustrations, by well-known artist Kerry Argent, bring the Australian animals to life in a perfect complement to the tale.

To celebrate the tenth anniversary since the book was published, Scholastic have produced a special edition with metallic highlights on the cover.

Divine.

Wombat Divine, by Mem Fox, illustrated by Kerry Argent
Omnibus Books, an imprint of Scholastic Australia
First Published 1995, this edition 2005

Six White Boomers

If you are an Australian parent then there is a good chance that you grew up singing Six White Boomers at Christmas time. This song, and the legendary singer Rolf Harris, have been a art of Christmas in Australia since 1960. This Christmas you can share the magic with your children.

Rolf Harris and Scholastic Australia (under its Margaret Hamilton imprint) have combined to produce the song lyrics in a beautiful picture book with accompanying compact disc.

The book includes the full lyrics to the song, written by Rolf and his friend John D. Brown, with watercolour illustrations by Bruce Whatley bringing the song to life.

The CD includes a recording of the song so that you and your young ones can sing along with Rolf. And, if you want more, there are two bonus Rolf Harris tracks – Christmas in the Sun and Pavlova

An introduction at the beginning of the book explains how Rolf came to write the song. he explains that he was always amazed to hear Australian sing songs about snow and icicles in the middle of Australian, and so set out to write a song more appropriate to our climate and culture. The longevity of this song’s success indicates that he struck a chord with fellow Aussies.

Every Australian child deserves a copy of this book – one of the few Christmas songs written especially for Australian children. Friends and relatives overseas may also enjoy this piece of Australiana.

Six White Boomers by Rolf Harris and Bruce Whatley
A Margaret Hamilton Book from Scholastic Australia, 2001