The Monster Who Ate Australia (30th Anniversary Ed) by Michael Salmon

The Boggabri is an extremely rare Australian mammal. Like its cousin the bunyip, it eats a lot and is very shy. But, unlike the bunyip, it has peculiar teeth that grow longer each day.

To keep them trimmed, the Boggabri chews rocks and other hard objects. It lives in large caves in central Australia, grows to about ten metres and is green with a spotted stomach.

The last person to see one was Ms Alice Humbold in the Nullabor Desert in 1962.

The Boggabri is an extremely rare Australian mammal. Like its cousin the bunyip, it eats a lot and is very shy. But, unlike the bunyip, it has peculiar teeth that grow longer each day.

To keep them trimmed, the Boggabri chews rocks and other hard objects. It lives in large caves in central Australia, grows to about ten metres and is green with a spotted stomach.

The last person to see one was Ms Alice Humbold in the Nullabor Desert in 1962.

The title page of The Monster Who Ate Australia features a map of Australia and the route taken by Burra the Boggabri on his journey around the country. The first opening offers images of the cities and areas he visits, plus and introduction to the ‘Boggabri-Australis’. Burra’s story begins at Uluru where his long-time home is invaded by tourists of the noisy kind. Burra can’t endure the noise and sets off to find a new home, wandering through the desert, the ocean and city after city. But although there are interesting things to see, and to eat, nowhere feels like home. Eventually he travels full circle and back to his Uluru cave home. Images depict Aussie landmarks including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, events including the America’s Cup, apple-growing in Tasmania, pineapples in Queensland and more.

Michael Salmon has been creating books for young people for many years. It is 30 years since The Monster Who Ate Australia was first published. Although this new generation of readers may not get all the cultural references (eg America’s Cup. Blue Poles), there is plenty of humour to keep them turning the pages. Each image is full of extra information to keep young readers chuckling and returning for another read. There are also subtle references to the impact of tourists on the environment and our fauna. Take a fun journey around Australia with Burra. Recommended for pre- to early-schoolers and beyond.

 

The Monster Who Ate Australia (30 Anniversary Ed), Michael Salmon Ford Street Publishing 2014 ISBN: 9781925000542

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

The Down-Under 12 Days of Christmas by Michael Salmon

On the third day of Christmas my true love sent to me,
three wet galahs,
two snakes on skis,
and a kookaburra in a gum tree.

On the third day of Christmas my true love sent to me,

three wet galahs,

two snakes on skis,

and a kookaburra in a gum tree.

Christmas has arrived Down-under, and everything has an Aussie flavour. Instead of gold rings and lords, there are five kangaroos and it’s lizards who are doing the leaping. And mighty hot work it is too. Can you trust the crocodiles who look like they are sleeping? Each opening has a new day of Christmas and then vignettes of the previous days. Final pages postcard Santa’s movements across the festive season, and include a black line master colouring sheet. Along the bottom of each opening, characters prepare for Christmas Day. Illustrations are alight with Michael Salmon’s distinctive humour and absurdity.

Christmas in Australia is a different experience to Christmas in the northern hemisphere, but we are steeped in the traditions, music and icons of a cold celebration. Salmon’s The Down-under 12 Days of Christmas takes a known song and makes it uniquely Australian. The images are full of Australian animals pursuing Australian summer activities (except of course those skiing snakes … ). There is plenty of fun and humour to engage young children. Recommended for junior primary readers.

The Down-under 12 Days of Christmas, Michael Salmon Ford St Publishing 2012 ISBN: 9781921665592

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

Bobo, My Superdog, by Michael Salmon

‘Dog of the Day’ said the notice in the front window of the pet shop.
Underneath sat a little white dog surrounded by other pets. From the moment I saw Bobo I knew that he was special. I had to have him!

Most of the time, Bobo is a fluffy, slightly spoilt dog who lives with the narrator and his parents. But Bobo and his owner have a big secret – because Bobo is just pretending to be a normal dog. Really he is a dog with super powers – Super-Bo. Wearing a mask and a cape made from an old stripy beach towel, Super-Bo saves people, animals – even the whole city.

Bobo, My Superdog is a brand new picture storybook from renowned Aussie author/illustrator Michael Salmo. The story is fun, but it is the familiar illustrative style of Salmon that makes the book so very appealing. The pictures are bright, detailed and humorous, offering textual support and lots of interest.

Aimed at children aged 5 to 9, and suitable for reading aloud, or for readers making the transition toward chapter books.

Bobo, My Superdog

Bobo, My Superdog, by Michael Salmon
Ford Street, 2011
ISBN 9781921665394

This book is available in good bookstores, or online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.