Penguin Australia
October 2024
- ISBN: 9781761620416
- Imprint: Puffin
- RRP: $19.99
Hands up if you’ve also forgotten how many times in the past 20 years you’ve shared this one? I know it was a focal point of my literature-based unit with Year 3s often and on many occasions, aside from all the times I’ve just read it to Smalls. And it never loses its charm.
You truly need to see this anniversary edition in its glorious coppery foiled binding because it sparkles with every bit of shiny-ness the story within offers. Alison Lester’s preface note tells us that if it’s 20 years of the book, it’s 30 years since her family made this trip.
It may have taken ten years to write the account of it but boy! hasn’t it been worth it? I don’t think I’ve ever read this to Smalls without them absolutely loving Gracie’s recount of the mighty trip around our beautiful country – with the detour into the centre – and they always love interjecting with an “I’ve been there!” or “My Nan and Pop live there!”. And it’s such a fabulous way to bring to life those iconic places, land formations, people and sights that we want our Smalls to know.
I’m sorry I don’t have a copy of the last unit outline I did because, even if I say so myself, I did a pretty good job of it including a great map with blank ‘postcards’ for the kiddos to draw their own interpretations of places mentioned, but of course, for this well-loved book there are many resources, both freely available and on paid platforms. I include some below. Meanwhile, be sure to get this pretty new edition to add to your collection and share the joy all over again. A rating as big as our country for this one 🛣️🛣️🛣️🛣️🛣️.
Primary Geography Teachers of NSW
And for some complementary texts look at the Aussie Kids series and don’t forget Tania McCartney’s gorgeous map of Australia, which I used in a culminating activity for my little peeps.
Just So Stories 
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