Our favourites down under: 11 Australian stories for every child’s library

With the year that was, there’s been no better time to explore the glorious land of Australia. Through words, Travel to distinctively Australian lanscapes such as bushland, the sea and deserts that make up Australian land.

The choice is huge, so we’ve had to narrow the field: these twelve are books that celebrate Australia and Australians. Books that you could send to a child living on a desert island, or the other side of the world, or even in an Australian city, to show them something about us in a period where travel isn’t accessible to everyone.

My Place by Nadia Wheatley and Donne Rawlins

This classic Australian picture book that transports readers back to the past. It depicts the history of one particular piece of land in Sydney from 1788 to 1988 through the stories of the various children who have lived there. Nadia Wheatley teaches readers about the history of Australia, about families, settlers, multiculturalism, and the traditional owners of the land. Donna Rawlins’ illustrations demonstrate how each child’s story covers a decade in time, showing their particular dress, customs, and family life. 8+ years

Magic Beach by Alison Lester 

Imagine a beach where you can explore rock-pools, fish from the jetty, swim, hunt for treasure, and build a bonfire under the stars. From author-illustrator Alison Lester, who grew up on a farm by the sea, comes Magic Beach, a long-standing favourite with little Australian readers who revel in this magical nautical adventure. This is a gorgeous example that celebrates imaginative play and Alison Lester’s illustrations are stunning! 3+ years

In the Bush by Roland Harvey

From sunrises to snowy on Mt Misery, there’s so much to explore at Wombat’s Flat. In the Bush is an irresistible companion to the best-selling At the Beach. This hilarious take on a camping holiday is guaranteed to occupy children for hours as they search the illustrations for people, creatures, and activities identified through Roland Harvey’s very funny text. 5+ years

When Grace turned eight, her Mum and Dad took Grace and her brothers, Luke and Billy, on a trip around Australia – they even missed school for the entire winter term. Join Grace and her family on their adventurous and sometimes funny expedition. This warm and heartfelt story is based on an actual journey undertaken by the much-loved author and illustrator, Alison Lester. 3+ years

Possum Magic by Mem Fox and Julie Vivas 

Deep in the Australian bush lived two possums named Hush and Grandma Poss. Grandma Poss uses her best bush magic to make Hush invisible. But when Hush longs to be able to see herself again, the two possums must make their way across Australia to find the magic food that will make Hush visible once more. Through Mem Fox’s captivating storytelling and Julie Vivas’ vivid illustrations, Possum Magic is one of the best-loved and most charming imaginative tales of all time. 4+ years

Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French and Bruch Whatley 

She sleeps. She eats. She scratches. She is training humans to become better pets. She is Mothball, a wombat with attitude. Award-winning author Jackie French’s love of wombats comes alive in this cheeky observation of Mothball’s life, which Bruce Whatley’s endearing illustrations of Mothball’s antics show just how entertaining wombats are to humans. 3+ years

Warnayarra: The Rainbow Snake by Pamela Lofts 

This Indigenous tale is based on a story told by the Senior Boys Class at Lajamanu School, a bilingual school where Aboriginal children are taught to read and write their own language. The illustrations are adapted from original paintings done by the children for their story. 4+ years

A Fortunate Life by A.B. Facey 

Born in 1894, and first sent to work at the age of eight, Facey lived the rough frontier life of a labourer and farmer and jackaroo, becoming lost and then rescued by Indigenous trackers, then gaining a hard-won literacy, and enduring unimaginable hardships. Facey always saw his life as a fortunate one. A true classic of Australian literature, Facey’s simply penned story offers a unique window into the history of Australian life through the greater part of the twentieth century – the extraordinary journey of an ordinary man. 7+ years

The Little Refugee by Anh Do, Suzanne Do, and Bruce Whatley 

The Little Refugee tells the uplifting and inspiring childhood story of one of Australia’s favourite personalities. Anh Do nearly didn’t make it to Australia. His entire family came close to losing their lives as they escaped from a war-torn Vietnam in an overcrowded boat. After a dangerous journey, life in suburban Australia was also hard for a small boy with no English and funny lunches. This inspiring story of Anh who found triumph and saw the bright side of life no matter what difficulty arose. 4+ years

Playing Beatie Bow by Ruth Park 

From award-winning author and journalist Ruth Park, who has written over fifty books, comes this inspiring and heartfelt tale. Disturbed that her mother could welcome back her unfaithful father, Abigail Kirk undergoes a mysterious voyage to nineteenth-century Australia, where her experiences help her to understand the power of love and to accept her father. 8+ years

My Grandma Lived in Gooliguch by Graeme Base