35+ Australian Children’s Books and Activity Ideas

This list is far from complete, but here are some other suggestions of great Australian books for kids:

• Olga the Brolga
• Wombat Stew
• Hush Little Possum
• Edward the Emu
• Edwina the Emu
• Hunwick’s Egg
• If I were a koala…
• A Home for Bilby
• Wombat Goes Walkabout
• Koala Lou
• The Muddleheaded Wombat
• The Complete Adventures Blinky Bill
• Love from Australia
• Hello, Melbourne!
• Hello, Sydney!
• Mr Chicken All Over Australia
• Koala Stole My Undies
• Mr Men in Australia
• The Kangaroo of Humpty Doo
• Bin Chicken
• Winner Winner Bin Chicken Dinner
• Koalas eat gum leaves
• Anzac Ted
• Found in Sydney
• Diary of a Baby Wombat
• Koala Ark
• The Family Hour in Australia

Diary of a Wombat

This cute little book isn’t just my favourite kids book about Australia, it might be my favourite kids book of all time! In the story, you follow the weekly schedule of a little wombat that lives in the backyard of a family. What he enjoys most? Well… sleeping and eating carrots, of course.

Link: Diary of a Wombat

There is also another version called Diary of a Baby Wombat.

Bin Chicken Flies Again

I never heard about this book before until I saw it in a bookstore in Sydney and had to laugh so much. In case you don’t know, a ‘bin chicken’ is what Australians call their native Ibis bird. They get about the same love pigeons and rats receive back here in Europe, as they mostly go through your trash and make a mess, and they cannot fly, hence the ‘chicken’ part, haha.

Link: Bin Chicken Flies Again

The original version of this book is called Bin Chicken and there is another version called Winner Winner Bin Chicken Dinner

Where are you Koala?

Besides the cute story, this book caught my eye because it is a plastic-free touch-and-feel book for kids. A fully recyclable book, but it looks so good, why would anyone ever want to throw it away?

Link: Where are you Koala?

Where’s Stripey?

This was one of the first books about Australia I ever bought, because Stripey, the cute little baby emu on the cover was so adorable! In the story, Stripey goes missing and his dad is going to search for him in a frantic adventure, asking all the other animals for help.

Link: Where’s Stripey?

Jinormous Jack

A cute story about Jack, a whale shark, and his adventures in the Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia. The perfect introduction to spark a discussion about ocean life and taking care of our (underwater) planet with kids.

Unfortunately, this book is very rare to find in shops or online, but have a look here: Jinormous Jack.

The Koala Who Could

I was immediately drawn to the illustration style of this little book, but the story was just as interesting! Kevin is an anxious koala who finds change challenging. He spends his days and nights in the Australian Outback clinging to his gum tree, despite the best efforts of the other animals to get him down to play with them. It’s like this book was written about me, haha.

Link: The Koala Who Could

Where’s Mrs Kangaroo?

I love a good lift-the-flap book, and this one is adorable with all the Australian animals. The flaps are made from soft felt and at the end there is a little mirror to spot yourself. Cute Cute Cute.

Link: Where’s Mrs Kangaroo?

Watch Out, Little Wombat!

“Little Wombat” is a series of books by author and illustrator Charles Fuge. In this part, Little Wombat’s going on a Bunyip hunt! And what’s a Bunyip, you ask? Well, it’s a mythical Australian beast that lurks in swamps, bogs, and riverbeds. Wombat is certain the creature exists, even if his friends Rabbit and Koala say there’s no such thing…

Link: Watch Out, Little Wombat!

Why I Love Australia

I found this book in my local thrift shop and thought it was so adorable! This book combines children’s own words about Australia with fun illustrations of cute Australian animals. And from the beautiful scenery in all the states to the plentiful outdoor activities, Indigenous culture, sports and cities, there is certainly a lot to love!

Link: Why I Love Australia

Hello, Australia!

Another thrift shop find I’m so, so happy with! I love the vibrant graphics in this book and of course, the cheeky galahs (Australian birds) that you can count on each page. Take a visual trip around Australia to discover more about the animals, birds and plants that live here. Along the way, you’ll meet some friendly quokkas, take a ferry to Kangaroo Island, marvel at the Big Things and learn about some places that are sacred to the traditional owners of the land.

Link: Hello, Australia!

Also available are Hello, Sydney! and Hello, Melbourne!

Possum Magic

In this modern fairytale, 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. A lovely story with a funny ending, with beautiful illustrations. Love it!

Link: Possum Magic