The Bush Book Club (Margaret Wild, illus by Ben Wood, Scholastic)

Some children can be reluctant readers, and this picture book is a great resource for parents and teachers to encourage page-turning habits. As the name suggests, every animal in the book’s bush setting belongs to the local book club. Every animal, that is, except Bilby. Much like an easily distracted child, Bilby is far too restless to sit still and read anything. Not understanding the attraction of the printed word, he feels left out of this private yet communal activity of reading for pleasure—till one day he is accidentally locked in the book-strewn clubhouse and, out of boredom, picks one up and becomes enthralled by the adventures inside. Veteran children’s writer Margaret Wild uses rhyme to great effect, with lines such as ‘Echidna loved reading snug in bed, with platters of ants and buttered bread,’ and ‘Kangaroo loved reading as she hopped along, trying not to fall in the billabong.’ Ben Wood’s illustrations are bold and bright, with lovingly drawn pictures of Australian animals. Although probably best for preschoolers, the book could be useful for early readers, who can feel extra proud if they’ve managed to read it all by themselves. 

Thuy On is a Melbourne-based reviewer and the books editor of the Big Issue

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

Category: Reviews