The World from Here (Cassy Polimeni, illus Mel Armstrong, CSIRO Publishing)

Cassy Polimeni, whose junior fiction novel Ella and the Amazing Frog Orchestra won the Wilderness Society’s Environment Award, brings her gift for accessible science to The World from Here. In this charming picture book, Polimeni combines engaging storytelling with scientific principles to explore the natural world. Milo lies on the grass, gazing up at the clouds, while Maya sails above the clouds in a plane, looking at the world below her. Through these two perspectives, readers are introduced to nephology (the study of clouds), the basics of weather and meteorology, the formation of continents, constellations in the sky and the everyday wonders of nature. Mel Armstrong’s brightly coloured illustrations offer clear visual examples of each concept, with breakout text bubbles that work both within the narrative and as quick reference points. Filled with open-ended questions, the text invites discussion, while Polimeni’s reassuring tone and practical advice help children manage fears about extreme weather, flying and the dark. The World from Here aligns with the Australian primary school curriculum and includes a comprehensive glossary and additional weather facts. It is an accessible and engaging introduction to Earth Sciences that will inspire curious readers aged 4 and up to learn more about the environment.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Lian Hingee is the digital marketing manager at Readings. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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