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Bushland Lullaby
Asleep in a gently snoozing ball, Little possum's soft and small. In a twisty tunnel and cosy bed, Little wombat rests his head. All the baby animals sleep soundly in the comfort of the bush.
- GenresChildrensPicture Books
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2012
About the author
Sally Odgers
335 books45 followersSally Odgers was born in Tasmania in the 1950s, went to school there in the 1960s, married there in the 1970s, and had her children there in the 1980s. Her first book was published in 1977.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 7, 2013
I dearly love this book, which is dedicated to my grandchildren. It's a rhyming picture book with, I hope, unexpected rhymes and no twee language. Lisa Stewart did a sterling jov with the artwork which is in glorious soft pastel colours.
In September 2013 news... Bushland Lullaby will be released in a new board book format.
In September 2013 news... Bushland Lullaby will be released in a new board book format.
January 30, 2013
Publishers often say they don’t want rhyming picture books but when they are done well as this one is, they are a delight to read. Sally Odgers has been writing books for a long time and she knows exactly what she is doing and it shows.
The language of Bushland Lullaby is rich and lyrical. Children will be introduced to some words with which they may not be familiar and that’s a good thing. Some of the verse is so picturesque. I loved the description of the creek where eddies dance with winking sun and the hushing waters by the river’s smile, where little crocodile sleeps, not to be woken and down in the bush where gum trees thrive, Where the lazy breeze brings scents alive, you’ll find baby koala. Equally as effective a description is that of the baby wombat, Burrowed into an earthy mound, In the summer day when the sun bakes down. The text takes the reader through the day in the wild red desert where the sun’s alight or the sky flings stars in a winter’s night to the ancient calm where little dingo is safe from harm and into the night of sparkling skies.
The rhyme and rhythm works perfectly. It has a gentle lilting feel while each double spread introduces Australian animals and birds. Some like the koala and wombat are well known while others not so much and that’s good.
The illustrations in their muted colours blend perfectly with the text. I liked all the illustrations but particularly the baby platypus lying on its back, the crocodiles, the penguin page, the koalas curled in the fork of the tree, and the fruit bats .The second last page is simply a gem as is the last page, yet they are both very different.
This is a delightful picture book which will no doubt please children and their adult readers. It deserves a place in many homes and libraries.
The language of Bushland Lullaby is rich and lyrical. Children will be introduced to some words with which they may not be familiar and that’s a good thing. Some of the verse is so picturesque. I loved the description of the creek where eddies dance with winking sun and the hushing waters by the river’s smile, where little crocodile sleeps, not to be woken and down in the bush where gum trees thrive, Where the lazy breeze brings scents alive, you’ll find baby koala. Equally as effective a description is that of the baby wombat, Burrowed into an earthy mound, In the summer day when the sun bakes down. The text takes the reader through the day in the wild red desert where the sun’s alight or the sky flings stars in a winter’s night to the ancient calm where little dingo is safe from harm and into the night of sparkling skies.
The rhyme and rhythm works perfectly. It has a gentle lilting feel while each double spread introduces Australian animals and birds. Some like the koala and wombat are well known while others not so much and that’s good.
The illustrations in their muted colours blend perfectly with the text. I liked all the illustrations but particularly the baby platypus lying on its back, the crocodiles, the penguin page, the koalas curled in the fork of the tree, and the fruit bats .The second last page is simply a gem as is the last page, yet they are both very different.
This is a delightful picture book which will no doubt please children and their adult readers. It deserves a place in many homes and libraries.
September 21, 2012
A fascinating and gentle introduction for babies and young children to the animals of Australia. Beautiful imagery, lilting rhyme and soft illustrations create a lasting picture in the reader's mind of the cosiness of baby animals sleeping. My one year old baby certainly enjoyed it!
March 27, 2022
I admit a friend and mentor of mine wrote 'Bushland Lullaby', but that does not influence my review. On a splurge of re-visiting old favourite picture books, I read Bushland Lullaby (see it's sequels, Rainforest Lullaby, Ocean Lullaby and Outback Lullaby), one afternoon and was blown away by it, just as I was when I first read it long ago in manuscript form.
Sally's text is vivid and rich beyond belief. Her precise, succinct words, draw us in, to experience each animal in each part of the bush, leading us to both wish to turn the page to see what poetic genius she presents next, but at the same time forcing us to linger to re-read each paragraph of text over and over, very carefully. I re-read each page so carefully, for fear of not fully soaking up the beauty of her words.
Lisa Stewart's illustrations enhance the text with a gorgeous, rare quality of artwork, that showcases the true beauty of Australia's animals and landscape.
A beautiful gift for any child, librarian, writer, or someone who truly values a precious story such as this one.
Sally's text is vivid and rich beyond belief. Her precise, succinct words, draw us in, to experience each animal in each part of the bush, leading us to both wish to turn the page to see what poetic genius she presents next, but at the same time forcing us to linger to re-read each paragraph of text over and over, very carefully. I re-read each page so carefully, for fear of not fully soaking up the beauty of her words.
Lisa Stewart's illustrations enhance the text with a gorgeous, rare quality of artwork, that showcases the true beauty of Australia's animals and landscape.
A beautiful gift for any child, librarian, writer, or someone who truly values a precious story such as this one.
April 29, 2020
A wonderfully rhythmic and soothing bedtime board book. It's reminiscent of Time for Bed, but not quite as good.
June 26, 2026
This was the peeeerfect length to fall asleep to. I laid in mummy’s lap and she read it in her calmest voice, now I’m asleep and Mummy is awarding the book 5 Stars in my honor - because it was good, but also because me sleeping is REAAAAAALLY good
February 15, 2019
A lovely book, excellent writing and beautiful illustrations.
October 2, 2019
Nice rhymes about a range of Australian animals. The images and flow of the story are quite calming - sure to put the little one in the mood for sleep!
October 4, 2019
I liked this but my baby boy/toddler wasn’t crazy about it. The subtle watercolors are beautiful but not as attractive to kids.
May 18, 2016
This picture book is full of cuddly, sleepy Australian animals.
The illustrations by Lisa Stewart are heartwarming.
Sally has produced four lines of descriptive genius for each baby animal.
The font and floral flourishes add to the embellishment of the story.
Another book to get my grand daughters smiling at bed time.
And now they are learning to read themselves, I hope this sparks in them a joy of reading.
The illustrations by Lisa Stewart are heartwarming.
Sally has produced four lines of descriptive genius for each baby animal.
The font and floral flourishes add to the embellishment of the story.
Another book to get my grand daughters smiling at bed time.
And now they are learning to read themselves, I hope this sparks in them a joy of reading.
May 9, 2016
What a stunning book! Victoria was so engrossed in me reading it to her, so the rhythm of it must have been pleasing to her. It was beautiful to read and the illustrations were just gorgeous. I love that it is filled with Aussie animals going to sleep. Perfect for bed time. I whispered the last line of every page to V and she smiled in delight.
V @ 5 months
V @ 5 months
November 17, 2015
Just exquisite in every way: from the lullaby lyrics to the delicate pastel illustrations. Even the font is perfect! (I can't quite believe I'm commenting on a font choice - but it really did enhance the text.)
Simply gorgeous!
Simply gorgeous!
October 27, 2013
This a lovely rhyming picture book, perfect for settling your little ones to sleep. The rhymes are not cliche, and the choice of native animals is great (not just cute and cuddly mammals). Three and a half stars.
March 3, 2014
This is a rhyming tale, which depicts Australian baby animals going to sleep in their native environment.
The soft pastel illustrations and the gentle rhythm of the verse create an ideal story to read at bedtime.
The soft pastel illustrations and the gentle rhythm of the verse create an ideal story to read at bedtime.
September 7, 2015
At last! Australian content that isn't tacky, cartoonish stereotypes of blokes and sheilas. Beautifully illustrated with a gentle rhythm that makes this a sweet little "lullaby" for bedtime.
August 7, 2021
The smallest member of the household selected this book, enamoured with the promise of sleepy baby animals. This rhyming goodnight book is sure to be requested again.
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August 12, 2016Beautiful book!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews