D is for Down Under: An Australia Alphabet

by Devin Scillian, Geoff Cook (Illustrator)

What country holds the title as the world's smallest continent and yet the world's largest island? I stands for island, but one that's not too small. Our island is enormous. Just try to see it all! There's no place else quite like it; that is clearly true. Australia is a continent, but it's an island, too. Originally founded as a penal colony, Australia has long been known for its contrasts (think: wild outback and sophisticated Sydney Opera House). Accompanied by vibrant colorful artwork, D is for Down Under: An Australia Alphabet captures the spirit of this proud country and its many treasures, natural and man-made. Visit spectacular Sydney Harbor, try your hand as a jackaroo working a sheep station, or just sit back and enjoy a Vegemite sandwich. Below the starry night glitter of the Southern Cross constellation, Australia's "down under" wonders shine brightly. Devin Scillian is an award-winning author and Emmy-award-winning broadcast journalist. His books with Sleeping Bear Press include the national bestseller A is for America: An American Alphabet. Devin lives in Michigan and anchors the news for WDIV-TV in Detroit. Geoff Cook has been illustrating for 35 years. His career began as a graphic designer, after graduating from Prahran College in Melbourne. Soon realizing he wanted to be an illustrator, he became a partner in the illustration studio All Australian Graffiti. He lives in Australia.

Genres: Childrens, Geography, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Australia

40 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2010

Reviews

[Gary Anderson]

With a family member planning a trip to Australia and me knowing almost nothing about the place, I was glad to stumble upon D is for Down Under. Thanks to this alphabet book, I learned a lot in a short time. The text includes rhyme-based information for each letter on some aspect of Australian geography, wildlife, history, or culture accompanied by a more substantial block of two or three paragraphs with more details. Whimsical illustrations effectively complement the engaging text.

[E · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty good. As with any ABC book, some of the letters were a stretch, but this had fewer weak links than most others.
Illustrations were busy and energetic, though I wasn't especially captivated by the cartoonish aesthetic.
The informational text was mostly solid, with a couple of statements that I would take issue with. (It was good to acknowledge the devastating effect of European arrival on native peoples, but the sunny pronouncements that Australians appreciate and respect Aboriginal people and culture is Pollyanna-ish, at best.)
The little poems for each letter, though, were far less successful. They didn't scan well, were overly generic, and sometimes contained outright falsehoods. (A bit sensationalist to claim crocodiles have bad attitudes and tempers, wouldn't you say?)
Lastly, one wonders about the intended audience. The informational text is much too hard for the typical ABC book demographic, and those for whom the information is appropriate may recoil at such a babyish structural device. And it certainly doesn't lend itself to research.

Overall, a fun novelty, but that's about as far as it goes.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is aimed towards older elementary students, who can read longer books. There is a lot of text in this book and it reads almost like a chapter book, with each letter being a chapter about a different aspect of Australia. For people who want to learn more about Australia, or who might be planning a visit, it is an interesting introduction to the country.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

This ABC book covers not only the alphabet, but a look at Australia from a historical and cultural aspect. Using rhyming and poetry each letter is used to tell something about the country. The detailed and expository text makes for a great research source for further insight.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

An elementary and up book about the country of Australia where each letter has a Australian fact attached to it.

[Melissa Stretton · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting book.

[Vinisha Olivia Pinto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Random Kyoot reads

[Bern · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our theme country this week in homeschool is Australia. How nice it is to have good picture books instead of boring textbooks

[Keri-Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent little book on Australia for children and adults. I finally learned how Qantas got its name and other little tidbits. The choice of illustrators was inspired. The Australian illustrator drew his pictures as borderline caricatures, very much in keeping with the slightly larger than life view Australians tend to have. Fair dinkum for sure.