Entries in this category should be books which have the prime intention of documenting factual material with consideration given to imaginative presentation, interpretation and variation of style. Ages 0-18 years.

Sami Bayly The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Dangerous Animals. Hachette Australia 9780734420015

• Theme: more than 60 of the most deadly and dangerous animals from across the world - animals
• Teachers resources
• Try to describe other animals (real or imaginary) using the same headings from the book: Description, Danger, Factor, Conservation Status, Diet, Location/Habitat and Fun Facts.

Maree Coote Azaria: A True History. Melbournestyle Books 9780648568407

• Teachers notes https://classroom.walkerbooks.com.au/home/azaria-a-true-history-by-maree-coote/
• Where wild animals and people meet, tragedy can strike, because just like the big bad wolf, the dingo is not afraid of you and me.
• A beautifully illustrated non-fiction picture book that sensitively explores the collision of wilderness and civilisation, explains a famous miscarriage of justice, and examines the role of the media in history-telling, in an appropriate manner for children.
• Publisher's website https://www.melbournestyle.com.au/AZARIA.html
• It is an interesting blend of graphic novel, history and picture book.
• A great resource for kids book clubs. The content is not suitable for a Storytime with young children but better for primary aged children.
• This book was written in consultation with Lindy Chamberlain.

Pamela Freeman (illus. by Liz Anelli) Dry to Dry: The Seasons of Kakadu. Walker Books Australia 9781760650285

• Kakadu National Park - six seasons
• The CBCA judges say https://www.cbca.org.au/book/dry-to-dry-the-seasons-of-kakadu
• Publisher's website https://www.walkerbooks.com.au/Books/Dry-to-Dry-9781760650285
• Reading Time review http://readingtime.com.au/dry-to-dry-the-seasons-of-kakadu/
• Liz Anelli's website https://lizanelli-illustration.com/project/dry-to-dry/

David Hartley & Kirsty Murray (illus. by Dub Leffler) Strangers on Country. National Library of Australia 9780642279552

• Published by National Library of Australia this book is a beautiful read and would work well for junior book clubs for 8+.
• “Based on historical records each story in this book is told through two historical fiction narratives. The first is from the point of view of an Indigenous person who befriends the stranger in their land. The second is from the point of view of the castaway or convict who is given refuge.” (Booktopia review). At the end of each chapter, there is a section of facts and information.
• This book was inspired by and based on Living with the Locals: Early Europeans' Experience of Indigenous Life by John Maynard and Victoria K. Haskins.
• Dave Hartley's website https://www.david-hartley.com/
• Kristy Murray's website https://kirstymurray.com/books/strangers-on-country/
• Dub Leffler's website https://www.westwords.com.au/authors/dub-leffler/
• Sharon McIllwee's presentation slides from the Book Week Forum - see the interview with Dub Leffler.
• Teaching resources https://www.ncacl.org.au/atsi_resource/strangers-on-country/
• Living with the locals: Six extraordinary first contact stories of friendship and survival (includes animations from an ABC series) https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-06/living-with-the-locals-stories-of-first-contact-survival/9613098
• Irma Gold interviews Dub Leffler http://www.irmagold.com/picture-book-illustration-dub-leffler/?fbclid=IwAR0bcG_-kMwiLK2bENTkjJ8BOv69_WIT_z-FPRooQ4kESqw8KQPAT4wRQ4E
•  Glen Park Primary School Teaching Notes ‘Strangers on Country’ https://glenparkps.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/STRANGERS-on-COUNTRY.pdf
• Reading Time review ‘Strangers on Country’http://readingtime.com.au/strangers-on-country/

Gina M Newton (illus. by Rachel Tribout) Hold On! Saving the Spotted Handfish. CSIRO Publishing 9781486311842

• Spotted Handfish - Australian Museum (videos)
• A high resolution photograph of a spotted handfish
• CBCA judges comments https://cbca.org.au/book/hold-on-saving-the-spotted-handfish

Carole Wilkinson (illus. by Prue Pittock) Matthew Flinders – Adventures on Leaky Ships. Wild Dog Books 9781742034935

• Themes: going to sea - exploration - Australian history - Matthew Flinders
• This book makes history interesting and fun and it has a glossary, timelines, maps and beautiful details.
• The book features Matthew Flinders Cat called Trim!!
• It brings to life the adventures at sea, life on a boat and coming to NSW and the time period of late 1700’s.
• “Matthew Flinders was a country boy who wanted to be a sailor. He lived at a time when ocean voyages took months, sometimes years. His life at sea was full of adventure and danger. He was the first to sail all the way around Australia. He drew the first complete map of the continent. Sailing was a dangerous business in Matthew's time that could end in shipwreck, disease or death. He wanted to make it safer for sailors by making his map as accurate as possible.”
• Matthew Flinder's bicorn hat in the State Library of NSW collection
• Matthew Flinders, ca. 1800 portrait watercolour miniature in the State Library of NSW collection
• There's a statue of Matthew Flinders outside the State Library of NSW and also a statue of his cat named Trim.
• Tie in discussion of Bungaree who travelled with Matthew Flinders with the concept of different perspectives of the same story in Strangers on Country
• CBCA video of the illustrator Prue Pittock talking about being shortlisted https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sw9tufpSoqA
• Teachers notes http://wdog.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Matthew-Flinders_TN_2020.pdf
• Carole Wilkinson's website https://carolewilkinson.com.au/research/matthew-flinders-adventures-on-leaky-ships-bibliography/ and her comments on historical fiction genre and researching.

Back to 2021 Book Week Forum