Australia Books

Garth Pig is a fabulous children's book, and it ought to be reprinted! My parents still remember long passages of the text 20 years later, they read it to me so many times. Garth's kidnapping by the ice cream lady (a wolf) and his dramatic rescue by his nine daring siblings on their 10-seat bicycle will captivate kids of all ages, and the wit and fun along the way is sure to charm adults as well. This is a gentle story, too - bravery and honesty from the protagonist piggies, and the ice cream lady is "never seen again" - nothing too scary for little ones. You'll thank yourself for tracking down this great book!

I had grown up with this book and it takes you into another world. They are fun stories, and Garth has had other stories written about him too. A funny, well worth it read.

Gary and the Very Terrible Monster was a favorite of mine when I was young. I loved reading the story, and making up sound effects. This book is a great story about responsibility and a new friend!

Gary became apart of my children's library many years ago. Then the book became a much loved part of my class library [first grade]. I have used it so-o-o many times I could not count them all. Now my students make their own Terrible Monster books and they lead to wonderful sharing and learning.

The marine fishes of North-Western Australia : a field guide for anglers and divers : a general guide to inshore fishes of tropical Australia.

The marine fishes of North-Western Australia : a field guide for anglers and divers : a general guide to inshore fishes of tropical Australia.

This is a very good book which eefctively encompasses the genres of Horror and Science Fiction. A body is cryogenically frozen and stored in a spaceship which nullifies the effect of the Earth's gravity on the cadaver. However soon things go awry as they usually do and where do you run to on a spaceship if you are being sought by a ghost? This is a very good book from an up and coming Australian writer and I eagerly await his next offerring.

Imagine being haunted by a ghost on a space station, where do you run!

This is Graeme Hague's 4th full length book that he has written yet it was his first book that was published.

From the depths of space to the vast Australian outback this story takes the reader on an often spine, neck and hair tingling roller coaster ride of twists and turns that will leave you not wanting to put the book down for the night, or even to turn off the light. It's not often that I am "scared" by a book but I will admit this one had me checking under the bed before getting out of it and I first read this book when I was about 23! Repeated readings are still wonderfully scary and even though I know what is going to happen I still get the chills.

I love horror books and am a huge fan of Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Richard Laymon and others, and I am so proud to have an Australian author who I truly believe is at home in the company of these others. If you enjoy these other authors I am sure you will LOVE Graeme Hague's work.

"The Girl in the Check Coat" is a second book by Christine Winecki. The first, published in Polish, concerned her own survival, this one combines both her and her future husband Oton stories and by doing so, provides a testimony to life of Jews in German occupied Poland as well as of those deported by Soviets to Siberia, the latter not told in other memoirs of Holocaust, yet important. This is a moving story of a young teenage girl, fresh from a happy childhood home and alone in the face of mortal danger, who struggles to avoid being recognized and caught, and one must admire her intelligence and courage. The story of Oton, a few years older, takes us to the Siberia penal colony forests where he was forced into hard labour, suffering from hunger and bitter cold, while caring for his injured father. The book follows him later fighting on the Eastern front all the way up to the outskirts of Berlin.

The story, however, does not end with their marriage in post-war Warsaw. Anti-Jewish campaign in 1968 forces Christine and Oton with two small daughters to emigrate. The author provides the reader with an intimate look into their struggle with the decision to uproot again, and tells the story of their efforts to establish a new life in Australia. When twenty years later, in view of new political realities in Poland, they decide to re-visit the old country, they engage in preservation of the remnants of Jewish life in Oton's native town, while Christine's emotionally-charged journey into the world of her childhood provides the final closing of that chapter.

The book is very well written, obviously benefiting from the author's journalistic background. Her remarkable memory is helped by the immediacy of the diary kept by Oton, and by the letters from his father. Apart from its biographical contents, this rich in observations book provides the most interesting reading about life in places where the author takes us, with the interwoven historical events anchoring the story. There is a wealth of engaging material in the book, above all, however, this book is a moving testimony to resourcefulness and resilience, and it is the uplifting spirit of survival and eventual success which makes this book a highly recommended reading.

There are many books on the holocaust but none quite like "The Girl in the Check Coat." Christine Winecki, a journalist by trade, provides a beautiful narrative that weaves together her life story with that of her husband Oton. Whereas Christine survived the war in occupied Poland, her husband-to-be was exiled to Siberian and subsequntly stormed the ramparts of Berlin with the Polish army. The story of Christina and Oton offer us a rich perspective on Jewish life during World War II including the constant threat of death in occupied Poland and the counting of every gram of bread and butter among the starving exiles in Siberia. Another unique aspect of Ms. Winecki's novel is that the narrative continues past the war years with a fascinating account of how Christine and Oton navigated their lives through marriage, birth of their two daughters, anti-Jewish backlash in communist Poland, and finally emigration to Australia. In sum this well written, insightful, and moving book spans the best part of the XX century from the the blissful life in pre-war Poland through the hell of the holocaust to the tranquility of life in Australia. A must read indeed!

The Global Studies series is a great way to get a general overview about a region of the world and its quick history. Each country is divided up into a quick overview of demographics, trade, economics, population and other pertinent data similar to a scaled down CIA world fact book. There is then a general overview of each country and how it has played its part in the region with a particular focus on World War II to the present. Finally there are about 24 articles in this one that focus on all sorts of different aspects from the region. They address everything from gambling opportunities in Macau to population control in Japan. Overall this book does an excellent job of capturing the Pacific Rim and the countries that reside there. It is a great start to learning about the region and provides an overview that will give you a focus to direct further investigations. If you are just getting started on this area of the world as I am you will find it an invaluable resource.

Book was new and just as described. Good information regarding Japan's history and economy as well as good information on countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand.

In this country of immigrants, how many of us know the story of our own family's arrival here? What forces drove them? What risks did they take and what hardships did they endure? We may never know the answers to those questions.However, reading the story of Ante and Fedora Sikic's journey brought me a little closer to understanding and appreciating the universal refugee experience. Yasna Sikic Hood, in photos and in her translations of Ante's diary and family letters, has brought her parents' story alive. I highly recommend "Goodbye Dear Old Homeland".

I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars. I couldn't put it down. I cried & cheered page after page. This is a must-have for everyone and every school who is concerned about honoring all-inclusive diversity, learning about other cultures and their struggle in search of freedom. I had the privilege and honor of knowing Ante Sikic. He was a very sweet and gentle man. A quiet hero who endured grave hardship and still had a smile for everyone in his golden years. Dr. Sikic passed away March 6, 2004.

I have just taken delivery of this volume and have been unable to put it down. This book is a wealth of information. Beautifully bound and boxed it is printed on the finest paper I've seen in a book like this. H.M. Bark Endeavour is not for the budget conscious. However, having owned it for just one day it is obvious the time, effort and the passion the Author has poured into researching this volume, right down to reproducing a comprehensive set of drawings of the actual ship. For anyone interested in maritime history, shipbuilding (including modelling) or even geography, I think this book is a must.

I found this in a book shop for AUD$120. One of those moments in life when you have the opportunity to purchace a masterpiece. re-released in 1999, it comes in two large books, one full of large plans in a folder, all deserving of framing. The log of this vessel is included in the second part, from its' inception, construction, crew and history of the journey that mapped the east coast of Australia. If you ever wanted to make a wooden ship model of a truly amazing vessel in a time of adventure equivilant to any Wilbur Smith, this is all you will need. It could never be surpassed, as the author is obviously one of those men who is truely dedicated to his art. The anatomy of the ship series should be so good!

The Amazon write-up lists the grade level for this book at Baby-Preschool. It is about 10-13 year old children stranded when a flood destroys their town. It is an excellent book with a strong moral lesson similar to Lord of the Flies. Definitely not preschool reading material!
I remember reading this story when I was a teenager, and it stuck with me as a thrilling adventure book. Now that I am a grandmotherly school teacher, I am enjoying rereading it. I find myself identifying with the elderly school teacher who is saved by the children.

Then you should read this. As a result of an argument, a whole class stays back from the annual town picnic to help their teacher find aboriginal paintings in a nearby cave. While in the cave, a violent storm breaks out and the group get stuck in the cave. When they come out they find their teacher and classmate have disappeared and their small town of Hills End has been devastated by floods. Their fight for survival in a devastated town where no adult is around, their experiences and the things they learn about each other makes a book that you will not forget in a hurry. This is one of the best books I have ever read. You won't regret it!

This book will encourage children to get going in the garden. The pictures add a zesty quality. Children will enjoy the happy and informative style.

This a book about gardening for kids, and how to grow things you can eat. Practical advice from a famous Australian TV personality. This is probably more use to people in the Australian climate. JR's illustrations are charming.