Oceania Books

I purchased this book as a place to start our study of Australia during our series on the continents. (I am a homeschooling mom). I found this to be an excellent resource. It gave us information on many of the basic topics we would need, without being exhaustive and too drawn out. I would consider it quite comprehensive, for a short book. It also had many real photographs. Exactly what we needed. Some of the other series I attempted to purchase when I was was buying books on the continents were much lighter on content and very disappointing, but I was happy with this one. I am using this for my advanced first grader, so I would consider it to be appropriate for first through fourth grades, maybe 5th. I would purchase from this series again for sure.

I like this book very much, I am reading it for the second time. It has a well constructed, thematic approach that takes you from pre-European Aboriginal society to late 20th century attempts to be an 'all encompassing' society. It explains how the physical environment shaped the Australian character together with the cultural and historical pull towards Britain and Europe competing with the pull towards America and Asia as it still tries to define itself in the world. One is left feeling that Australia is a rather unique combination of hedonism, tolerance, stability, blandness and infinite possibility.

Great book for kids through 5th grade. It's a perennial favorite in our school library. Nice photos and simple text give a fine introduction to Australia. There are other titles in the series - all are equally good.

This is a wonderful book to help children learn about Australia. It's beautifully illustrated too!

I highly recommend this book for teaching children about Australia and New Zealand. It is just right, provides good information and isn't long winded. It's actually fun to read. Remember those deadly dull country books we had to read or browse in when we were kids? Hopefully those books are passe!

Leadbeater continues to astonish as he speaks on theosophic issues to the lands down under. A true collector's item!

An excellent companion to travels in Australia, either in life or from the armchair. Section 1 is entitled Politics and Daily Life. It includes pieces by women of a variety of ethnic backgrounds, ranging over an extremely eclectic range of topics, from women convicts to racism and politics from koori women's point of view. A reasonable representation of Aboriginal women is present - more than in most collections. Part Two looks at particular places , It is called Cities - Country - Rivers. Some of the pieces are about places well away from the regular tourist path, for example Flinders Island. This is a feminist volume, and includes chapters from lesbian women. Staying and working on organic farms is popular these days. Kaye Johnston's chapter "The revolutionary nature of Lesbian Organic Gardening" tells about her and her partner's project - Moonraker farm in the NSW Southern Highlands. At the end are several listings, some of which may be out of date. More useful is a Recommended Reading section which includes literature, anthologies, poetry and plays, fiction, autobiography, history, - mainly, but not exclusively by women. There is biographical information on each of the contributors. This is a really interesting volume to dip in to, and it is a very valuable companion to Australian cultural life, breaking out of the Crocodile Dundee, sunbronzed Aussie type of stereotype. And, I think, despite the title, there is much for men in here too!

I have read several of Mr. Johnson's books and find them all very informative. Being an Australian, was particularly interested in "Australia from the back of a Camel". This book gives a very accurate description of the vast expanse of inland Oz, and one can almost smell the dust. For anyone contemplating a trip to Central Australia, this book is a must.

Dr Strahan's masterly review of changing Australian perceptions of China is nothing short of miraculous. My only comment is that Dr Strahan neglects somewhat the role of the Collingwood Australian Football Club in Australia - China relations in favour of the less important and quite frankly overrated Carlton.

This is a great resource for children and adults. The author covers different Pacific cultures (New Guinea, Hawaii, etc) and describes their unique contributions to world music. The text and book design (an ocean-blue motif that perfectly complements the subject) are both outstanding.