10 Bush Babies

10 Bush Babies by Susan Hall, illustrated by Naomi Zouwer (National Library of Australia)
HB RRP $ 12.99
ISBN 9780642277695
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Ten Australian bush babies have gone to school where Mrs Roo is the teacher. But they decide to play a trick on her. Each time Mrs Roo rings the bell – ding-ding-ding-ding, one less animal appears. Who has gone missing? It’s up to the reader to check the animals and find who the missing one is. There is a hint at the bottom of the page to help discover the answer. To wind up their clever game, the bush babies have a surprise for Mrs Roo at the end.

It’s a countdown but also a counting up of Australian animals.

With their usual talented flair and insight, the authors and illustrators at the NLA have created another educational and simultaneously entertaining book for children featuring Australian animals while learning to count.

The delightful watercolour illustrations that accompany the text are charming. The book is produced in sturdy board with shiny pages that can easily withstand the frequent turning by small hands.