Australia is home to more animal species than any other developed country, with a large percentage of them found nowhere else on earth, and because of the isolated nature of our country many have evolved to be very unusual and curious indeed. Did you know, for example, that the koala has two thumbs for extra grip? Or that the lyrebird has a remarkable ability to perfectly mimic almost any sound – a car alarm, a mobile phone, a dog barking, even a human voice? Perhaps you knew that kangaroos have two stomachs, they regurgitate their food, chew it and then swallow it all over again? We get to discover all of this and more in Tania McCartney’s latest book Fauna: Australia’s Most Curious Creatures.

The layout and illustrations in this exquisite nonfiction title once again portray McCartney’s talents for design. The information is presented in segments that the younger reader can delve into, as well as supplying a comprehensive dialogue to keep the more advanced entertained. We learn about habitat, physical characteristics, feeding and breeding, with added details about each animal’s current conservation status from Extinct (EX) to Least Concern (LC), many are scarily listed as Endangered (EN) or Vulnerable (VU).

This book will capture the eye with its gorgeous illustrations, share some brilliant facts about Australia’s animals, and also teach us awareness so perhaps we can safeguard these curious creatures.

Claire Atherfold is the children’s book buyer at Readings State Library.