(3) K-3 Illustrated by Lisa Kennedy. Australian Aboriginal communities traditionally had geographical borders, such as mountain ranges and rivers, that defined their lands, and travelers would need permission to cross them. Murphy, a Wurundjeri Aboriginal elder, expands on this ceremonial greeting and permission-granting by describing her country and people with simplicity and reverence. Earth-toned acrylic paintings decorated with white dots and lines add a sense of place.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) 4-6 Who HQ: Where Is...? series. Illustrated by John Hinderliter. The long-running Who Was...? series (originally Grosset, now rebranded by Penguin Workshop) expands its coverage. This readable, informative volume is marred only by its bland interior pencil illustrations. Otherwise, the book will give young readers a good sense of Easter Island's history, location, and current status. Occasional full- and double-page text boxes successfully illuminate related topics. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) K-3 One World, Many Countries series. This serviceable overview for report writers is liberally illustrated with sharp photos. An introductory chapter highlights the School of the Air, which now offers education to outback children via computer rather than the original two-way radios. Four chapters focus on land, government and cities, people and cultures, and daily life. A "Global Connections" page is devoted to Australian-developed technology. Fast facts are appended. Maps, reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) 4-6 Searchlight Books: Do You Know the Continents? series. This boilerplate series provides basic information about the continent it covers in serviceable but generic prose. While the overview is mostly cursory, some engaging details about the smallest continent's uniqueness are welcome. Brief chapters provide information on states and cities, climate, landforms, natural resources, people, cultures, and economics. Colorful stock photos, maps, and sidebars appear throughout. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) K-3 Introducing Continents series. The only continent that is a country is very broadly surveyed through brief topical paragraphs accompanied by color photos. Topics include geography, weather, animals, and "cities and countryside," each of which is given one or two spreads. The book reads like a slicker version of a child's first geography report, which may be the point. "Fun Facts" and a pointless quiz are appended. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton

(4) YA Countries of the World series. This well-written title provides a comprehensive introduction to Australia, its rich history, and present-day constitutional monarchy. The text covers geography, climate, natural resources, population, and culture; color photographs, maps, and sidebars help make the tiny type size less off-putting. Report writers will find useful information. Lists of facts and "Places to Visit" are appended. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Continents series. With a smaller scope than other books in the series, this is an adequate but superficial overview of Australia, illustrated with photographs that are sharp but not always well placed. There is nothing you won't find in a basic encyclopedia article. Common Core sidebars are more interesting but frequently at a higher skill level than the book itself. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton

(4) 4-6 Checkerboard Geography Library: Troubled Treasures--World Heritage Sites series. This book provides basic information about the world's largest reef, located off the east coast of Australia. Topics include its formation, marine life dependent upon it, and how environmental changes are affecting the delicate ecosystem. Measures to protect the reef are also discussed. Photographs and a map, in addition to a useful pronunciation guide, help support the rather sparse information. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) K-3 Readers learn that Hawaii has only two seasons: wet and dry. Easy-to-read text and large, inviting photographs show the changing seasons and explain how humans, animals, and plants are affected. The book's design underscores the differences: light orange pages decorated with stylized suns (dry season) alternate with green pages decorated with rain (wet). Back matter provides additional information for adults.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Countries of the World series. With clear text and well-reproduced photos, this overview highlights New Zealand's spectacular scenery, unique conflicts between the indigenous Maori people and the European settlers, wildlife, and unusual home-grown sports such as zorbing and bungee jumping. Sure to be useful for report writers. Timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) K-3 A+ Books: World of Colors series. From the orange of Uluru (Ayers Rock) and green eucalyptus leaves to the white of the Sydney Opera House and brown Vegemite, Australia's colorful geography and culture are presented through a series of snapshots with superficial accompanying text. Though overall context is lacking, the book's playful design, including bubbly font and large-format photographs, will appeal to young geography students. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) 4-6 World Cultures series. This book examines the life and customs of indigenous Australians. Topics include history, religion, the arts, and traditional medicines, along with animal and plant life of the outback. The large-font text can be simplistic, but the many photographs are compelling. A superficial quiz is appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) 4-6 Global Cities series. Photographs by Rob Bowden. Readers are introduced to the history, culture, economy, environment, and challenges faced by this Australian city. Each section is dense with facts, reading like an encyclopedia entry, but the "case study" sidebars focusing on specific people or issues provide insider views. Well-captioned photographs, charts, graphs, and maps appear throughout the busy pages. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) 4-6 Countries of the World series. This book provides a useful overview of Australia's history, geography, and various diverse cultures; social and environmental problems are also touched on. Clearly labeled maps and vibrant photographs in addition to informative sidebars will give readers a general sense of Australia's past and contemporary life. The book doesn't try to be comprehensive; it's a solid supplemental purchase. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) 4-6 Exploring Continents series. After explaining what a continent is, the book gives a cursory introduction to Australia's geography, climate, wildlife, natural resources, people (persecution of Aboriginals isn't mentioned), and landmarks. Many captioned photos, small maps (New Zealand is on the map but presented ambiguously in the text), and sidebars are included. The book could serve as a very basic introduction to the subject. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) K-3 Continents series. The slight, somewhat choppy text gives an introduction to Australia, touching on geography, climate, landscape, animals, and people, and comparing the cities to the countryside. Clear, well-captioned photographs and maps support the text. "Fast facts" tell about the continent's highest mountains, longest rivers, and other interesting tidbits ("There are about eight times as many sheep as people in Australia"). Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Scott Goto. Fictional Hawaiian narrator Patrick and his father take readers on an island tour of their home state. The parts told in Patrick's voice are humorous and engaging, but the tone often slips into an older-person, more formal style. Bold illustrations depict various aspects of Hawaii's history, and sidenotes highlight interesting facts. A guide to the Hawaiian language is included. Glos.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) K-3 My First Look at Countries series. This cursory look at Australia touches on its people, landscape, and animals. Intended for a young audience, the text is sketchy and disjointed and the content is limited. It would be best used with an adult giving additional information and clarifying possible misconceptions. Colorful photos enhance the simple text. An art project is included. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 Modern Wonders of the World series. The Sydney Opera House is world-renowned for its unusual and striking architecture, and this book details how and why it was built. The Opera House's history is explained and accentuated by strong photographs, capturing the landmark and its inspirations. The clean design, approachable text, and multitude of photos effectively introduce the building. Maps, quick facts. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) YA World Art & Culture series. The arresting images in this volume of both contemporary paintings and ancient rock art should be fascinating enough to motivate readers to plow through the dense text. There is a chapter on ceremonies, songs, and dances, in addition to information on body art, baskets, and carvings. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt