Children's Books from the Antipodes and a Giveaway

As I was reading Ginger one of my favourite childhood stories yesterday it came to me that I should introduce my readers to some of these gems by authors from Australia and New Zealand.  I have taken a photo of one of the classic pages of each so you can get an idea what they are about.

Mem Fox is one of the giants of children's literature in Australia.  Two of my favourites are Possum Magic (started her career) and Time For Bed.  Look at the illustration in Possum Magic - don't you just love Grandma Poss's house slippers!

Time For Bed

Possum Magic

 The Hairy Maclary stories by New Zealand author Lynley Todd are just brilliant.  Beautifully rhythmical with lines like "Hercules Morse as big as a horse".  Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy is the first in the series. 

Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy

Mr McGee by Pamela Allen is so much fun.  Mr McGee lives under a tree and is always getting into trouble.  There are many other books in which Mr McGee appears - eg Mr McGee and the Biting Flea.  Another great book for rhyming.  Bertie and the Bear is also worth hunting down.

Mr McGee

Isabella's Garden by Glenda Millard and Rebecca Cool was only published last year and was a birth gift for Ginger.  It is the story of a single tree through all the seasons.  Beautiful language and illustrations.

Isabella's Garden

And finally a counting book - don't you love those roosters - The Hilton Hen House by Jo Hinchcliffe.  Just a lot of fun.

The Hilton Hen House

GIVEAWAY

At our recent lifeline bookfair DH and I got a little carried away and ended up with a duplicate copy of One Woolly Wombat by Rod Trinca and Kerry Argent.  So if you would like to enter to win a secondhand copy (the cover is a little worn but the contents are perfect) of this counting book for your child, grandchild or future child, please leave your name in the comments and perhaps tell me what your favourite picture book was as a child - or one your children enjoy now.  I will post anywhere in the world.  I will draw the winner next Wednesday (just be aware Australia is ahead of the rest of the world - your morning is our evening).