October 1, 2023
Grades 4-6 *Starred Review* It's hard to squeeze information about the world's sixth-largest country into a short presentation, but the judiciously chosen facts in this installment in the Exploring World Landmarks series (4 titles) both pique interest and provide a solid overview of the subject. After an introduction to the continent as a whole, which mentions heavily populated areas, Aboriginal groups, and unique species, two-page spreads get into more depth. Each spread covers a natural or man-made landmark, including Uluru, the Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Opera House, and Port Arthur (the ruins of a massive penal colony jail). Each landmark is described and shown in large, crisp color photographs, and the text emphasizes what the feature means to Australians today. Browsers will enjoy the wow factor of the strange animals and landforms; the book will also be a hit for reports as it covers lesser-known treasures, such as the Bungle Bungles, a group of cone-shaped sandstone hills that were an Aboriginal secret up until 40 years ago. A worthwhile purchase for public and school library shelves.
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November 1, 2023
Gr 5-9-Students will dive into this series with its stunning images of famous landmarks, both natural and man-made. A map of the country is marked with thumbnail images of all the sites described in the book. Five facts about the country appear in a short list. There is also a description of how each country is organized into states, provinces, etc. and a definition of what landmarks are. Each site is featured in a large photo; smaller inset photos are also included for some landmarks, such as a close-up of one of the caves in Uluru. A large text box holds the main description, while smaller boxes hold captions for the images. "At a Glance" is a final section with official data about each country such as population, official languages, etc. VERDICT A visually appealing series for classroom reports, armchair travelers, or those planning a sightseeing tour.
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