I’m Australian Too

I absolutely love this book. I’m Australian Too is a book every Australian child should read regardless of where they or their parents were born.

This book shares the message of heritage and equality.

On a personal note, it’s important to me that our kids remember where they came from but also feel Australian because ultimately that is who they will be.

I am so glad it has been included on the NSW Premier Reading Challenge list. I was equally happy to find out that my daughter’s pre-school made it their book of the month a few months back.

 

Book 16 of the PRC: I’m Australian Too

I’m Australian too is written by the same lady who wrote the beautiful Possum Magic. It’s a relatively new book from Mem Fox as I believe it was only written in 2017. She is such a great Australian writer. If you’re not familiar with her works, you should check her out or ask about her books at a local library.

The Plot 

I’m Australian Too doesn’t have a plot as such. The story is an introduction to all the different types of people that make up Australia. Each page introduces you to a new family who have come from a different place. Some are from other countries, while others are from different states, cities or towns.

 

There is an Aussie family whose members were born in Ballarat, Sydney and Melbourne. There are other families from further away –  a vietnamese family in Melbourne and a family from Somalia in Hobart.

 

It’s a story of inclusiveness and the fact that a large portion of the population come from other places in the world.

 

“We open doors to strangers.

Yes everyone’s a friend.

Australia Fair is ours to share, 

where broken hearts can mend.”

 

This book is good for kids who come from elsewhere to know that they are welcome in Australia. It’s also good for kids who are born and bred Aussies as it is an introduction to heritage and diversity so as to promote inclusion and kindness.

 

 

The Book Itself 

This isn’t a bedtime story book. It’s a book you want to read through with your kids and then discuss with them.

I’m Australian Too is beautifully illustrated by Ronojoy Ghosh. Each of the families are introduced against a typically Australian backdrop. It’s a really beautiful picture book to add to your collection if you don’t have it already!

 

Our booklist

 

At this stage of the challenge, we have also read: Alphabetical Sydney, The Gruffalo’s Child and Hairy McLairy. For more details on each book and in order to help you decide whether you want to add it to your list, just click on the name of the book and it should take you to the full review.

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NSW Premier Reading Challenge

If you don’t know about the NSW Premier Reading Challenge, it is an initiative by the department of education to promote literacy and reading. It is not a competition!

There is an extensive list of books on the website from which you choose the number of books you have to read. We have to read 30 because my son is in the K – Year 2 Challenge.

Once we read our book we add it to our booklist and if we get to 30 we get a certificate from the Premier.

You can find out more from the NSW PRC Website. 

 

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