Book Review: The Big Book of Australian Nursery Rhymes
- Mel
- Mar 27
- 4 min read
An Australian Nursery Rhymes Book Review for Families
This Australian nursery rhymes book review shares what we loved, what we wondered about, and how we used this book in our home.
The Big Book of Australian Nursery Rhymes by Frane Lessac is one of those books that just feels lovely to read together.
It takes the familiar rhythm and comfort of nursery rhymes and gives them a very Australian feel—filled with animals, landscapes, and scenes that our children can actually recognise and connect with.
As we read through it, it wasn’t just about the rhymes. We found ourselves pausing, pointing things out, asking questions, and getting pulled into the illustrations just as much as the words.
It’s the kind of book that naturally slows you down (in a good way) and invites you to enjoy the moment together.
What’s Great!
There were quite a few things we really loved about this book:
The illustrations are just beautiful. They’re bright and full of detail, and every time we turned a page there was something new to notice. It really encourages children to look closely, not just listen.
It feels very “close to home”. Seeing kangaroos, kookaburras, and familiar landscapes makes a big difference—especially for younger children who are still making sense of the world around them.
The rhythm of the rhymes makes it really easy (and fun) to read aloud together. My children quickly started joining in, predicting words, and picking up the patterns without even realising it.
It’s one of those books that can be enjoyed in different ways, depending on the child (or even the adult reading it). In our home, one of my children was drawn to the look and feel of the book—the colours, the illustrations, and the sing-song rhythm of the rhymes—while the other naturally used it as a starting point to ask questions and explore more about the animals we were seeing. I really appreciate books like this that don’t expect children to engage in one particular way. It leaves space for different interests and ways of interacting, which means it works beautifully across a range of ages—and even for adults reading along.
It naturally leads to conversation. We kept stopping to ask things like:
“What animal is that?”
“Where do you think this is?”
“Have we seen something like that before?” Those little moments are where so much learning happens.
It’s very easy to extend if you want to—but it doesn’t require anything extra. You can simply read and enjoy it, or you can build on it with drawing, storytelling, or even a nature walk.
There’s a really nice sense of place throughout the whole book. It gently connects children to Australian animals and environments in a way that feels natural, not forced.
What I Didn’t Love (or Wondered About)
There wasn’t much that didn’t work for us, but a couple of small things stood out:
Some of the rhymes weren’t familiar to us, so we didn’t have that immediate “we know this one!” feeling. That said, it didn’t take long for them to become favourites.
Because it’s a collection of rhymes rather than a story, engagement can dip in and out depending on the rhyme. We found ourselves naturally lingering on some pages more than others.
I did find myself wishing there was just a little extra information about some of the animals or places—especially for older children who want to dig a bit deeper.
For some of the less familiar rhymes, it would have been really helpful to have some guidance on how they are meant to sound when spoken or sung.
Something like a QR code, audio recording, or even a note referencing the traditional rhyme it’s based on would make it much easier for parents to confidently share the rhythm and flow—especially if it’s not one they already know.
Explorations Unlocked!
This is one of those books that opens the door to so many simple learning moments.
Some of the things we’ve done (or are planning to do):
Making up our own Australian nursery rhymes
Acting out favourite rhymes (this was a big hit!)
Drawing scenes from the book
Adding animals we noticed into our nature journals
Going for a walk and seeing what we can spot in real life
Comparing these rhymes to more traditional nursery rhymes
Talking more about the animals and where they live
Clapping or tapping out the rhythm of the rhymes
Nothing complicated—just simple, meaningful extensions that build on what’s already there.
What I Think About This Book
This is a really lovely book to have on your shelf.
It’s simple in the best kind of way—engaging, easy to pick up, and full of opportunities to connect, talk, and explore together.
I’d recommend it for families with children around 3–8 years, especially if you’re looking for something that:
supports early literacy in a natural way
connects learning to the Australian environment
encourages curiosity and conversation
It’s definitely one we’ll come back to again and again.
More Books to Explore if You Loved This One!
If this book resonated with you, you might also enjoy:
A beautiful journey around Australia that invites children to notice landscapes, landmarks, and everyday moments across the country. 
A gentle and reflective look at Australian landscapes and connection to place, with a strong sense of belonging and identity. 
This is part of Marianne Berkes’ “Over in…” series (which all follow the same rhythmic, counting-style format based on Over in the Meadow). 
A meaningful introduction to Indigenous perspectives, encouraging respect, connection, and understanding of Country.
Comments