Author: J. MacCallum Illustrator: Walter Dowman Published by: Currawong Publishing, Sydney Printed by: Commercial Printing, Sydney Publication Date: [circa 1942] Format: Softcover Pages: 70 pages Dimensions: 24 cm Series: Marcie Muir Collection of Australian Children’s Books Condition: Fair – rubbing and loss to covers, water marks to back cover and some internal pages; still charming and legible throughout
Notes:
Listed in Muir, M. A Bibliography of Australian Children's Books, entry no. 4424
Includes black-and-white illustrations on almost every page
Intended for children
Description:
Australian Animals: Descriptions and Verse is a whimsical and educational children’s book from the early 1940s, pairing charming poems with lively black-and-white illustrations of Australian fauna. Created by J. MacCallum with delightful artwork by Walter Dowman, this book introduces young readers to iconic native species through lyrical verse and factual notes.
Though age-worn, this edition retains all the nostalgic charm of early Australian children’s publishing and offers a wonderful window into how Australian nature was presented to children during the wartime period.
Why You’ll Love It: An enchanting blend of poetry, science, and illustration—this book is ideal for collectors of vintage Australian children's books, educators, or lovers of nature-themed ephemera. Despite its wear, it remains a delightful and historically significant piece of Australiana.
