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Understanding Our World

Books about nature, sustainability and the world around us

48 books in this theme

View details for Alexander's Outing
Alexander's Outing book cover

Alexander's Outing

by Pamela Allen

Ages 3-6 years

When Alexander the duckling strays from his family during their Sydney harbour outing, he tumbles into a deep hole and needs rescuing. It takes the simple action of a little boy sharing his drink to raise the water level and save the day.

Animals Australia Collaboration Problem Solving STEAM
View details for Belonging
Belonging book cover

Belonging

by Jeannie Baker

Ages 6-12 years

A wordless story about Tracy, who feels like an outsider in her neighborhood until she and her neighbors work together to transform their urban street into a vibrant community garden. A beautiful story about belonging and positive change.

Environment and Sustainability Family and Community
View details for Busy Beaks
Busy Beaks - Sarah Allen book cover

Busy Beaks

by Sarah Allen

Ages 3-7 years

Spend a day with Australia's most vibrant and unique feathered friends. Full of splashing shorebirds, clattering cockatoos, parading penguins and greedy galahs, Busy Beaks is the perfect introduction to birds of all shapes and sizes. An engaging exploration of Australian wildlife that combines education with beautiful illustrations.

Animals Australia
View details for Country
Country book cover

Country

by Aunty Fay Muir, Sue Lawson Illustrated by Cheryl Davison

Ages 4-8 years

An exploration of what Country means for First Nations people through beautiful artwork and words. This book shares the deep connection between Indigenous Australians and the land, celebrating storytelling, song, and our shared responsibility to care for Country.

Australia Environment and Sustainability Indigenous Themes, Authors and Illustrators Responsibility Self Identity
View details for Country Tells Us When...
Country Tells Us When book cover

Country Tells Us When...

by Dalisa Pigram-Ross, Mary Dann, Sheree Ford, Tsheena Cooper

Ages 5-8 years

The Yawuru people don't follow four seasons—they listen to Country's voice through six seasons told by sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. A celebration of Indigenous knowledge and the deep connection between people and place.

Australia Environment and Sustainability Indigenous Themes, Authors and Illustrators
View details for Eye to Eye
Eye to Eye book cover

Eye to Eye

by Graeme Base

Ages 6-12 years

A unique book featuring close-up photographs of eyes from endangered animals around the world. Each eye reveals clues about the animal's identity, habitat, and conservation status, creating an engaging guessing game with a serious environmental message.

Animals Environment and Sustainability
View details for Florette
Florette book cover

Florette

by Anna Walker

Ages 4-8 years

When Mae moves from her country garden to a concrete city apartment, she feels lost without her green world. With patience, determination, and a few seeds, she discovers that even the smallest urban spaces can bloom with life and possibility.

Environment and Sustainability Friendship Resilience
View details for Here We Are
Here We Are book cover

Here We Are

by Oliver Jeffers

Ages 3-8 years

A father's letter to his newborn child, sharing gentle wisdom about life on Earth. A beautifully illustrated guide that teaches children about kindness, curiosity, and caring for our planet and each other.

Environment and Sustainability Family and Community Empathy and Kindness Adventure and Exploration Growth Mindset Self Identity
View details for Hickory Dickory Dash
Hickory Dickory Dash book cover

Hickory Dickory Dash

by Tony Wilson Illustrated by Laura Wood

Ages 3-7 years

A playful twist on the classic nursery rhyme where various animals race up and down the clock instead of just one mouse. This rhyming story is perfect for young children who love familiar patterns and energetic animal adventures.

Literacy Numeracy Animals
View details for Home
Home book cover

Home

by Carson Ellis

Ages 2-6 years

A beautifully illustrated exploration of what home means to different creatures and people around the world, celebrating the diversity of homes and families.

Family and Community Animals Self Identity
View details for How to Catch a Star
How to Catch a Star book cover

How to Catch a Star

by Oliver Jeffers

Ages 3-7 years

Once there was a boy who loved stars so much that he wished he had one of his very own. Every night he watched the stars in the sky from his bedroom window and dreamed of how he could be their friend. A magical story about determination, creativity, and the joy of pursuing your dreams.

Problem Solving Friendship Adventure and Exploration
View details for Hunwick's Egg
Hunwick's Egg book cover

Hunwick's Egg

by Mem Fox Illustrated by Pamela Lofts

Ages 4-8 years

Hunwick the bandicoot finds an egg and dreams of the wonderful creature that will hatch from it. When the egg doesn't hatch as expected, Hunwick learns about disappointment, acceptance, and finding joy in unexpected places.

Friendship Emotions Animals Australia
View details for I Want My Hat Back
I Want My Hat Back book cover

I Want My Hat Back

by Jon Klassen

Ages 3-8 years

A bear has lost his hat and politely asks various animals if they have seen it. This deadpan comedy explores themes of persistence, problem-solving, and the satisfaction of recovering something important.

Problem Solving Animals Persistence
View details for Jungle Drums
Jungle Drums book cover

Jungle Drums

by Graeme Base

Ages 4-8 years

Ngiri the warthog feels different from the other animals and wishes he could be like them. When he discovers his own special talent for drumming, he learns to appreciate his unique qualities and brings the jungle together through music. A heartwarming story about self-acceptance, celebrating differences, and the unifying power of music.

Friendship Self Identity Creativity Animals
View details for Kind - A Call to Care for Every Creature
Kind - A Call to Care for Every Creature book cover

Kind - A Call to Care for Every Creature

by Jess McGeachin

Ages 4-8 years

Every creature on Earth deserves our awe and compassion. This book celebrates the diversity of animal life from tiny beetles to majestic whales, inspiring children to become caring stewards of the natural world.

Animals Empathy and Kindness Environment and Sustainability Responsibility
View details for Koala Lou
Koala Lou book cover

Koala Lou

by Mem Fox Illustrated by Pamela Lofts

Ages 3-8 years

Koala Lou loves hearing her mother say 'Koala Lou, I DO love you!' but as her family grows, she hears it less often. She enters the Bush Olympics hoping to win her mother's attention back, learning that love doesn't need to be earned. A touching story about family bonds and the reassuring truth of unconditional parental love.

Animals Australia Family and Community Emotions
View details for Lost and Found
Lost and Found book cover

Lost and Found

by Oliver Jeffers

Ages 3-7 years

There once was a boy and one day a penguin arrives on his doorstep. The boy decides the penguin must be lost and tries to return him. A touching story about friendship, understanding, and discovering that sometimes what we think others need isn't what they actually need.

Friendship Empathy and Kindness Animals Problem Solving
View details for Meerkat Mayhem
Meerkat Mayhem book cover

Meerkat Mayhem

by Mem Fox Illustrated by Judy Horacek

Ages 3-7 years

A counting book that follows increasingly chaotic situations with meerkats from 1 to 10. As more meerkats appear, the mayhem grows, creating a humourous story that teaches numbers while celebrating the playful nature of these social animals.

Animals Numeracy
View details for Mr Tiger Goes Wild
Mr Tiger Goes Wild book cover

Mr Tiger Goes Wild

by Peter Brown

Ages 3-7 years

Mr Tiger is tired of being proper and polite, so he decides to go wild! A story about being true to yourself and finding the balance between fitting in and being authentic.

Animals Self Identity Growth Mindset
View details for My Country
My Country book cover

My Country

by Dorothea Mackellar Illustrated by Andrew McLean

Ages 6-12 years

Dorothea Mackellar's beloved poem 'My Country' brought to life with beautiful illustrations. This classic Australian poem celebrates the unique landscape, weather, and character of the Australian continent.

Australia Literacy Environment and Sustainability
View details for Owl Babies
Owl Babies book cover

Owl Babies

by Martin Waddell Illustrated by Patrick Benson

Ages 2-6 years

Three owl babies wake up to find their mother gone and must comfort each other while waiting for her return. This gentle story addresses separation anxiety and provides reassurance about parental love and return.

Family and Community Emotions Resilience Courage and Bravery Animals
View details for Piranhas Don't Eat Bananas
Piranhas Don't Eat Bananas book cover

Piranhas Don't Eat Bananas

by Aaron Blabey

Ages 4-8 years

Brian the piranha is tired of eating fish and wants to try bananas, but all the other piranhas think this is ridiculous. This humourous story challenges stereotypes and celebrates being different and following your own preferences.

Animals Self Identity
View details for Possum Magic
Possum Magic book cover

Possum Magic

by Mem Fox Illustrated by Julie Vivas

Ages 3-8 years

Grandma Poss makes little Hush invisible to protect her from predators, but when Hush wants to see herself again, they must travel across Australia eating special foods to reverse the magic. A beloved Australian classic celebrating family bonds and cultural foods.

Australia Animals Adventure and Exploration
View details for Rosie's Walk
Rosie's Walk book cover

Rosie's Walk

by Pat Hutchins

Ages 2-6 years

Rosie the hen goes for a walk around the farmyard, unaware that a fox is following her. This classic wordless picture book tells a story of adventure and humour through illustrations while teaching about farm environments.

Animals Adventure and Exploration
View details for Somebody Swallowed Stanley
Somebody Swallowed Stanley book cover

Somebody Swallowed Stanley

by Sarah Roberts Illustrated by Hannah Peck

Ages 4-8 years

Stanley is a plastic bag who gets mistaken for a jellyfish and eaten by a whale. This important environmental story teaches children about plastic pollution in our oceans and the impact on marine life.

Environment and Sustainability Responsibility Animals
View details for Strictly No Elephants
Strictly No Elephants book cover

Strictly No Elephants

by Lisa Mantchev Illustrated by Taeeun Yoo

Ages 4-8 years

When a boy's tiny pet elephant is banned from Pet Club Day, he discovers that being left out can lead to creating your own inclusive space where everyone belongs. A story about friendship, acceptance, and standing up for what's right.

Animals Empathy and Kindness Friendship Self Identity
View details for The Day the Crayons Came Home
The Day the Crayons Came Home book cover

The Day the Crayons Came Home

by Drew Daywalt Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

Ages 3-8 years

The sequel to the beloved 'The Day the Crayons Quit,' this story follows Duncan as he receives postcards from his lost crayons who want to come home. Each crayon has had its own adventure and needs Duncan's help to return safely. A delightful continuation that combines humour with problem-solving and empathy.

Emotions Creativity Problem Solving Literacy Friendship Adventure and Exploration
View details for The Great Paper Caper
The Great Paper Caper book cover

The Great Paper Caper

by Oliver Jeffers

Ages 4-8 years

When branches start disappearing from the forest, the animals must solve the mystery. A story about taking responsibility for your actions and environmental stewardship.

Problem Solving Honesty and Integrity Animals Environment and Sustainability
View details for The Hidden Forest
The Hidden Forest book cover

The Hidden Forest

by Jeannie Baker

Ages 6-10 years

When a family discovers that their local forest is threatened by development, they work with their community to save it. This story combines environmental awareness with community action and the power of collective effort.

Animals Environment and Sustainability Collaboration
View details for The Magic Hat
The Magic Hat book cover

The Magic Hat

by Mem Fox Illustrated by Tricia Tusa

Ages 3-7 years

A wizard's hat blows away in the wind and lands on different animals, magically transforming them in silly and unexpected ways. This rhyming story celebrates transformation, magic, and the joy of silliness.

Animals Literacy
View details for The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig
The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig book cover

The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig

by Eugene Trivizas Illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

Ages 4-8 years

A clever twist on the classic fairy tale where three little wolves try to build houses safe from the big bad pig. This reversed tale explores themes of conflict, escalation, and the power of kindness to transform situations.

Problem Solving Animals Empathy and Kindness
View details for The Tree
The Tree book cover

The Tree

by Graeme Base

Ages 5-10 years

Follow the life of a single tree from seed to ancient giant, witnessing the countless creatures that depend on it and the changes that occur around it over centuries. A beautiful meditation on time, growth, and environmental interconnectedness.

Environment and Sustainability Animals Collaboration Family and Community
View details for The Tree at Number 43
The Tree at Number 43 book cover

The Tree at Number 43

by Jess McGeachin

Ages 4-8 years

In a noisy, grey city, Sam and his Grandpa long for the deep, dark wonderful jungle. But when their dream comes true, can they find a way to protect it? A heartwarming tale about the power of dreams, environmental protection, and the special bond between generations.

Environment and Sustainability Family and Community
View details for The Very Brave Bear
The Very Brave Bear book cover

The Very Brave Bear

by Nick Bland

Ages 3-7 years

Boris the bear thinks he's very brave until he encounters something that truly scares him. A reassuring story about true bravery and the support of friendship in overcoming our fears.

Animals Courage and Bravery Emotions
View details for The Waterhole
The Waterhole book cover

The Waterhole

by Graeme Base

Ages 4-10 years

A counting book that follows various animals as they visit a waterhole during a drought. As the water level drops, fewer animals can be sustained, teaching both counting and environmental concepts about water scarcity.

Animals Environment and Sustainability Responsibility
View details for The Way Back Home
The Way Back Home book cover

The Way Back Home

by Oliver Jeffers

Ages 3-7 years

When a boy's airplane crashes on the moon, he meets a stranded Martian, and together they must find a way back to their respective homes. A story about unlikely friendship and creative problem-solving.

Friendship Creativity Adventure and Exploration
View details for The Whale Who Wanted More
The Whale Who Wanted More book cover

The Whale Who Wanted More

by Rachel Bright Illustrated by Jim Field

Ages 3-8 years

Humphrey the whale thinks bigger is always better and wants everything in the ocean for himself. When his greed leads to loneliness, he learns that sharing and contentment bring true happiness and friendship.

Friendship Emotions Animals
View details for This is Not My Hat
This is Not My Hat book cover

This is Not My Hat

by Jon Klassen

Ages 3-8 years

A small fish steals a hat from a big fish and tries to convince himself (and readers) that everything will be fine. A sophisticated story that uses dark humour and visual storytelling to explore themes of honesty and consequences.

Animals Honesty and Integrity
View details for This Moose Belongs to Me
This Moose Belongs to Me book cover

This Moose Belongs to Me

by Oliver Jeffers

Ages 4-8 years

Wilfred believes he owns a moose named Marcel, but the moose has other ideas about independence and freedom. This humourous story explores themes of friendship, respect, and understanding that some things cannot be owned.

Responsibility Friendship Animals
View details for Tiger Days
Tiger Days book cover

Tiger Days

by M.H. Clark Illustrated by Anna Hurley

Ages 4-8 years

Some days we feel like fierce tigers, and that's okay. This book acknowledges that children have different emotional days and provides gentle guidance for understanding and managing big feelings.

Emotions Animals
View details for Uno's Garden
Uno's Garden book cover

Uno's Garden

by Graeme Base

Ages 5-10 years

Uno loves the forest and its wildlife, but as more people discover his paradise, the natural balance changes. This counting book explores environmental themes while teaching numbers and the concept of carrying capacity. A thought-provoking counting story about the delicate balance between human development and nature conservation.

Numeracy Environment and Sustainability
View details for Up and Down
Up and Down book cover

Up and Down

by Oliver Jeffers

Ages 3-6 years

A delightful story about a penguin and a boy's friendship, exploring themes of cooperation, problem-solving, and the ups and downs of relationships. A heartwarming tale about working through challenges together and the resilience of true friendship.

Friendship Collaboration Emotions Adventure and Exploration Problem Solving
View details for We Found a Hat
We Found a Hat book cover

We Found a Hat

by Jon Klassen

Ages 3-8 years

Two turtles find a hat that looks good on both of them, but there's only one hat. This story explores friendship, fairness, and doing the right thing even when it's difficult.

Friendship Honesty and Integrity Animals
View details for We're Going on a Bear Hunt
We're Going on a Bear Hunt book cover

We're Going on a Bear Hunt

by Michael Rosen Illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

Ages 2-7 years

A family goes on an exciting bear hunt, encountering various obstacles along the way. This interactive story with repetitive text and sound effects encourages participation and explores themes of adventure, courage, and family bonding.

Literacy Adventure and Exploration Family and Community Emotions Courage and Bravery
View details for Where Is The Green Sheep?
Where Is The Green Sheep? book cover

Where Is The Green Sheep?

by Mem Fox Illustrated by Judy Horacek

Ages 1-5 years

A delightful search for the green sheep among many other sheep with different characteristics. This simple, rhythmic story teaches colors, opposites, and descriptive words while engaging young readers in a playful guessing game.

Literacy Animals
View details for Where the Forest Meets the Sea
Where the Forest Meets the Sea book cover

Where the Forest Meets the Sea

by Jeannie Baker

Ages 5-10 years

A boy explores an ancient rainforest and imagines the animals that once lived there and the changes that might come in the future. A breathtaking exploration of our connection to nature and the importance of protecting ancient ecosystems.

Environment and Sustainability Australia Indigenous Themes, Authors and Illustrators Animals
View details for Why I Love Australia
Why I Love Australia book cover

Why I Love Australia

by Bronwyn Bancroft

Ages 4-8 years

A stunning visual journey across Australia, from dramatic gorges to snowy mountains, from bustling cities to peaceful rainforests. This book captures the beauty and diversity of Country through vibrant artwork and poetic words.

Australia Creativity Environment and Sustainability Indigenous Themes, Authors and Illustrators Self Identity
View details for Window
Window book cover

Window

by Jeannie Baker

Ages 5-12 years

A wordless picture book that shows the view from a window over 20 years, documenting how a natural landscape gradually transforms into an urban environment. A powerful story about environmental change and development.