Author Description

Product Description A rhyming text and colorful illustrations depict an Australian family celebrating Christmas Day, a summer holiday in the "land down under," in the traditional Australian manner From Publishers Weekly Australia's summer begins in December and therefore coincides with the Christmas season, which is celebrated in this picture book. The sun rises one warm country day in the farmlands; the children awaken and join in as the family prepares for Christmas dinner. In spite of adversity ("Dad's got measles, Mum's got flu, Auntie Lil's locked in the loo"), the family is hard at work making such traditional Australian foods as saveloys (sausages) and pikelets (pancakes). Later, "Puddin' steamin' in the pot,/ Pork and cracklin',/ spuds, the lot," round out the Yuletide feast served outdoors under leafy trees. A storm forces them to run inside, but the family emerges later to sit on the front porch to gaze at the stars. The unusual Christmas setting and exotic words are enhanced by the moody, softly shaded illustrations. Gentle touches of family humor are in evidence throughout this pleasant and unusual offering. Ages 3-8. Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. From School Library Journal PreSchool-Grade 2 It's Christmas Day on a farm in Australia, and the busy summer day is described in rhyme. The simple, child-like line drawings colored with watercolors reinforce the changing moods of the text, ranging from a bright sunrise to an afternoon rainstorm to a star-filled evening. Each verse (except the first) is introduced by a framed illustration. Vignettes which help develop each character accompany the remainder of each verse. Each verse is followed by a double-page illustration which completely fills both pages and intensifies the mood created by the text. The pictures are full of humorGrandma on new roller skates, Dad with measlesand are filled with intriguing detailsprize rib