Found in Sydney

 Found in Sydney

Reviewed By  Grasshopper2       January 10, 2023

 

Author  Joanne O'Callaghan, illustrated by Kori Song.

Distributor:      Allen & Unwin Children's
ISBN:                 9781760526245
Publisher:         Allen and Unwin. Imprint A&U Children's
Release Date:   January 2023  

Website:    https://www.allenandunwin.com 

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As the title suggests, Found in Sydney is a counting book set in Sydney. It would make a great gift for a child who lived overseas, a terrific addition to any school library, or for a family going to visit Sydney. The focus is not on the numerals, but the landscape, so to begin we have a harbour side scene with 1 aeroplane coming in to land.

Each page shows a specific place in Sydney; Taronga Zoo, Manly Beach, Bondi Beach and the Art Gallery of New South Wales, are just some of the double page spreads captured here. For each number, animals or objects are shown and the rhyming lines encourage children to count the named koalas or buildings. Interestingly, after the number 12 comes the number 100, then 1000, then a million. Wow!

Joanne O’Callaghan obviously has a great love of Sydney and Kori Song has once again added vibrant illustrations to keep small children entertained while they count all the things they find.

There is a reference in the front to the Dharug People who were the original inhabitants of the area. A map shows where some of the clans lived, and we are asked to “Please tread softly on our ancient land because our dreaming is forever.”

At the back of the book there is a map of Sydney and surrounds naming all the places illustrated. It would be a great guide for a family who wished to visit this capital city, or for the curious.

Childrens