“Why shouldn’t the meadow in the nursery rhyme “Over in the Meadow” be in Australia? Berkes recasts the song to introduce readers to counting, Australian animals, and the names of their young (“Over in Australia / Looking like a kangaroo / Lived a smaller wallaby / And her little joeys two”). Dubin’s lively collages feature textured papers, with pencil and crayon providing extra detail for the animals. Add musical notation for the song as well as detailed information about the 10 featured animals (plus 10 more hidden throughout the spreads), and it’s a remarkably layered and entertaining tip to the land of Oz.” — Publisher’s Weekly “With a fluid text and lively illustrations, this picture book introduces 10 Australian animals: saltwater crocodiles, wallabies, koalas, platypuses, rainbow lorikeets, wombats, sugar gliders, brolgas, bilbies, and emus. Many writers have used the structure, rhythm, and rhyme scheme of the traditional rhyme “Over in the Meadow” as a vehicle for similar topics, but few have adapted it as successfully as Berkes. Varied effects of painted, printed, and textured elements enhance Dubin’s vibrant collages of cut and torn papers. The first 10 double-page spreads focus on the animal mothers and their babies; the next locates each species on a map of Australia and challenges children to go back and search for the other creatures hidden in the pictures. The book concludes with facts about all the Australian animals shown, a brief bibliography, ideas for activities, and the traditional tune for “Over in the Meadow.” A great choice for classroom units on Australia.” — Booklist (American Library Assn.) “Australian animals ARE amazing, and this book makes it a pleasure to share them with young children. Creative illustrations, rhyming language, and informative text are a guaranteed recipe for engaging children with literature.” — Susan Elliott, Convenor, Australian Association for Environmental Education Early Childhood Special Interest Group “I love koalas and it was great fun finding the Kookaburra on the koala page. I have kookaburras in my garden. I hope this charming book inspires you to protect and admire animals wherever you live.” — Deborah Tabart OAM, The Koala Woman, Australian Koala Foundation

The six books Marianne has published with Dawn Publications each have won awards and garnered exceptional reviews. She is also the author of Marsh Morning, about bird songs in the marsh, and Marsh Music, about the night songs of frogs in the marsh. Marsh Morning won a Florida Reading Association Award in 2004.