A fun read for young people and their adults who want to rediscover a true Australian classic.
Feature image credit: Penguin Books Australia
Banjo Paterson (1864 – 1941) is still arguably Australia’s most famous and loved poet. His iconic poem The Man from Snowy River is the inspiration for curriculums and films alike.
Editor Kathryn England has expertly simplified the text right down to 11 pages of simple sentences for early readers. As the Children’s Literary Classics 2014 award winner for Best First Picture Book, England now has a number of books for young people under her belt and a great understanding of how to tell more complex stories to her readers.
This is illustrator Cate James’ book however, and England’s text complements the full-page colourful images beautifully. Between the two of them, it familiarises the reader with the poem while teaching about colours and counting up to 10. For each of James’ delightful pages, there is an increasing number of Australiana items – one grey horse, two red rosellas, and so on. Readers (or their adult) can discover the counted items together while also exploring all the other elements of the images, which comprise wild landscapes, people, flora and fauna, all with a distinctly Aussie flair.
This edition of The Man from Snowy River is a durable square board book that’s built to last. Sized approximately 18x18cm, it sits easy in small hands.
This is the one of two books released simultaneously under the brand Australian Classics for Little Ones. Banjo Paterson’s song, ‘Waltzing Matilda,’ is the focus of the accompanying volume, sold separately and also edited by Kathryn England. It runs for the same length.
It’s great to see such a simple concept executed so smoothly. These will no doubt become popular readers for early learners and lovers of Australiana.
Reviewed by Rod Lewis
The views expressed in this review belong to the author and not Glam Adelaide, its affiliates, or employees.
Distributed by: Penguin Books Australia
Released: April 2026
RRP: $14.99
