Bilby: Secrets of an Australian Marsupial

Reviewed by: Shannon Schinagl - Maine State Library, Augusta, Central Maine Library District

Review Date: August 11, 2015

Review

This picture book is an introduction to the bilby, an Australian marsupial. The book has two parts: the first is story-like and follows a baby bilby from birth to adulthood. The second provides additional facts supporting the actions of the baby bilby and its mother. Each two-page spread includes the "story" part of the book and the factual paragraphs. However, they are differentiated only by typeface -- there are no sidebars, separate boxes, or even different text colors to highlight the information. At times, I almost missed the difference. For an informational book, the language is quite flowery: "In the moonlight, Bilby canters -- tail aloft like a banner -- across the spiny grass..." It's lovely, but detracts slightly from the information.

Strangely, a three-paragraph introduction to the bilby is on the front right endpaper; not as decoration, but what would normally be the first page of text.

While the mixed-media illustrations would be lovely as pure art, they are not appropriate for this book. I have a bias for photographs when it comes to science books (including animals). However, if an author chooses to use illustrations, they should be clear and detailed, like Gail Gibbons' work. These illustrations are hazy and unclear, and do not even support the text. For example, the mother has a "crested tail with its horny spur at the tip." I didn't know bilbies had horny spurs on their tails and desperately wanted to see one, but the accompanying illustration did not show one. It was very frustrating.

There are not a lot of informational books about the bilby for young children, but I still do not recommend adding this book to your collection in either a public or school library. If a student needs information about the bilby, I would recommend a book on Australia with a page about the bilby, or a book about marsupials, over this picture book.

Overall Book Score: fair