17 Books From Your Aussie Childhood That You've Probably Forgotten About
Excuse me while I sob into my copy of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie.
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1. Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley
Who doesn't remember the rambling wanderings of this wombat?? Little me would sit out on the back verandah just praying that a wombat would wander it's way over.
2. The Complete Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie by May Gibbs
Snugglepot and Cuddlepie absolutely dominated pre-school reading. I was obsessed from the first moment Mum started reading them to me. They love and protect each other and wear little gumnut hats – how cute is that?!
3. Possum Magic by Mem Fox and Julie Vivas
Possum Magic was THE BEST bedtime story ever, though I do hold it partly responsible for that time I got bitten by a possum when when I was 12. Not all possums are friendly FYI.
4. One Woolly Wombat by Kerry Argent and Rod Trinca
It was absolutely ESSENTIAL to learn how to count with this book. Sitting cross-legged on the classroom floor as your kindy teacher flipped through this bad boy...those were the days!
5. Edward The Emu by Sheena Knowles and Rod Clement.
Edward was always so adorably quirky that you could't help but love him. The follow up book starring Edwina the Emu was also fab and I wanted nothing more than my own pair of pink ballet slippers.
6. Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy by Lynley Dodd
Hairy Maclary and his friends were the CUTEST gang out there. Did anyone else play the game where each one of your friends pretended to be a dog from the series? No? Just me? No regrets.
7. Imagine by Alison Lester
The colours and illustrations of this book bring back memories from my childhood that I didn't even know I had. I can't remember exactly what it was about, but I sure as heck remember reading it.
8. The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay
Who didn't like this classic Aussie story?! It's main theme is a pudding that won't run out! I even remember dreaming of this as a kid because I read it so many times.
9. Blinky Bill by Dorothy Wall
Growing up Blinky Bill was my fave character. He was always so strong and self-assured and he ROCKED those red overalls.
10. Wombat Stew by Marcia K. Vaughan and Pamela Loftus
Small army of school children singing loudly:
"Wombat stew,
Wombat stew,
Gooey, brewy,
Yummy, chewy,
Wombat stew!"
11. Grug by Ted Prior
Good 'ole Grug! As a kid, there was no worry in the world that Grug couldn't solve. His books were the perfect blend of ~education~ and fun.
12. There's A Hippopotamus On Our Roof Eating Cake by Hazel Edwards and Deborah Niland
Looking at this image, I can literally HEAR my chubby, childhood hands squeaking over the pages. I'm an adult now and I still want the hippopotamus' cake backpack from the sequel.
13. Wicked! by Morris Gleitzman and Paul Jennings
Getting a little bit older meant reading literary classics such as this Wicked. This was so weird and wacky that the images of the creepy crawlies have stayed with me over the years.
14. Rowan of Rin: The Journey by Emily Rhodda
This collection of books WAS EVERYTHING for 12-year-old me. Rowan, you were my first love and I've never forgotten you.
15. The Bad Book by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton
This book was every Aussie kid's introduction to poetry. I remember reading this in the primary school playground and feeling ~bad~ and ~devious~.
16. The Hobbit by J.R.Tolkien
I wish I could go back and read this book for the first time all over again. So much simpler than The Lord of the Rings, it was a perfect introduction into fantasy life.
17. Seven Little Australians by Ethel Turner
This is Australia's version of Little Women and I personally believe everyone should read it. It honestly changed my life and Judy, you will forever and always be my fictional soulmate and idol.