Available Formats
The Big Book of Australian Nursery Rhymes
By (Author) Fran Lessac
By (author) Fran Lessac
Walker Books Australia
Walker Books Australia
1st March 2026
Australia
Children
Non Fiction
Nominated for CBCA Book of the Year Awards, Early Childhood 2025 (Australia)
Paperback
96
Width 240mm, Height 250mm
Chant and clap, play and sing along to this fun-filled collection of nursery rhymes with an Australian twist by bestselling author and illustrator, Fran Lessac.
Row, row, row, your boat, Gently down the creek. If you hear a Tassie devil, Dont forget to shriek!
Tweaked and twisted nursery rhymes include: Twinkle, Twinkle, Southern Stars; Rock-a-Bye, Joey;
D-I-N-G-O!; This Little Froggy; Lizzie Had a Little Bat; Here We Go Round the Banksia Bush; Hop Goes the Bilby; Three Blind Moles; Old McDonald Went Out Bush ... and many more in this glorious 96-page volume, destined to be an Australian classic
A wonderfully imaginative Australian adaptation of 29 traditional nursery rhymes. While retaining the original rhythms and basic narratives, each verse features a well-known bird or animal. * Reading Time *
Fran has used bright, vibrant colours in her illustrations that reflect the nursery rhyme each one has specific and cleverly crafted to ensure it evokes exactly what the words reveal, as well as being able to engage young children who can see the nursery rhyme being read to them playing out on the pages as they look at the booka few tweaks that give the nursery rhymes new life and magic, and something that I think is wonderful for all ages, as it is filled with memories of what we know whilst also making new memories, and I loved the way this book has come together for Australians of all ages. -- Ashleigh Meikle * The Book Muse *
Adults and children alike will be captivated by the nave, colourful illustrations and the recognisable tunes and rhymes, which will be re-visited over and over again. * Kids Book Review *
This is a lovely interactive book that kids will love to read with someone and try out for themselves. Highly recommended. * Read Plus *
Fran Lessac is an author and illustrator of international renown, having nearly fifty childrens books published throughout the world. She was born in the USA and lived on the Caribbean island of Montserrat, as well as in London, before moving to Australia. Fran loves to travel and create books based on her worldwide journeys. She has contributed her distinctive paintings to many critically acclaimed childrens picture books including, The Legend of Moondyne Joe which won the West Australian Premiers Childrens Book Award, and Simpson and His Donkey, a CBCA Honour Book that was also selected as a USBBY Outstanding International Book. In 2019, We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga, written by Traci Sorell, was awarded the Robert F. Sibert Honor Book Honor medal, the Orbis Pictus Honor Book medal and the Boston Globe Horn Book Honor medal.