In a once-in-a-lifetime family adventure, young Grace, her two brothers, and their parents embark on a trip by car around Australia. Australian author Alison Lester’s irresistible travel story is full of delightful details of the places they see and the things they do, from walking around the astonishing red rock known as Uluru—the “heart of Australia”—to playing Monopoly in the camper when it’s raining outside. Each page is an appealing blend of detailed, full-color borderless panel illustrations and accompanying narrative in Grace’s lively first-person voice. Geography buffs will especially appreciate the many real places that are shown and described, as well as how the family’s progess is noted on a map that details how far they’ve gone around the continent every few pages. Australian terminology has not been changed for the U.S. audience, so in addition to researching the places Grace and her family visit, some readers will enjoy figuring out references to things such as “witchetty grubs,” “footy” and “a Ned Kelly helmet.” Warm family dynamics are at the heart of a story that stands on its own, but has many wonderful implications for classroom use. (Ages 5–9)

Join Grace and her family on a year of adventure as they hit the road; camping, experiencing, and meeting all the people and places that make up Australia. Based on author Alison Lester's real life travels.