In the Bush is the fourth book in Potton & Burton’s ‘explore and discover’ series, non-fiction picture books written by Gillian Candler and illustrated by Ned Barraud.
Pitched at older primary children the ‘explore and discover’ series tackles New Zealand’s natural environment. In the Bush explores New Zealand’s bush, encouraging young readers to engage with the plants and animals that make up our special ecosystem. The coverage in the book is extensive, but the information is presented in a way that doesn’t overwhelm readers, and includes a hardy pull out reference card of New Zealand birds.
Illustrated by Ned Barraud (who along with illustrating picture books works at Weta Digital as a texture artist), the book is packed with rich and engaging illustrations.
Writer Gillian Candler has a passion for conservation, and with a background in educational publishing, she knows how to strike the right balance between interest and fact. The other books in the ‘explore and discover’ the series have all been successful. At the Beach won the 2013 Elsie Locke Medal for non-fiction in the Lianza Children’s Book Awards and was a finalist in the 2013 NZ Post Children’s Book Awards. In the Garden received a 2014 Storylines Award. Under the Ocean received a 2015 Storylines Award and was a finalist in the 2015 NZ Children’s Book Awards.
In the Bush is a wonderful piece of New Zealand non-fiction for young readers, and I don’t doubt it will prove to be as successful as the rest of the series.
REVIEWER: Heidi Bailey-North
TITLE: In the Bush
AUTHOR(S): Gillian Candler
ILLUSTRATOR: Ned Barraud
PUBLISHER: Potton & Burton
RRP: $19.99