Homeschooling Downunder
Home Education Resources
for Australia and New Zealand
that save you time, money and stress.
Armchair Travel Guide Around Australia
Children don’t stumble onto good books by themselves; they must be introduced to the wonder of words put together in such a way that they spin out pure joy and magic.”
Gladys Hunt— Honey for a Child’s Heart © 1969
Teach Australian history, geography, art, science and literature appreciation from good picture books using this easy to follow guide.
Australian Book Traveller is a unit study that will help you steer your children towards a love of good books. Snuggled up, reading together on the couch you begin your Australian tour.
You are the travel guide. The books are the transport. The children are the tourists. The journey is ahead.
Teach Core Subjects With One Book
With each unit study you will open their eyes to different aspects of Australia as you cover;
- Literature Appreciation
- Geography
- History
- Social Studies
- Science
- Art
Witness with delight as their knowledge of Australia’s culture and heritage blossoms in a very natural way.
Travel Australia with Ten Good Book
Ten Australian picture books have been chosen as the core Travel Books. These books are the starting point of the unit studies. Each varies in its flavour, art and location. The bookswere chosen for their educational, literary and artistic merit. Many are award winners.
There are true tales, legends, fiction and factual stories. Every story has something special to share with your child that will enrich their experience of Australia.
The picture books are not included with this resource.
All of these books were in print at the time Australian Book Traveller was published and should be easily found in a library or can be purchased from Homeschool Favourites.
Use Trove as a search engine for finding books in a library in Australia. If you are having trouble finding a book, alternative book suggestions are given.
Written Especially For Homeschool Children Ages 5-9
This resource is suitable for teaching one child or multiple children. The core travel books are aimed at children aged 5-9.
A One Room Schoolhouse Resource
You can include all of your primary children in the lessons.
Even your preschoolers will like it!
Your children can share in the delight of the story, locate places on the map and do their art lessons together.
Extension Resource For Older Children
For older primary children (aged 10-12) who want to participate we have optional extension book suggestions that correspond with the unit studies.
These books are longer than the travel books and can be used as a read alone text. They do not always fit the travel book perfectly but they are linked to the unit study in some way.
Whistle Stop Tour or One Year Trek
Complete Australian Book Traveller in 10 weeks or spread the lessons over a year.
You set the pace!
Add English and math lessons to your Travel Guide books and you can cover all your key learning areas for a week. How easy and enjoyable that will be!
For those who like to take their time, spread your Travel Book lessons over the year; spending time digging deeper into the lesson suggestions, following rabbit trials and reading through the extension readers.
You can even revisit at a later date!
“ohhhh I love it I love it I love it!!!!~!!!!!!!!”
Many mums have told me that this resource has been a delight to use.“Michelle, I love it. Makes me want to have little ones again! In fact, I may very well do it with Caleb, who is 12...just because we can and it is so good! I can easily adapt it to suit his age and development.” Susan Priolo aussiehomeschool.com
Try Before You Buy
Here is a literature unit study using Wombat Stew for you to try.
What do you get with Australian Book Traveller
- Australian Book Travel Guide ebook.
- One Australian Traveller’s Map (extra’s can be purchased separately)
This includes the travel guides, book lists, and map markers.
While book travelling through each location children will learn about states, territories, outback tracks, famous landmarks and more. As they read around Australia they place a map markers on their Australian Traveller's Map.
Main Reference Book
Australian Book Traveller uses Our Sunburnt Country as the main reference resource.
Purchase Australian Book Traveller & Our Sunburnt Country and receive a FREE Crowns of Fire
(An extension reader).*Slightly blemished stock
Travel Book List
- The Australia Book by Eve Pownall
- Nardika Learns to Make a Spear by Chris Fry (Just out of print but available in the library)
- Best Beak in Boonaroo Bay by Narelle Oliver
- Alexander's Outing by Pamela Allen
- A Year on Our Farm by Penny Matthews
- Tiger Tale by Steve and Marion Isham
- You and Me Murrawee by Kerri Hashimi
- My Grandad Marches on Anzac Day by Catriona Hoy
- Magic Boomerang by Mark Greenwood
- Are We There Yet? by Alison Lester
Extension Book List
My Place by Nadia Wheatley
The house that was built in a day-Anzac Cottage by Valerie Everett
I said nothing by Gary Crew
Crowns of Fire by Amy Mack
Farmer Schulz's Ducks by Colin Thiele
Papunya School Book by Nadia Wheatley
Walking through the Seasons in Kakadu by Diane Lucus
Rachel Tonkin books choose one; When I was a Kid, Papa and the Olden Days or To the Goldfields
Buy the Books from the Authors and Illustrators
Two of the books on our list can be bought directly from the Authors and Illustrators.
They have kindly agreed to allow you to buy the books postage free.
Tiger Tale by Steve and Marion Isham
Order your copy from Bandicoot Books and pay via Paypal.
Mention Downunder Literature and they will refund the postage
Magic Boomerang by Frane Lessac and Mark Greenwood
Order your copy from Artbeat Publishing and send them an email.
Mention Downunder Literature and they will give you free postage.