In Fauna - Australia’s Most Curious Creatures, readers are constantly introduced to facts that delight, amaze and induce sheer wonder at the clever design and adaptability of our much-loved native fauna.

The information on each individual species is presented in small ‘bites’ to hold the interest of younger readers, while the information taken in total gives a comprehensive summary of each species, including breeding and feeding habits, physical characteristics, habitat and other unique and quirky features.

Fauna also has a strong conservation message with an ‘extinction roll call’ and a rating for the vulnerability of endangered species.

The stylised illustrations in Fauna are lively, colourful and informative, highlighting facts that lend themselves more to pictures than words e.g. the actual size of crocodile teeth, or the mechanics of the echidna’s beak. There is also humour in the illustrations – is that kangaroo with dark glasses actually from a different kind of mob?

Readers young and old will be delighted and informed by Fauna.

Age range 5+

Awards

• Winner: 2020 Museums Australasia Multimedia and Publication Design Award (children's book)
• Winner: 2020 ACT Writing and Publishing Awards
• Shortlisted: 2020 Educational Publishing Awards Australia
• Shortlisted: 2020 Environment Award for Children's Literature, The Wilderness Society
• Longlisted: 2020 World Illustration Awards (children's books)
• Longlisted: 2020 Australian Book Design Awards (children's non-fiction)
• Longlisted: 2019 Booktopia Australian Book of the Year (children's non-fiction)

About the author

Tania McCartney is an author, illustrator and editor with over 30 years of experience in publishing.

She has many titles to her name, including I Heart the World, Mamie, Merry Everything,  Australia: An Illustrated Map, and Fauna: Australia's Most Curious Plants.

Tania is a passionate advocate for increasing children’s literacy and is the founder of Kids Book Review and was an ambassador for the National Year of Reading 2012.

Tania has received many awards and commendations for individual publications, but also for her broader contribution to the sector, including the Laurie Copping Award for Distinguished Service to Children’s Literature (CBCA ACT) in 2017.