ALA Booklist (Tue Mar 01 00:00:00 CST 2011)

With a fluid text and lively illustrations, this picture book introduces 10 Australian animals: saltwater crocodiles, wallabies, koalas, platypuses, rainbow lorikeets, wombats, sugar gliders, brolgas, bilbies, and emus. Many writers have used the structure, rhythm, and rhyme scheme of the traditional rhyme Over in the Meadow as a vehicle for similar topics, but few have adapted it as successfully as Berkes. Varied effects of painted, printed, and textured elements enhance Dubin's vibrant collages of cut and torn papers. The first 10 double-page spreads focus on the animal mothers and their babies; the next locates each species on a map of Australia and challenges children to go back and search for the other creatures hidden in the pictures. The book concludes with facts about all the Australian animals shown, a brief bibliography, ideas for activities, and the traditional tune for Over in the Meadow. A great choice for classroom units on Australia.

Horn Book (Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2011)

Over in Australia / Looking like a kangaroo / Lived a smaller wallaby / And her little joeys two.

Kirkus Reviews

Berkes continues her series of wildlife books based on the popular tune "Over in the Meadow" with this work highlighting Australian animals and habitats (Over in the Arctic, 2008, etc.). Counting from one to 10, animals range from familiar koalas to the endangered, lesser-known bilby. Proper terms for offspring are italicized, while numbers are spotlighted with colored text, giving the song a decidedly informative feel. Also contributing to the educational element is the punchy vocabulary. How does a bilby behave? They " 'Slurp,' said the mother. / 'We slurp,' said the nine. / So they slurped and they burped / In a sandy place to dine." Brightly patterned and richly textured collage illustrations depict creatures in scenes that reflect their natural surroundings. Readers will greatly enjoy singing the tune as they learn about each animal. Extensive backmatter provides even more information about Australian wildlife, including animals hidden on every double-page spread that readers are encouraged to go back and find. The "Fact or Fiction" section describes what liberties the author took depicting the different animal families. Also included are educational and creative ideas from both author and illustrator, a simple, illustrated map, print and Internet resources as well as music, lyrics and chords for "Over in Australia." (Informational picture book. 3-9)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Why shouldn't the meadow in the nursery rhyme ""Over in the Meadow"" be in Australia? Berkes recasts the song to introduce readers to counting, Australian animals, and the names of their young (""Over in Australia/ Looking like a kangaroo/ Lived a smaller wallaby/ And her little joeys two""). Dubin's lively collages feature textured papers, with pencil and crayon providing extra detail for the animals. Add musical notation for the song as well as detailed information about the 10 featured animals (plus 10 more hidden throughout the spreads), and it's a remarkably layered and entertaining trip to the land of Oz. Ages 3%E2%80%938. (Mar.)

School Library Journal (Wed Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2011)

PreS-Gr 2 Berkes incorporates some of Australia's unique animals in her latest variant of the familiar song, "Over in the Meadow." Among them are wallabies, brolgas, lorikeets, wombats, and bilbies. Each spread provides listeners with a number of baby animals to count in the cumulative verse. A final map of Australia incorporates all of the creatures for additional practice. Dubin's charming paper collages deftly use a variety of patterns plus a bonus "hidden" animal noted on one of the informative pages after the song text. That section also includes more facts about all the mentioned animals, offers suggestions for class activities, explains Dubin's illustration process, and provides the score for those unfamiliar with the tune. A useful supplement for a variety of curriculum areas and a pleasant read just for fun. Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato