The Koala from Koala Bare is back in Jackie French and Matt Shanks newest heart warming picture book all about being the best.

This cheeky koala always wants to be the at the top – and in fact, he informs us how much higher he can get than every other animal in the animal kingdom – from possums to wombats, and kangaroos to whales.

There really isn’t much that Jackie French can’t do, and this story is a classic simple story about a cheeky koala bear. It is heart warming and funny and uniquely Australia. An enjoyable read that will suit young and older audiences – the sparse text and easy to follow story will especially suit young ones who can’t sit still for very long.

The illustrations by Matt Shanks are wonderful and super sweet. My 18 month old sons favourite page is the one above – about the football. He always opens it to this page and will point out over and over again that there is a ball in the picture.

All the Australian animals are well portrayed, and I love the little quirky detail of having the floating eye, that doesn’t quite sit on most of the animals faces.

A great Aussie book that will suit just about everyone!

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Title: Top Koala

Author & Illustrator: Jackie French & Matt Shanks

Publisher: Angus & Robertson (imprint of HarperCollins Children’s Books)

Published: 2019

Ages: 3-6