Echidnas, koalas and kangaroos, oh my! You’ll find all of these super cool and slightly unusual animals in this list of the best picture books about Australian animals – there’s a platypus, emus and wombats too!
RELATED: Be sure to also check out our list of 50+ of the best Australian picture books by our favourite Australian authors.
Best Picture Books About Australian Animals
For more information about the titles listed below, each is linked to an online bookstore page where you can find reviews and age recommendations for titles you are unfamiliar with (these are affiliate links).
Picture Books About Koalas
Koalas Eat Gum Leaves by Laura Bunting  Koalas eat gum leaves. A LOT of gum leaves. A cautionary tale exploring what happens when one little koala decides he wants something else…maybe ice cream???! Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Don’t Call Me Bear by Aaron Blabey  Koala is sick of being called the wrong thing. Koalas are NOT bears, and it is time that everyone knows it! With hysterical text, wacky illustrations and non-fiction facts woven throughout, this koala is out to prove that despite the fur, he’s definitely not a bear. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Top Koala by Jackie French  This koala just has to be on top! From the top of the tallest tree to the top of the flagpole outside Parliament House in Canberra, in this fun, rhyming picture book, this koala travels around Australia and tops it all! Available: The Book Depository |
The Koala Who Could by Rachel Bright  Kevin the koala likes to keep things the same. But sometimes change comes along whether we like it or not and, as Kevin discovers, if you step outside your comfort zone and try new things, you might just surprise yourself! Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Koala Lou by Mem Fox  Koala Lou loves to hear her mama say, “Koala Lou, I DO love you!” But when life gets busy she misses their special connection and comes up with a plan to win back her mama’s love and hear the special words again. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
List continues below.
Picture Books About Kangaroos
Kangaroos Hop by Ros Moriarty  A sweet, cumulative chant featuring Australian animals. A wonderful first introduction to Australian animals for toddlers. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
How the Kangaroos Got Their Tails by Pamela Lofts  A traditional Dreamtime story shared by George Mung Mung Lirrmiyarri, of the Kija people, to Aboriginal people living in Warmun (Turkey Creek), Western Australia. Available: The Book Depository |
Big Red Kangaroo by Claire Saxby  The sun floats on the waves of a bake-earth day, Big Red and his mob of kangaroos wait for night-time when they can search for food. This beautifully illustrated title from the narrative nonfiction series, Nature Storybooks, includes interesting facts alongside an engaging story and stunning illustrations. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Josephine Wants to Dance by Jackie French  Josephine loves to dance. She dreams of wearing a pink tutu and silk ballet shoes. But everyone reminds her that kangaroos don’t dance—they hop! But on the day of the ballet performance, Josephine may just be able to make her dream come true. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Malu Kangaroo by Judith Morecraft  Malu Kangaroo, a kangaroo spirit, carves a piece of wood and takes it to some children playing on a beach in this modern myth about how people first learnt to surf. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
List continues below.
Picture Books About Wombats
The Fire Wombat by Jackie French  As the flames of a bushfire approach, one small wombat shelters with other animals in her burrow. But that is just the beginning of their journey to safety. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Wombat Stew by Marcia Vaughan  A dingo catches a wombat and begins to make wombat stew but he receives some rather unusual cooking suggestions from the other bush animals, unaware that they are protecting their friend wombat. Available: The Book Depository |
Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French  A funny look into the daily life of a very Australian animal! The books in the wombat series are brief, humorous and very entertaining! Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Wombat Divine by Mem Fox  Wombat has always dreamed of being in the Nativity play. Now he is old enough to audition but will their be a part for Wombat?? A fabulous addition to your Christmas book collection. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
One Woolly Wombat by Kerry Argent  A fun counting book filled with dancing kangaroos, koalas sipping gumnut tea, goannas creating havoc in the kitchen and kookaburras writing with old-fashioned fountain pens! Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Wombat by Philip Bunting  A fun, simple book of word play with wombats! Sure to make your child laugh. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Swim, Little Wombat, Swim! by Charles Fuge  One day, out in the forest, Little Wombat encounters Platypus and is instantly drawn to the curious critter’s squeaky voice, unusual face, and waddling way of walking. It turns out that Platypus is also an excellent swimmer and teacher but can Wombat actually learn to swim? Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
List continues below.
Picture Books About Australian Birds
Kookaburra Kookaburra by Bridget Farmer  A gorgeous, poetic first introduction to a range of Australian animals. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Kookaburra by Claire Saxby  A beautifully illustrated title from the narrative nonfiction series, Nature Storybooks, Kookaburra provides wonderful insight into the life of these iconic Australian birds. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
How the Birds Got Their Colours by Pamela Lofts  Based on a story told by Mary Albert of the Bardi people, to Aboriginal children living in Western Australia, this fabulous traditional tale shares an Aboriginal origin story of how the birds of the world got their colours. Available: The Book Depository |
Backyard Birds by Helen Milroy  From laughing kookaburras to prancing mudlarks, dancing wily wagtails to hungry galahs, Backyard Birds uses simple prose and bright, vibrant illustrations to introduce the native birds of Australia. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Edward the Emu by Sheena Knowles  When Edward the Emu tires of life as an emu he decides to try out the lifestyles of other animals in the zoo! Ultimately, Edward discovers that being an emu really is the best thing for Edward after all. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Edwina the Emu by Sheena Knowles  New parents Edward and Edwina are stunned to find themselves parents to ten little emu eggs. “Don’t get depressed. I’ll find a job, you stay on the nest,” says Edwina, and she sets off on a very humorous journey to find a job Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Emu by Claire Saxby  In the open forest, Emu gathers his granite-green eggs under soft feathers. Emu will care for the eggs and protect the stripy chicks from the dangers in the forest. A title from the narrative nonfiction series, Nature Storybooks. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Waddle Giggle Gargle! by Pamela Allen  This is such a fun story about one family’s struggle with a boisterous, swooping, waddling, giggling, gargling magpie! Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
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Picture Books About Echidnas
Millie Loves Ants by Jackie French  A sweet story about a young girl’s fascination with an echidna in pursuit of ants. Fabulous illustrations and rhyming prose combine to make this a wonderful story about a rather curious creature! Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
The Echidna and the Shade Tree by Pamela Lofts  A wonderful Dreamtime story that explains how the Echidna got its spikes on his back, how it came to eat ants and why it walks awkwardly. Available: The Book Depository |
Polka Dot Float by Maryanne O’Flynn  Polka Dot wishes she could swim but is disappoint to discover that all she can do is float! Until a bushfire threatens her home and friends and Polka Dot’s newfound skill saves the day. Available: The Book Depository |
List continues below.
More Books About Australian Animals
Pugsley Platypus by Jessica Keating  Pugsley Platypus has a big dream – he wants to live in the ocean! His friends warn him against his adventure, but Pugsley is determined. A fun adventure about resilience, self-belief and finding where you belong. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Bitsy by Nicki Greenberg  Bitsy the bat is restless, brave, and bored and decides to go exploring during the daytime, wile all of the other bats are asleep. She befriends a numbat and they have a wonderful time exploring in this story of adventure, exploration and friendship. Available: The Book Depository |
Possum Magic by Mem Fox  Grandma Poss uses her bush magic to make Hush invisible but when Hush wishes to see herself again, the two possums make their way across Australia to find the magic food that will make Hush visible once more. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Clancy the Quokka by Lili Wilkinson  Clancy the quokka is super cute but also has a cheeky habit of raiding picnic food! When he spots a magnificent birthday cake, how can he resist? After mayhem ensues, will Clancy learn his lesson? Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Somewhere in Australia by Marcello Pennacchio  A fun Australian animal counting book based on the classic rhyme ‘Over in the Meadow’. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Kangaroo and Crocodile: My Big Book of Australian Animals by Bronwyn Bancroft  Not so much a story as a visually stunning introduction to Australian animals for the youngest book lovers. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
A is for Australian Animals: A Factastic Tour by Frane Lessac  What animal has six thumbs? What animal produces square poo? Discover the answers to these questions and more in this factastic tour of Australian animals. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
The Australian Animal Atlas by Leonard Cronin  A wonderfully detailed walk through different Australian habitats on the hunt for the mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and insects that live there. Filled with fascinating facts and excellent illustrations. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
For more picture books for kids, be sure to check out our entire Best Books for Kids collection of themed booklists.
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