Outback Odyssey (Adventures of Riley Series) »

Riley, Cousin Alice, Aunt Martha, and Uncle Max visit the Australian Outback where they research the local koala population, which has scattered and shrunk due to increased drought, brush fires, and farming in the Outback. While staying at a working sheep station, they see kangaroos, a platypus, Ayers Rock, and much more. Riley becomes an official Jackaroo (Australian cowboy) and helps save the sheep from a wild dingo, but can he find a way to save the koalas and the Outback?

Children's Literature

A mixture of realistic photos and brightly colored illustrations fill the pages of this picture book, part of the "Adventures of Riley" series. Riley is off to the Australian Outback with his Uncle Max, a famous conservation biologist, and cousin Alice in an attempt to save the koala population. They will meet Aunt Martha who is already in Australia. Aunt Martha flies the plane taking the group to meet cousin Oscar on his sheep station. Each two-page spread features a boxed scientific fact from a different scientist next to the story's action. For example, Dr. Christine Sheppard, curator, Ornithology, Bronx Zoo, Wildlife Conservation Society, provides information about Kookaburras, while the characters are seated on the front porch of the sheep station next to the fact box. Informative zoological and environmental facts are interspersed naturally throughout the text. Readers four to six years old will enjoy following Riley's Australian outback adventure; however, it may be a bit long for most. Older readers may take the time to read the scientific fact boxes and enjoy Riley's adventure as a "jackaroo." There is a "Glossary" and a "Further Information" section in the back matter. Riley has also included an educational website and a "super kids' club." Reviewer: Debra Lampert-Rudman