The author encapsulates the physical uniqueness of Australia, an island country and the smallest continent on earth, in a 32-page format. The youngest readers will enjoy Australia's physical geography—from the outback to the Great Barrier Reef—as well as its fascinating animals, including the kangaroo and the platypus. Although brief, the simple text, which contains a "Words to Know" section at the end, entices further exploration of the fascinating country "downunder." Well-chosen photographs capture the diversity of Australia's climate, ranging from the cool mountains of Tasmania to the tropical coral reefs to the dryness of the outback. Photographs of the cities of Sydney and Melbourne are provided but the cultural geography—from the native aborigines to the Anglo-Irish settlers to more recent immigrants—is not explored in this book. Other books in the "Rookie Read-About Geography" series include Antarctica, The Mississippi River and Living in a Rain Forest. 2001, Children's Press/Grolier, $19.00. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer:Valerie O. Patterson