Bushfires in Australia – A Bibliography

Australians are generally conscious of the danger and destructive force of bushfires particularly after the disastrous fires of Black Summer that effected vast areas right across Australia. The coming summer is shaping up to be another fire-prone season with fires already burning in some States. It is important that all Australians no matter where they live are very aware of the precautions and preparations required to prepare for bushfires and also understand the warning levels.

There are many Australian children’s books written about bushfire, a number based on the author’s lived experience.  It has been the subject of books for decades for many reasons – danger, disaster, adventure, trauma, bravery, cooperation, empathy, helpfulness and kindness.  A number of books are told in an anthropomorphic style using bush animals to tell the story which can be a gentler, less overwhelming way to teach young children about the dangers of, and precautions needed in case of bushfire.

PICTURE BOOKS

CRAWFORD, Joanne. Illustrated by Grace Fielding
Bilby and the Bushfire. Magabala Books, 2007. ISBN: 9781921248306

CUMMINGS, Phil. Illustrated by Andrew McLean
Through the Smoke.  Scholastic Press, 2019. ISBN: 9781760274702

CUNNINGHAM, Sophie. Illustrated by Anil Tortop
Tippy and the Jellybean. The true story of a brave koala who saved her baby from a bushfire. Albert Street Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781760878474

FRENCH, Jackie. Illustrated by Bruce Whatley
Fire.  (Natural Disaster Picture Books series) Scholastic Press, 2014. ISBN: 9781742838175

FRENCH, Jackie. Illustrated by Danny Snell
The Fire Wombat. Angus & Robertson, 2020. ISBN: 9781460759332

GARDINER, Kelly. Illustrated by Jobi Murphy
Billabong Bill’s Bushfire Christmas. Random House, 2007. ISBN: 9781741662610

HANN SYME, Marguerite. Illustrated by David Cox.
Bushfire. Scholastic Press, 2000. ISBN: 1863889620

KING, Stephen Michael
Koala Ark. Scholastic Press, 2022. ISBN: 9781761128257

LENDIS, Celia. Illustrated by John Lendis
Postcards from the town that disappeared. Forest Education Foundation, Tasmania, 2004
ISBN: 0958537615

McMULLIN, Neridah. Illustrated by Andrew McLean
Fabish the horse that braved a bushfire. Allen & Unwin, 2016. ISBN: 9781925266836

McPICKLE, Nic. Illustrated by Nathaniel Eckstrom
Fire Truck Santa. Allen & Unwin, 2021. ISBN:9781760526894

MILLARD, Glenda. Illustrated by Stephen Michael King
Applesauce and the Christmas Miracle. ABC Books, 2008. ISBN: 9780733322495

MILLER, Geoffrey Hugh. Illustrated by Caroline Ambrus
The Bushfire Wind. Irrepressible Press, 2006. No ISBN

MOONE, Carly & MOONE, Seb
My Dad the Secret Superhero. Booktopia editions, 2020. ISBN: 9781925995190

OKOTOBER, Tricia
Bushfire. Hodder Children’s Books Australia, 1995. ISBN: 0733601154

WESTBROOK, Becky. Illustrated by Jet James
Evie and the bushfire. Stormbird Press, 2021. ISBN: 9781925856347

WESTSIDE Players. Illustrated by Bob Seal & Rosie Heritage
Bushfire. NSW Department of Bush Fire Services, 1991. ISBN: 0730587371

WILSON, Kate. Illustrated by Christine Cafarella Pearce
Black Saturday was my dad’s birthday. Kate Wilson, 2009. ISBN: 9780646524269

NOVELS

ALDOUS, Allan. Illustrated by Laszlo Acs
Bushfire. Brockhampton Press, 1967. ISBN: 0340040440

BLAKE, Bronwyn
Find me a river. Lothian Books, 2001. ISBN: 0734402619

D’ATH, Justin
Bushfire Rescue. (Extreme Adventure series). Puffin Books, 2005. ISBN: 0143302205

FRENCH, Jackie
Facing the Flame. Angus & Robertson, 2017 ISBN: 9781460753200

HEFFERNAN, John
Where there’s smoke. Omnibus Books, 2010. ISBN: 9781862918665

McGUIRE, Tracey. Illustrated by Bill Wood
It’s true: A bushfire burned my dunny down. Allen & Unwin, 2004. ISBN:1741143039

McKENZIE, Nean
Timefire.  MidnightSun Publishing, 2023. ISBN: 9781922858030

MELLOR, Elizabeth
Bushfire. The Awakening Network, 2010. ISBN: 9780646528915

MURPHY, Sally
Bushfire. Surviving Black Saturday. Omnibus Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781742994307

PANCKRIDGE, Michael & HARVEY, Pam
Into the fire. Angus & Robertson, 2008. ISBN: 97802-7200618

SOUTHALL, Ivan. Illustrated by Clem Seale
Ash Road. Angus & Robertson, 1965. ISBN: 0207946299
Winner 1966 CBCA Book of the Year.
NCACL holds over 15 translations of this title.

THIELE, Colin
February Dragon. Rigby Opal Books, 1965. ISBN: 0851798276
Highly Commended 1966 CBCA Book of the Year Awards
Translated into French.

NON-FICTION

The Bushfire Book. How to be aware and prepare. Polly Marsden, Text.  Illustrated by Chris Nixon. Lothian Children’s Books, 2020. ISBN: 9780734420077

LESLEY, John
Bushfires in Australia. Redback Publishing, 2020. ISBN: 9781922322463

MILLER, Kylie & SHEATHER, Craig. Illustrated by Karen Eramus.
Heroes of Black Summer. Australian Geographic, 2021. ISBN: 9781922388391

Natural Disasters in Australia. Peter Turner, Text. Illustrations by Redback Publishing. Redback Publishing, 2020. ISBN: 9781922322005

STEFFENSEN, Victor. Illustrated by Sandra Steffensen
Looking after Country with fire:  Aboriginal burning knowledge with Uncle Kuu. Hardie Grant Explore, 2022. ISBN: 9781741177824

 

Posted by: NCACL | Published: 13 Nov 2023