WELCOME TO AUSTRALIAN USED HOMESCHOOL BOOKS!
AUSTRALIANA NON-FICTION - EXPLORERS
The Crossing Of The Blue Mountains (Alan Boardman & Roland Harvey) $6 PB EC Wonderful cartoons illustrate the tale of these famous explorers. Kids absolutely LOVE this series! 6-11 Highly recommended! https://products.schools.nsw.edu.au/prc/booklist/listBooksByGenre.html?genreId=3&levelId=2
Explorers Of Australia (John Nicholson) $6 HB EC, $5 PB VGC An account of how Aborigines, Macassans and Europeans came to Australia, how they charted the coastline, and the adventures of those who explored the inland. The text examines when, where, why and how they travelled, and how the character and outlook of different explorers affected their success. A very well laid out book with lovely illustrations, maps and clear, interesting text about early sea discoveries and our inland explorers. A good all round coverage of Australia’s exploration. Great illustrations. Recommended! Great author! 9+ http://www.amazon.com/Explorers-Australia-John-Nicholson/dp/1864481005
Explorers Of Australia “The Search For Farmland – Australian Exploration From 1813 - 1836” (John & Jennifer Barwick) $5 HB VGC (Ex lib) From the journeys by George Evans west of Bathurst to the settlement of South Australia, exploration of Australia's interior in search of land for agriculture is discussed. The search for an inland sea and tracing where the rivers ran is covered. Explorers discussed include: John Oxley, Charles Sturt, John Batman, William Hovell, Hamilton Hume, Sir Thomas Mitchell, Sir James Stirling, Allan Cunningham, George William Evans and more. Well-written and well laid out, presenting an attractive appearance with its colourful framing and illustrations. Information is accurate and made as interesting as possible for the young student, with extracts from journals and relevant snippets in text boxes. References to Aborigines are appropriate. Contents, index, timeline, glossary and bibliography are further aids to speedy access. 10+
Cassell’s Adventure Series “Australian Explorers” $4 HBDJ VGC A collection of chapters from Australia’s leading writers tell the story of the the impassable barrier of the Blue Mountains; trouble on the Murray; Eyre’s epic journey, the folly of Leichardt; Kennedy’s fatal trek; the last days of Burke and Wills and many more. Wonderful illustrations by Peter Cuffley enhance this fantastic book! 8+
Australian Explorers: Unlocking The Great South Land (Robert Coupe) $5 PB EC, $3 PB GC (Scribble on a few pages) Australian Explorers covers the exploits of Australia’s most memorable land and sea explorers. After an introduction to set the scene, each chapter focuses on the achievements of individual explorers, relating the triumphs, defeats and hardships of their pioneering adventures. A high quality resource jam-packed with interesting illustrations and maps. 12+ http://www.homesick.com.au/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=1484
Shaping Australia “Exploration And Expansion” (John & Jennifer Barwick) $4 HB EC (Ex lib) Outlines the journeys made by explorers in the early years of British settlement and discusses the significance of their discoveries for European settlers and Aboriginal people. Copiously illustrated. Includes a time line, glossary, suggestions for further reading and an index. 10+
Australian Library “Australia’s Explorers” (Jennifer Russell) $4 HB VGC (Ex lib) This full-colour book clearly and comprehensively examines the history of the early explorers of Australia and take students on a fascinating journey back in time. Looks at the exploration of Cook; Bass and Flinders; Blaxland, Lawson, Wentworth; Hume and Hovell; Sturt; Eyre; Burke and Wills and others. Wonderful layout with many original and new illustrations, maps, timeline, glossary and index. 9-12 YO
Focus On Australia “Explorers” (Michael Dugan) $4 HB VGC (Ex lib) As farms and other settlements were established along the coastline, more and more land was needed. Tells us of the adventurous Australians who set out to conquer harsh and unknown territories. It describes their routes and discoveries, as well as the methods used in their exploration. Great layout with lots of original artwork as well as photos. Includes an index, glossary and timeline. 8-12 YO Highly recommended!
Discoverers Of Australia (Alf & Shirley Sampson) $4 HB VGC Looks at the early sea explorers, Duth and English, as well as the major land explorers such as Oxley, Hume and Hovell, Sturt, Stirling, Mitchell, Grey, Eyre, Leichardt, Kennedy, Forrest, Giles, Gregory and many more. Illustrated with many original paintings and engravings, a good general resource on the explorers. 9+
Golden Stamp Book “Australian Explorers” $1 PB GC A handy resource with a simple introduction to the main explorers of Australia. A good starting point for the young historian. 6-10 YO
Explorers of Australia “Coasts and Mountains: Australian Exploration from 1770 to 1830” (John & Jennifer Barwick) $5 HB EC (Ex lib) When the first European settlers arrived in Australia, they knew very little about their new land. Explorers were sent to investigate the land surrounding the new settlements, and to chart the parts of the coast that were still unknown to them. Outlines the exploration up to early 1800s including crossing of Blue Mountains, circumnavigation of the continent and the explorers Bass and Flinders and Blaxland, Wentworth, Lawson. Detailed maps showing each explorer’s route and journal entries giving the explorers’ own accounts of their experiences. Detailed maps showing each explorer’s route and journal entries giving the explorers’ own accounts of their experiences. Great layout and illustrations. 9+
Livewire Real Lives “William Charles Wentworth” ((Lynn Booth) $4 PB VGC (Ex lib) This book tells the story of the great explorer and politician William Charles Wentworth. It has many photographs related to his life and his exploration. Contents: 1 'Australia's Greatest Son'; 2 Wentworth's Family; 3 The Young Wentworth; 4 Over the Blue Mountains; 5 Back to England; 6 Public Life; 7 The Colony in the 1840's; 8 Founding Sydney University; 9 The Final Years 8-11 YO
Hodder Australia “Thomas Mitchell” (Carol Odell) $3 PB EC A great leader of men, Sir Thomas Mitchell, the Surveyor General of New South Wales from 1828-1855, led three great expeditions of discovery into the unknown interior of Australia. His discoveries opened up valuable land for future settlement. Great illustrations and easy text. 8-11 YO
The Voyages Of Matthew Flinders (Max Colwell) $4 HB GC Great pictures, story-like text Mathew Flinders at no time suffered any delusions about his chosen career of explorer, even when contemplating his first venture along the New South Wales coast in an eight foot boat with George Bass, he realized that the ability to make the best use of equipment was a necessary skill of the explorer. 9+ http://www.trademe.co.nz/Books/Nonfiction/Biography/Other/auction-135247019.htm
Bass And Flinders (Cathy Dodson, illustrator Roland Harvey) $6 HB VGC (Ex lib), $5 PB GC In 1795, because the coastline had not been fully explored, there was uncertainty about whether the eastern side, New South Wales was part of the western side, New Holland, or whether Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) was part of the mainland. It was up to a pair of young adventurers, George Bass and Matthew Flinders, to solve these mysteries. Wonderful illustrations make the history of Australia come alive! Kids absolutely LOVE this series! 6-11 YO Highly recommended! http://www.bookworm.com.au/shop/scditem.asp?ProdID=15106
Explorers of Australia in their Own Words “Searching for an Inland Sea” (Nicolas Brasch) $5 HB EC (Ex lib – RRP $29.95) During the first half of the 1800s, many people shared the belief that a huge inland sea existed in the centre of the Australian continent. To search for this sea was the aim of expeditions led by John Oxley, Charles Sturt and Edward Eyre. None were successful in finding what did not exist, but contributed to mapping unknown lands. Ages 8+ http://collinsbooks.com.au/featuredbook1.asp?StoreURL=collinsbooks&bookid=9781740702867&db=CO
Explorers of Australia in their Own Words “Leichhardt & Stuart” (Nicolas Brasch) $5 HB EC (Ex lib – RRP $29.95) Leichhardt & Stuart shared a dream in the 1800s - to be the first Europeans to cross the Australian continent. Ludwig Leichhardt attempted to travel from east to west, while John Stuart favoured a south-north route. Both experienced terrible trials, one was successful; the other disappeared into the outback... 8+ http://www.emporiumbooks.com.au/book/leichhardt-and-stuart.do
Explorers of Australia “The Deserts and Beyond: Australian Exploration after 1840” (John & Jennifer Barwick) $5 HB EC (Ex lib) Australia’s deserts were the last areas of the country to be explored. This book tells the stories of explorers like Eyre, Leichhardt, Sturt, Kennedy, Stuart, Burke and Wills, Forrest and Warburton, who braved the very harsh conditions to venture into the interior of the continent. Whether searching for an inland sea, looking for stock routes across the country, or racing to be the first to cross the continent from south to north, they each added to our understanding of the part of our country. Detailed maps showing each explorer’s route and journal entries giving the explorers’ own accounts of their experiences. Wonderful layout with many original and new illustrations, maps, timeline, glossary and index. 9+
Sand Swimmers: The Secret Life of Australia’s Dead Heart (Narelle Oliver) $6 HB EC (Ex lib) Follows footsteps of explorer Charles Sturt, for a closer look at the creatures and their ingenious methods of survival in this unique Australian desert habitat. Through beautiful, linocut illustrations, we revisit those hostile desertscapes. Thoroughly recommended! 6-10 YO http://www.narelleoliver.com/Projects.aspx?page=publications&id=20
Australian Explorers “Edward John Eyre” $5 HB BRAND NEW, $3 HB GC (Ex lib) Lovely artwork abounds as well as an interesting, story-like text covering Mitchell’s early life, his arrival in Sydney Town with his wife and three children and his discovery of the Darling River. Contains a map, glossary and index. 9+
The Riddle Of The Rivers (Anne Price) $2 HB GC Tells the story of Charles Sturt and his exploration of the Murrumbidgee River and the Murray. Great paintings with a simple text for younger children . 6-10 YO
Australia in History “Mr. Burke & Mr. Wills: Epic Journey to a Lonely Death” (Geoff Hosking) $5 PB EC (Ex lib) The nineteenth century was the great age of exploration. In Australia, exploration parties criss-crossed the harsh interior of the continent in search of glory; some opened up valuable new land for grazing and development, others simply got lost. This really good book tells the story of the epic journey taken by Robert O'Hara Burke, companion William Wills and their party as they trekked through the sun-bleached desert to the mangrove swamps of the Gulf of Carpentaria. It was through a series of mishaps and poor planning that Burke and Wills died on their return journey. Their 'heroic' deaths sent the colony into mourning, which lasted until their remains were finally recovered and laid to rest in Melbourne. Wonderful format with lots of illustrations and maps. 10+ http://www.booktopia.com.au/mr-burke-and-mr-wills/prod9781741244571.html#
Burke and Wills: Heroes or Fools? (Barrie Sheppard) $4 HB EC (Ex lib) In 1861, Burke and Wills became the first non-Aboriginal people to cross Australia from south to north. They are remembered for this amazing feat of endurance. But they did not survive - they died on the return journey after reaching the mangrove swamps of the coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Were they heroic explorers? Or did foolish choices and poor leadership turn their expedition into a disaster that could have been avoided? Read about what happened to them and see what you think. 9-12 YO http://covers.booktopia.com.au/978174/070/9781740708142.jpg
The Journey Of Burke And Wills (Max Colwell) $4 HB VGC A large picture book with great pictures and story-like text, similar to an old style boys adventure classic. Covers the planning, events and outcomes of the fatal expedition to discover a route to the top end of Australia and see if there was an inland sea. Recommended! 8+
Partners In Disaster: The Story Of Burke And Wills (David Corke) $3 PB VGC In 1979 Preshil School students organised an expedition to follow the steps of Burke and Wills from Melbourne to Cooper’s Creek. The author, David Corke, accompanied the group and saw for the first time the magnificent waterholes and the ‘DIG’ tree which were a central part of the Burke and Wills drama. Along with photographs of actual pencilled notes, maps and pages from field books executed by the explorers themselves, these photos bring the explorer’s activities and story to life. 9+ Recommended!
Burke And Wills (Roland Harvey) $7 HB VGC, $6 PB EC Wonderful cartoons illustrate the tale of these famous explorers. SHORT-LISTED FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CHILDREN’S BOOK COUNCIL JUNIOR BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD; WINNER OF THE CLIFTON PUGH AWARD. Kids absolutely LOVE this series! 6-11 Highly recommended! http://www.oztion.com.au/vshops/item.aspx?itemid=2917108&shopid=123&tid=
The Incredible Outback Adventure Of Burke & Wills (Frank Clune) $3 HB EC A great picture book with a gripping story to enlighten our children on the trials and hardships encountered in the name of exploration of our country. Wonderful paintings bring history alive! 8+
(Last update March, 2011)
