IN THE BUSH

In this companion to the equally rollicking At the Beach (May 2006), Harvey takes a family of vacationers into the far-from-deserted outback. Entering a set of hilly landscapes swarming with groups of ant-sized figures—each individually drawn and busily occupied in some activity or misadventure—Henry, Penny, Mum, Dad and little Frankie in turn provide chatty commentary as they wait in a traffic jam for wombats to cross the road, make camp amidst a crowd, explore a cave, swim, ride horses, enjoy a sudden snowfall and finally gather around a campfire for some creative theater. Along with all the activity, sharp-eyed children will be left thoroughly primed for road trips of their own by additional glimpses of kangaroos and other wildlife, dragons, a spaceship, the odd severed limb and other sights. Off drive the narrators the next morning, sharing their favorite parts and inviting readers to add others—which will be hard to pick. (endpaper maps) (Picture book. 5-8)