Fire, everyone’s nightmare if not contained in a fireplace, is something Australians are all too familiar with, and this moving picture book hauntingly conveys the sheer immensity of bushfire. The succinct urgency of the verse captures the spark that ignites the landscape in all its terrifying ferocity and the atmospheric pictures bring it all to life.

While bush and properties are destroyed by nature, it is the unwavering courage of the firefighters and the preciousness of our loved ones that is quietly championed. And then, nature, which took so much away, will slowly give back and new growth will appear among the blackness, and birds, animals and hope will return. This book captures it all brilliantly.

For ages 5 and up.

Alexa Dretzke