Lazy Bottersnikes in outback rubbish tips, Sir Pronoun’s dilemma about standing in Miss Noun’s place and the story of how Jack built a house, a hut or a shack are all to be found in this treasury of Australian children’s books. Exploring everything from schooldays to fantasy worlds, from its nineteenth century beginnings to the twenty-first century, this book is remarkable for its breadth of coverage, encouraging new ways of seeing the Australian child’s literary history. Bottersnikes, Gumbles and Zookies: A Treasury of Australian Children’s Literature is beautifully illustrated and includes works from some of Australia’s best known and loved writers and illustrators: Mem Fox and Patricia Mullins, Bob Graham, Libby Hathorn and Gregory Rogers, Gary Crew and Shaun Tan, Pamela Allen and old favourites such as May Gibbs and Ida Rentoul Outhwaite. This book illuminates the icons of Australian children’s literature, and is a wonderful collection for those passionate about children’s books.