Reviews

Gr 4-6-- This book focuses on Australia's emerging multicultural society and the revitalized interest in native cultures. Topics include geography, history, language, the arts, food, and leisure activities. A chapter on festivals includes Sydney's Gay Mardi Gras and Darwin's Beer Can Regatta, topics that may be a bit sophisticated for intended readers. Full-color photographs are abundant and well placed, and occasional charts and insets provide supplemental details about related subjects. A map, a quick-facts chart, and an inadequate index are appended. One major error is the statement that Australia has three internal territories, including Jervis Bay Territory, which is never identified or located on the map. Jervis Bay is actually a detached portion of the Australian Capital Territory, not a separate political entity. Collections needing more diversified information will find it here, but patrons will be better served by Dan Garrett's Australia (Steck-Vaughn, 1990). --Jeanette Larson, Texas State Library, Austin