Isolde Martyn’s use of an Australian inland town in which to map our history is both interesting and pertinent and while the town itself is imaginary, the picture book’s text draws on the experiences of many real communities. The country town is a place where wider issues are distilled into basic beliefs and behaviours. Her book Country Town creates an excellent and valuable reference for teachers of Stage 2 and Stage 3 History, incorporating an essential First Nations perspective provided by co-author Robyn Ridgeway. The information is concise and inclusive, peppered with engaging questions that create a thinking path for exploring main ideas and changes in our history.

Louise Hogan’s beautiful and detailed illustrations from a bird’s eye view, invite young readers to consider, compare and connect our history through a wider lens. Changes in social attitudes and understandings, technologies and practices are presented that acknowledge the past and place them in country life.

Country Town is a treasure trove of discovery for readers, mapping a sweep of historical changes in Australia via a rural context.

Reviewed by Donna Gibbs