What’s that: Australian frogs, toads and newts by Myke Mollard

Woodlane Press produces field guides and books for travellers, books about facets of our environment, books for cyclists and family adventures, all produced with stunning photos and illustrations. All of their books empower families, groups and individuals to explore, understand and value the land on which they travel.

As with the other three in the series, the introductory pages outline the definition of an amphibian and then divides these creatures into three categories, each having a signature colour. The three are: Australian frogs, Critically endangered and extinct frogs, and Introduced species. A page is devoted to each of many frogs; Rock hole frogs, Quaking froglets, Sandhill frogs, Pobblebonks, Green tree frogs and Striped Marsh frogs, amongst others. Each page has a map to show where the frog lives, many fact boxes and an introductory paragraph giving information about the frog and its attributes.

Five double pages follow with information about endangered species, and the last section about introduced species, gives information about the Cane toad and Smooth newts.

The book is fascinating, giving information about frogs that can mainly be heard and not as often seen. The illustrations give an image of the animals, and readers can deduce some information about its environment, from the picture in front of them. That there are 240 different species of amphibian, is enough for all readers to want to find out more.

Themes: Frogs, Introduced species.

Fran Knight