The Book Next Door

Capital Cities of Australia is an easy-read, non-fiction title for adult and young adult English language learners in Australia.

It is part of a new paperback series, ‘Read about Australia’, which was requested by librarians.

The level is elementary/post beginner, but the books can be read by confident beginners. Each section has a full colour photograph of a city, and begins with the question, “Where am I?” plus some clues. When learners turn the page, they get the answer, with another spread and photos describing the capital city. 

The layout is designed for new migrants who are still dealing with the challenges of reading in a new language – and maybe a new script and new reading direction.

The back page has a link to online audio. Learners can also download fun worksheets to extend the learning experience at thebooknextdoor.com/Australia

These books are available from Australian language bookshops and library suppliers, and on Amazon worldwide. ISBN 9781922191809. You can see sample pages here.

Outback Australia is an easy-read, non-fiction title for adult and young adult English language learners in Australia.

It is part of a new EAL series, ‘Read about Australia’, which was requested by librarians.

The level is elementary/post beginner, but the books can be read by confident beginners. Each spread has a full colour photograph, and begins with a question, answered in a few paragraphs of spacious literacy-style text. What is a road train? What is a station? What is a shire? You can see sample pages here.

The layout is designed for new migrants who are still dealing with the challenges of reading in a new language – and maybe a new script and new reading direction. Trialling suggests that this accessibility interests and motivates learners.

The back page has a link to online audio. Learners can also download fun worksheets to extend the learning experience at thebooknextdoor.com/Australia

The books are available from languages bookshops and library suppliers in Australia, and from Amazon worldwide. ISBN: 978-1-922191-83-0

Beach Icons of Australia is an easy-read, non-fiction title for adult and young adult English language learners in Australia.

It is part of a new series, ‘Read about Australia’, which was requested by librarians.

The level is elementary/post beginner, but the books can be read by confident beginners. Each spread has a full colour photograph, and a page that starts with a question: What is this?  The answers could be A No Swimming sign, Rock Fishing, or a sealion – but the emphasis is always on beach safety (and the text has been checked by a Surf Lifesaving representative). You can see sample pages here.

The layout is designed for new migrants who are still dealing with the challenges of reading in a new language – and maybe a new script and new reading direction.

The back page has a link to online audio. Learners can also download fun worksheets to extend the learning experience at thebooknextdoor.com/Australia

The books are available from Australian language bookshops and library suppliers, or on Amazon worldwide. ISBN: 978-1-922191-82-3

G'day! English in Australia is an easy-read, non-fiction title for adult and young adult English language learners in Australia.

It is part of a new series, ‘Read about Australia’, which was requested by librarians.

The level is elementary/post beginner, but the books can be read by confident beginners. Each spread has a full colour photograph, and a page that starts with a question or reflection about Aussie English: Ready for brekkie? Chook or crook?  The book explores some easy idiomatic language, abbreviations, our pronunciation and our spelling, references our many First Nations languages, and provides a little insight into our humour.

The layout is designed for new migrants who are still dealing with the challenges of reading in a new language – and maybe a new script and new reading direction. To see the format, you can look inside all the books here.

The back page has a link to online audio. Learners can also download fun worksheets to extend the learning experience.

Teachers, you can find your link on that page, to download resources you might need: Introductory slides, the audio files and the worksheets.

The books are available from Australian language bookshops and library suppliers, or on Amazon worldwide. ISBN: 978-1-922191-878

The Bush in  Australia is an easy-read, non-fiction title for adult and young adult English language learners in Australia.

It is part of a new series, ‘Read about Australia’, which was requested by librarians.

The level is elementary/post beginner, but the books can be read by confident beginners. Each spread has a full colour photograph, and a page that starts with a question: What is bushwalking? What is a bushfire? What is a bush tick?  The answers explore how important the bush is to Australians – and how important it is to respect the bush and its dangers.

The layout is designed for new migrants who are still dealing with the challenges of reading in a new language – and maybe a new script and new reading direction. To see the format, you can look inside all the books here.

The back page has a link to online audio. Learners can also download fun worksheets to extend the learning experience.

The books are available from Australian language bookshops and library suppliers, or on Amazon worldwide. ISBN: 978-1-922191-90-8

Amazing Animals of Australia is an easy-read, non-fiction title for adult and young adult English language learners in Australia.

It is part of a new series, ‘Read about Australia’, which was requested by librarians.

The level is elementary/post beginner, but the books can be read by confident beginners. Each spread has a full colour photograph, and a page that starts with a NOT statement: Not so cuddly (the koala), Not a fake! (the platypus) Not a marsupial (the flying fox). The text is then full of fun facts about that animal.

The layout is designed for new migrants who are still dealing with the challenges of reading in a new language – and maybe a new script and new reading direction. To see the format, you can look inside all the books here.

The back page has a link to online audio. Learners can also download fun worksheets to extend the learning experience.

The books are available from Australian language bookshops and library suppliers, or on Amazon worldwide. ISBN: 978-1-922191-88-5

Flags and Symbols of  Australia is an easy-read, non-fiction title for adult and young adult English language learners in Australia.

It is part of a new series, ‘Read about Australia’, which was requested by librarians.

The level is elementary/post beginner, but the books can be read by confident beginners. Each spread has a full colour photograph, and a page that asks question about what the parts of our three flags represent, or why the emu and kangaroo are good symbols for our Coat of Arms, or what to expect at a Welcome to Country. There are extra questions  to encourage learners to find out the symbols for their state or territory, and some research questions at the back of the book.

The layout is designed for new migrants who are still dealing with the challenges of reading in a new language – and maybe a new script and new reading direction. To see the format, you can look inside all the books here.

The back page has a link to online audio. Learners can also download fun worksheets to extend the learning experience.

The books are available from Australian language bookshops and library suppliers, or on Amazon worldwide. ISBN: 978-1-922191-89-2