A Short Trip to Australia

Three children magically globe-trot in the Worldwide Adventures of Rohini Molini series, which launches with this chipper story. Normally not fond of sticks, Rohini's dog, Bugle, is quite taken by an odd-shaped one he digs up in the park. Though some readers will recognize it as a boomerang, Rohini does not, so she, her friends Jackson and baby Florence, and Bugle "magically travel to find out where in the world the stick came from.%E2%80%9D When they clap five times and jump, they are transported to Australia, where they meet Lachlan, a friend of Rohini's who tells them about boomerangs. The authors add occasional search-and-find elements to the story ("They had really enjoyed their short trip to Australia, but were surprised they didn't see any kangaroos. Did you?%E2%80%9D), which also incorporates a smattering of Australian jargon and concludes with a few facts about the continent. While the story is only a light introduction to Australia, Ibbotson-Gue's vivid cartoons enhance the book's mild playfulness. Rohini and her friends learn the difference between fiestas and siestas in A Short Trip to Spain, also available. Ages 3%E2%80%936.