Tiny Tradies: Aussie Word Book

By Tami Sussman & Tom Jellett

Reviewed by Mia Macrossan

This is a companion to Tiny Tradies 2023, which celebrates the working lives of very young people as they go about their busy days. The Tiny Tradies Aussie Word Book is a joyous compendium of all the many and varied expressions, contractions and neologisms that call Australia home.

It uses the framework of families getting their kids ready in the morning, going off to play in the park, having a picnic, doing some work before knocking off early and heading home. I didn’t realise before reading this book how many original Australian expressions we use every day – give it a burl, having a squiz, up and at it, sparrow’s fart, good onya.  So many words and expressions are shortened – brekkie, tanty, bikkies, sangas, flanno, coldie, Blunnies, sunnies, the list goes on. There are many words and phrases we use everyday that are exclusively Australian but Sussman and Jellett have included properly labelled items and activities – surveyor, loading zone, project manager, mixing etc. so children learn these as well.

Tom Jellett’s illustrations are as humourous, inventive and expressive as always. Each page is crammed with detail inviting readers to explore and discover without any useless clutter. This book demonstrates how people constantly have fun with words, playing, changing, being creative and original in all aspects of their daily lives.

Teachers will find this an absolutely goldmine of useful material and parents will have tremendous fun sharing with children. Recommended for every school and home library.

Affirm Press 2024

Tami Sussman

Tom Jellett