Citizen Science – books to help you look!

This group of books is inspiration for anyone who wants to connect with nature in their backyard, local park or neighbourhood.

You can go wild with CSIRO in National Science Week (9-17 August 2025) when you join CSIRO Wild Watch, our very first national science experiment made for young explorers! Plus, if you are one of the first 100 to register you can win a copy of Amazed!

CSIRO Wild Watch calls curious minds— young and young-at-heart— to connect with nature and form a nationwide team of citizen scientists. Together we can understand and protect Australia’s unique and beautiful biodiversity.

 

Plants and Fungi Children

Plantastic!

A to Z of Australian Plants Catherine Clowes , Rachel Gyan A gorgeous A to Z exploration of some of Australia's most unique and incredible native plants. Ages 6 to 12.
Hardback - Feb 2021 - AU $29.99
 

Plantabulous!

More A to Z of Australian Plants Catherine Clowes , Rachel Gyan Discover just how fabulous Australia's iconic and unique native plants really are! Ages 6 to 12.
Hardback - Jun 2024 - AU $29.99
 

The Wonderful World of Carnivorous Plants

Suzanne Houghton Enter a world of sticky leaves, slippery stems and tricky traps – the world of carnivorous plants. Ages 5 to 9.
Hardback - Apr 2025 - AU $26.99
 
 
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Plants and Fungi Adult

Plants of Subtropical Eastern Australia

Andrew Benwell Over 500 common, threatened, and ecologically significant plants of subtropical eastern Australia.
Paperback - Dec 2020 - AU $49.99
 

Wattles of Victoria and Tasmania

Neville Walsh , Daniel Murphy , Arthur Court , Alan Gibb A guide to the 121 species and subspecies of wattles found in Victoria and Tasmania.
Paperback - Mar 2025 - AU $59.99
 

Planet Fungi

A Photographer's Foray Catherine Marciniak , Stephen Axford , Tom May A fungal feast for the eyes, with stunning imagery accompanied by fascinating science stories.
Hardback - Aug 2025 - AU $59.99
 
Sales in Australia and New Zealand only.
 
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Marine and Freshwater Children

The Great Shark Egg Case Hunt

Kasey Whitelaw , Sylvia Morris Join young citizen scientists around the world to hunt for weird and wonderful shark egg cases. Ages 5 to 9.
Hardback - Oct 2025 - AU $26.99
 

The Great Southern Reef

Paul Venzo , Prue Francis , Cate James Go beachcombing with Professor Seaweed and learn about the hidden treasures of the sea. Ages 6 to 9.
Hardback - May 2022 - AU $24.99
 

Sid and the Very Hard to Find Squid

James O'Hanlon Join Sid on his quest to find the elusive colossal squid, and the discoveries he makes on the way. Ages 5 to 9.
Hardback - Jun 2025 - AU $26.99
 

Oceans at Night

Vanessa Pirotta , Cindy Lane Explore the wonderful world under the waves that comes alive at night. Ages 5 to 9.
Hardback - Jun 2024 - AU $24.99
 

Rakali of the Riverbank

Stephanie Owen Reeder , Rachel Gregg Explore the night with Rakali as he hunts for food, patrols the riverbank and dodges threats. Ages 5 to 9.
Hardback - Jul 2025 - AU $26.99
 
 
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Marine and Freshwater Adults

Beachcombing

A guide to seashores of the Southern Hemisphere Ceridwen Fraser Discover the fascinating stories behind what the oceans leave on our beaches.
Paperback - Jul 2021 - AU $27.99
 
Sales in Australia only.
 
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Animals Children

This Bird

Noticing Our Urban Birds Astred Hicks , Holly Parsons Discover the remarkable Australian native birds in your backyard, local parks and streets. Ages 6 to 12.
Hardback - Aug 2025 - AU $32.99
 

The Great Dawn Choir

Sarah Speedie , Cindy Lane Discover the beautiful native Australian birds that take part in the dawn chorus each morning. Ages 5 to 9.
Hardback - Aug 2025 - AU $26.99
 

Fabulous Frogs

Katrina Germein , Suzanne Houghton Discover amazing Aussie amphibians in swamps, rainforests, deserts and our own backyards. Ages 5 to 9.
Hardback - Oct 2024 - AU $24.99
 

Wombat Poos Are Square

Sophie Gillies , Karen Erasmus From sparkly to sandy to square, explore the unique poos that Aussie animals do! Ages 5 to 9.
Hardback - Apr 2025 - AU $26.99
 

Hatch

Heidi Cooper Smith Go on a beautiful journey from beach to bush, meeting Australia's amazing egg-laying animals. Ages 5 to 9.
Hardback - Apr 2025 - AU $26.99
 

Sensational Australian Animals

Stephanie Owen Reeder , Cher Hart Discover the intriguing and sense-ational things that these Australian animals can do! Ages 8 to 12.
Hardback - Feb 2024 - AU $29.99
 

Tardigrades

Nature's Toughest Survivors Anne Morgan , Jennifer Falkner Discover the survival superpowers of tardigrades, tiny little animals that are terrifically tough. Ages 6 to 9.
Hardback - Oct 2024 - AU $24.99
 

Wonderful Wasps

Katrina Germein , Suzanne Houghton Explore the beauty of Australia's native wasps, and the important environmental role they play.
Hardback - Nov 2022 - AU $24.99
 
 
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Animals Adult

A Guide to Land Snails of Australia

John Stanisic , Darryl Potter , Lorelle Stanisic An introduction to Australia's diverse land snails, their natural history, biology and identification.
Paperback - Jul 2022 - AU $49.99
 

Wild Collections

Specimens, Stories and Science from CSIRO Andrea Wild Explore CSIRO’s National Research Collections, its fascinating specimens and stories.
Paperback - Aug 2025 - AU $39.99
 

The Australian Bird Guide

Peter Menkhorst , Danny Rogers , Rohan Clarke , Jeff Davies , Peter Marsack , Kim Franklin The most comprehensive and beautifully illustrated field guide to Australia’s unique birdlife.
Paperback - Aug 2019 - AU $49.99
 
Sales in Australia and New Zealand only.

The Compact Australian Bird Guide

Jeff Davies , Peter Menkhorst , Danny Rogers , Rohan Clarke , Peter Marsack , Kim Franklin The essential quick identification guide, based on the award-winning The Australian Bird Guide.
Paperback - Aug 2022 - AU $34.99
 
Sales in Australia and New Zealand only.

A Guide to Native Bees of Australia

Terry Houston An illustrated introduction to the estimated 2000 species of Australian bees.
Paperback - Aug 2018 - AU $49.99
 

A Field Guide to Spiders of Australia

Robert Whyte , Greg Anderson The most comprehensive account of Australian spiders ever published.
Paperback - Jun 2017 - AU $49.95
 

Miniature Lives

Identifying Insects in Your Home and Garden Michelle Gleeson An easy-to-use identification guide to Australian insects in your home and garden.
Paperback - Mar 2016 - AU $49.99
 
 
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Popular Science Children

Lucky’s Star

The Story of a Meteorite Mark Greenwood , Lucia Masciullo Follow Lucky as she discovers a very precious rock that fell from space. Ages 5 to 9.
Hardback - Jun 2025 - AU $26.99
 

Our World Full of Wonder

Jevita Nilson , Jess Racklyeft Explore fascinating phenomena and places around the world in this vibrant picture book. Ages 5 to 9.
Hardback - Nov 2024 - AU $24.99
 

Our World of Wild Wonders

Jevita Nilson , Jess Racklyeft Go on a wild journey to explore the unique and amazing animal species that inhabit our planet. Ages 5 to 9.
Hardback - Feb 2025 - AU $24.99
 

AmAZed!

CSIRO's A to Z of Biodiversity Andrea Wild Packed with fabulous facts about plants, animals, microbes, and the scientists who study them. Ages 6 to 12.
Paperback - Jun 2021 - AU $29.99
 

Every Rock Has a Story

An A to Z of Australian Geology Kitty van Cuylenburg , Cher Hart Fun facts, incredible history and fascinating insights into Australia's amazing geology. Ages 8 to 12.
Hardback - Jan 2025 - AU $32.99
 
 
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