Hatch

Reviews

"Heidi Cooper Smith's digital watercolour illustrations are soft, colourful and engaging... With its mix of narrative, illustrations, educational text and glossary, Hatch is suitable for both preschool and primary school-aged children."
Angela Meyer, Books+Publishing, 11 February 2025

"This is a most beautifully told story with just as beautiful illustrations, that fills your heart with love and wonderment of our world."
Jane Stephens, Good Reading Magazine, April 2025

"I am in love with the beauty, warmth, and detail of the illustrations in this book! Hatch can work as a picture book for bedtime with the long vowels and gentle rhythm, and also as a scientific resource to spark curiosity and interest and for school projects."
Tyrion Perkins, Storylinks, 11 April 2025

"Through beautiful, detailed illustrations that make you want to touch, and accessible text that is expanded with more information in the latter pages, double page spreads open up a wondrous world of life beginning, in, on and under the landscape."
Barbara Braxton, The Bottom Shelf, 6 April 2025

"Each accompanying narrative sings a gentle ode to the creature’s nature and style of egg laying. These lyrical homages are illustrated with exquisite, detailed precision and stunning use of colour, often providing a cross-sectional view for the reader. "
Anastasia Gonis, Kids Book Review, 1 April 2025

"Do you know many Australian animals which lay eggs? Hatch, by Heidi Cooper Smith answers this question in such a gorgeous way. […] The stunning illustrations show their unique habitats and children will love learning about how they look after their young"
Rita, @get.kids.booked (Instagram), 21 March 2025

"With stunningly detailed illustrations, this [book] is perfect for curious minds eager to explore the animal kingdom"
Abby, @abbys_fabulous_library (Instagram), 16 March 2025

Hatch is a delightful, inviting, richly illustrated book that children pore over"
Aleesah Darlison, Little Darlings (Facebook), 2 April 2025

Features

• Features a variety of unique Australian animals, including reptiles, birds, insects and monotremes, and their habitats.
• Beautiful illustrations that contain lots of detail for kids to explore.
• Includes animals found in the Australian bush and even some city backyards, encouraging kids to go out and observe these animals and their behaviour for themselves.

Contents

Authors

Heidi Cooper Smith has always held a love and fascination for animals, particularly those that could be found in her own backyard. Growing up in the bush on a diet of David Attenborough documentaries, she wants to help foster this appreciation in the next generation.

For Teachers

We have created these Teacher Notes as a free PDF download to support the use of this book in the classroom.

Teacher Notes (756.47 KB)