Who doesn’t know Slim Newton’s 1972 song ‘Redback on the Toilet Seat’? It was an instant country hit and surely replays in many minds if ever confronted with a cobwebby outdoor ‘dunny’. Children unaware of the long dark history of such things are in for a treat of memories of dunnies past if sharing this hilarious book with adults of a certain age. Craig Smith’s wickedly funny illustrations take the song lyrics into a fantasy world of Australiana with the victim and his wife two grossly fat and warty cane toads. The leap from the toilet seat is impressive, watched by anxious eyes peering from the bush. Even the man in the moon is shocked. A bite on the bum is funny enough but the look on the cane toad’s belligerent face takes the humour to another level. Their house is a delight with canisters in a descending line (rats, bugs, mice), and a souvenir plate-‘I’ve been to Kakadu.' It only gets better once in hospital with the toad being ministered to by a fierce little bandicoot. Crocodile, wombat, cassowary and others are in nurse’s uniforms. This is the shiniest gem so far in the ‘Aussie Gem’ series of value-priced hardcover picture books. For primary-aged children, or maybe a gift for Dad next Father’s Day?

Kerry White is a bibliographer and a major contributor to The Source, an online resource

Tags: slim newton