<p>Australia is the smallest continent in the world, but one of the largest islands. Most people live along the coast, as close as possible to the sea. Many who live inland are so far from the nearest town that they do their schoolwork at home. This ancient land is home to many unusual animals-kangaroos and koalas (marsupials that carry their young in pouches), platypuses (mammals that lay eggs and have the bill and webbed feet of a duck) and funnel webs (spiders that can kill humans with their deadly venom). In summer time surfboard riders take to the waves, a bushfire alert may mean that people can't light outdoor fires, and thousands of fans flock to cricket matches. Find out where the six states are on the colorful maps and look out for the stickers in the middle of the book.</p>