Unreal: Can you tell fact from fake? by Kate Simpson illustrated by Leila Rudge

"Some of the displays from our Myths and Legends exhibit were brought here to the Natural History wing (of the museum) by mistake. ... 

Could you help me sort the real-world animals from the myths?"

This is a fantastic book and it has been so thoroughly researched - and the coloured pencil illustrations by Leila Rudge are perfect. I was alerted to this book when I saw the brochure for a recent local children's CBCA NSW event where Kate Simpson was one of the guests. I will confess I don't read many nonfiction books but I really enjoyed testing myself on each of the challenges - real or unreal. AND I was wrong more than I was right.

Every teacher of Grades 3-6 and every school library should make a chart using the introductory page from this book which explores these important research questions:

• Who is providing me with this information?
• Do they have evidence for their claims?
• Why are they telling me this?
• How recent is the information?
• Do other sources agree?

The first habitat was easy - which is real which is unreal - Kraken; Vampire Squid; Marine Iguana; Narwhal; Lamprey = Kraken. But then I started to go wrong. I had never heard of a Chupacabra - turns out this creature is an urban legend. Thank goodness because it is supposed to drink the blood of its prey. I also learnt some new vocab from this book such as the word cryptid which means an animal that some people believe is real but whose existence is not backed by science - such as the Loch Ness Monster. I am also curious to read more about foxfire fungus; the turtle frog (its Australian); zombi ant fungus; and the plantasian. I did think sewer alligators could be real - luckily they are not. Kate Simpson tried to trick me but I knew the spaghetti tree was an April fool's joke.

This book would be a delight to share with a class. If you or your school are members of PETAA they have developed some teaching ideas. There are ten animal categories in this book. I think it would be fun to share one category with your students each week. You could share the page; spend three or four days researching the creatures; vote for your choice of 'unreal' and then reveal the truth at the end of each week. A related topic could be museums - check out this Pinterest. 

We know that sorting fact from fiction is a useful skill for all readers to acquire as early as possible. This book with its tantalizing topics, its brief descriptive texts accompanying the engaging illustrations will keep children engaged and learning for hours. It’s a book to explore, to delve into and to share. Storylinks

This book is brimming with fascinating creatures, some I had not heard of (the turtle frog, tarsier and jerboa to name some) and mesmerising facts for each creature. The facts included are unique to each animal and may include information about their diet, habitat, adaptations, temperament, as well as information about what makes them unique, their life cycle plus many other engaging facts. For the incredible plants and fungi included (a plant that moves, a tree with exploding fruit, a carnivorous plant and the zombie-ant fungus) readers will learn more enthralling facts about each of these. Reading opens Doors

Author blurb: There's been a mix-up at the Museum - some of the displays from the Myths and Legends exhibit have snuck into the Natural History wing. We have to sort it out, but how can we tell fact from fiction? Animal from apparition? Megafauna from monster? Kids will have fun guessing which animals and plants are real and which are fake in this extraordinary exhibition of the strange and wonderful animals and plants that inhabit our world ... and our imaginations. And a brilliant guide to help us know what to look for when tracking down truths.

I missed this book last year - I was so pleased to see Unreal was a 2025 CBCA Eve Pownall Notable title. 

I previously adored these books by Kate Simpson:

How to move a zoo

Ouch!

Leila Rudge is the illustrator of two books that I really loved sharing with readers in my school library. We have sent her an invitation to participate in our IBBY Australia Mini Masterpiece art auction for 2025. I do hope she agrees to send us a post card sized piece of her beautiful art.

Gary

Once upon a small rhinoceros

IBBY Australia

Dear Leila,

We need your support. We were so delighted by the success of the inaugural 2023 Mini Masterpieces fundraiser that we’re going to run it again to raise funds for the Australian branch of the International Board on Books for Young People, IBBY Australia. 

We’re inviting celebrated Australian children’s book illustrators to donate post-card sized artworks for an online auction. Can you take part?

Formed in 1966, IBBY Australia is one of 82 National sections of IBBY, and each year must pay a membership fee of almost $10 000 to remain part of the international IBBY organisation.

IBBY was established following the Second World War and aims to build bridges to international understanding through children’s books. As you may be aware, IBBY Australia promotes Australian authors and illustrators by submitting their work for several IBBY administered international awards, including:

• the Hans Christian Andersen Award

• IBBY Honour Book List

• the Silent Books collection 

• the Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities list 

The Mini Masterpieces auction will run from 14 November to 28 November, with the original artworks promoted as a unique Christmas gift. Each piece will have a reserve of $75.

We welcome your support to help IBBY Australia continue to promote Australian creators internationally. Your contribution will be acknowledged and celebrated on our website and our social media channels.