4 stars
I watching the movie over and over again as a child. It has been years since I last watched it, but from what I remember, the plot and dialogue of the book closely follow that of the movie.
Lovely world-building. Some parts felt a bit rushed, but overall I enjoyed the level of description. It was also interesting to learn more about various Australian flora and fauna. Nice emphasis on how human impact can be dangerous and harmful to the environment. The incorporation of magical elements helped gets its message across without coming off too preachy.
This book also includes detailed sketches of the animals mentioned, which are gorgeous.
A fun novel for those who love the movie.