Koala

Beautifully written, Claire Saxby combines a heartfelt narrative with factual information about the iconic Australian marsupial, on each page. …A gorgeous publication, Koala is sure to be another success as he finds his own way home, right into the hearts of young Australians. * Aussie Reviews *Like the other excellent titles in Walker Books’ award-winning Nature Storybooks series, Koala features a winning combination of a compelling and lyrical narrative, accurate facts about an animal’s life history and attractive illustrations. * Reading Time *A gorgeous publication, Koala is sure to be another success as he finds his own way home, right into the hearts of young Australians. – Kids Book Review * Kids Book Review *In this dramatic nonfiction account, two renowned Australian picture-book creators bring us a surprising and authentic look at the ever-popular koala. Fascinating facts about koalas are sprinkled throughout the compelling story – Good Reads * Good Reads *Saxby’s narrative text is an exemplar of nonfiction writing…likewise, Vivas’s illustrations work on two levels: the zoological and the emotive….The whole is an engaging and informative read. * Magpies Magazine *

Claire Saxby writes award-winning fiction, non-fiction and poetry for young people. She writes about history, about nature and more. Her books include Nature Storybooks ( Big Red Kangaroo, Emu, Koala, Dingo, Kookaburra, Great White Shark, Tasmanian Devil and Wedge-tailed Eagle) which celebrate Australian wildlife and the places they live. Her historical novel, The Wearing of the Green, explores early colonial Melbourne. Claire lives by the sea and believes our world is a place of many wonders.

Julie Vivas is one of Australia’s most loved and popular picture book illustrators. Her first picture book, The Tram to Bondi Beach (written by Libby Hathorn), was Highly Commended in the 1982 Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Picture Book of the Year Awards. However it is for her illustrations in the beloved Australian classic Possum Magic, written by Mem Fox, that she has become most well known. This book was Highly Commended at the 1984 CBCA Picture Book of the Year Awards. In 1990 The Very Best of Friends, Julie’s first picture book with Margaret Wild, won this particular award. Julie has since been short-listed for this award several times. In 1992 she was awarded the Dromkeen Medal for her significant contribution to children’s literature.