Pender finds a kangaroo shot by hunters. He watches it take its last breath. Then Pender realises something is moving inside the kangaroo's pouch. And so begins his rescue mission to save a joey too small to survive alone in the bush.
Of course, no one can keep a native Australian animal forever but Pender let me dream for a little while. Andrew Joiner's illustrations of this adorable but headstrong joey helped me both laugh and throw up my hands in exasperation.
Pender, Brindabella and Billy Bob stole my heart in turn: one tender carer, one faithful friend and one busy thinking only about herself.
Brindabella offers an uplifting and heart rending read that is sure to fill young minds with vivid dreams, but it does so much more than that. This story of a helpless joey and her journey home opens the way for discussion about pets, wild animals and what each need to thrive, as well as the effect of humans on native habitats.
I love the way Brindabella weaves a heartfelt story that children will want to hear more than once, while also giving perspective to the potential effects we humans have on other creatures in our world.
Title: Brindabella
Author: Ursula Dubosarsky
Illustrator: Andrew Joiner
Publisher: Allen & Unwin, $
Publication Date: 28 March 2018
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760112042
For ages: 8 – 12 years
Type: Middle Grade Fiction
