The Tale
of Kaz Kangaroo by Susan Hall, illustrated by Ben Guy
(National
Library of Australia
HB RRP $14.95
ISBN 978-0-642-27729-9
Reviewed
by Emma Cameron
Leaning
out of Mother’s pouch one day, Kaz spots an interesting shape out to sea that’s
heading for land. She hops a very long way, further than she has ever been on
her own, to reach the beach and investigate this apparition. She thinks it may
be a whale, until she spots Uprights crawling all over it and realises she
should return home. Sadly, she can not remember which way home is.
The
Uprights, who are setting up camp on land, try to catch Kaz. When fear takes
hold and paralyzes her, all the Uprights try to work out what this strange
creature is. It’s not a dog, a deer or a gigantic rat! One of them tries to
draw her. When Kaz’s mum shows up, Kaz disappears into Mum’s pouch. The
Uprights are amazed and, although wary of Mum’s size, they crowd around.
Kaz feels safe enough in Mum’s pouch to pop her head out and this makes one Upright
order the others to back away, meaning Kaz and Mum can get home. One of four in
the Animal Tales series, this tiny
hardback explores the reaction of Europeans to our native fauna when they first
came to Australia
Young
readers will enjoy the initial story about Kaz and, as they grow up and learn
more about the world around them and our history, they will see into more of
the issues faced by early settlers and our native animals when they first met.
Besides incorporating small facts into the story, the book ends with pictures
showing some of the early paintings done by early settlers; most interesting,
as they got a lot wrong first up!
Story
illustrations by Ben Guy are accurate presentations of our kangaroos and
illustrations of the ship and the early settlers are a step into the past. From
the scenic Australian end papers to the stylish cloth case and jacket, this is
a quality production, and a percentage of proceeds goes to the RSPCA.
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