Searching for Cicadas

Searching for Cicadas –

A delightful story about spending time with family and developing a respect for nature

By Lesley Gibbes, illustrated by Judy Watson

Pub date: August 2019
AUS Price: $26.99
ISBN: 9781922244420

Publisher: Walker Books Australia

This lovely story about a child and their grandfather searching for cicadas is part of the award-winning narrative nonfiction Nature Storybooks series.

In the summertime, Grandpa and I go cicada-watching. We put our camping gear into my wagon and walk down to the local reserve. Last year we saw five Green Grocers, three Yellow Mondays and one Floury Baker. Can we find the rare Black Prince this year? 

This heart-warming narrative is interspersed with facts about cicadas, encouraging children to learn more about the insects that help create the soundtrack to summer. With an underlying theme of respecting nature, Searching for Cicadas shows children that there is beauty and wonder everywhere, if they take the time to look for it. 

About the Author
Lesley Gibbes grew up in Sydney’s Northern Beaches and Wagga Wagga in country NSW. After completing a Bachelor of Education at the University of Sydney she embarked on a successful sixteen-year teaching career in Primary Education specialising in dance, drama, debating and public speaking. She is now a multiple-award-winning, internationally published author of books for children. Nature Storybooks: Searching For Cicadas (illustrated by Judy Watson) is her first book with Walker.

About the Illustrator

Judy Watson grew up in a house behind her father’s veterinary clinic, and spent all her holidays on a farm near the beach. When she was not reading or drawing, she could be found lying in the long grass watching bugs and birds. Judy’s first picture book won the Prime Minister’s Literary Award for Children’s Fiction. She has illustrated over 20 books for children. She particularly enjoyed drawing Australian plants for Searching For Cicadas (written by Lesley Gibbes).