Tell Tails: An Anthology for Animals

Tell Tails: An Anthology for Animals (written and illustrated by Nettie Lodge) is an A-to-Z collection of poems and illustrations that brings the animal world to life. Each animal has its own story about its character, its origin, and its place in nature to inspire young zoologists. Through inquiry and the joy that all animals bring to our world, Tell Tails shines a light on the rare, the endangered, the vulnerable, the mighty and the most loved animals in the world.

The book is unique in that it features an endangered animal for each letter of the alphabet. There are 26 beautiful and vibrant watercolour illustrations which provide details of each animal, including some interesting facts. The native country of each animal is identified, helping children to understand that there are endangered animals around the world.

Each animal and its habitat are described in rhyming verse, making for an interesting and engaging read. The use of rhyming words helps children to predict the pattern of language, helps broaden vocabulary and assists children learning to read.

About the Author/Illustrator

Nettie Lodge is an artist and writer. She obtained a Bachelor of Fine Art at John Curtain University, WA. She also did a Post Graduate programme at the Banff Centre of Fine Arts, Canada for which she was awarded a grant from the West Australian Arts Council.

She has exhibited regularly in Sydney since 1985. Her work is represented in public and private collections around the world. She works in Sydney as a freelance illustrator and lecturer at Torrens University.

She has recently been selected as a finalist in the Northern Beaches Art Prize, to be announced and exhibited at the Manly Art Gallery and Museum in August 2022.

Nettie illustrated The Urban Escapees (written by Susan Ramage) published by Green Olive Press in 2019. She has also illustrated the Kindy Kitchen™ series of books.

Nettie has lived and worked on Scotland Island, off the NSW coast, for twenty-five years, among the tall gum trees and native flora and fauna. Each day she travels to the mainland in her little tinny, relishing the rush of the waves and the wind on her face.