One koala one hundred trees by Leesa Allinson & Heather Potter & Mark Jackson

Finding an injured koala on their farm, Dad and his daughter get in touch with the local wildlife rescue team. The woman who comes to collect the animal, tells them there is a joey in her pouch and not to be too optimistic about the animals’ survival. Dad armed with the fact sheet given them by the rescuer, decides to plant more trees as a habitat for the koalas they sometimes see on their property.

But it is a bigger project than theycan achieve alone. Posters are placed around the town, asking for supporters. 10 trees are enough for one koala she says, and asks people to come and help. Her posters attract the interest of a journalist and the story is told in the local paper. On the designated day Dad and his daughter are pleased to see so many people come to help. They allocate different jobs to the helpers, gratified to see the results of their efforts at the end of the day. They are on the way to build a koala corridor so that the animals can move from one lot of forest to another.

A charming story embedded with lots of facts about koalas and their habitat, along with fact sheets and information about what can be done is offered in this beautifully crafted book.The illustrations are wonderful, reflecting life on the farm and in a small community, while showing how koalas live in the little bush that is left. The images reinforce the text showing what a dedicated and informed community can do to alleviate the problem of the decline of the koala.

Married couple Jackson and Potter have been recognised for their illustrative techniques, having a number of exhibitions, designings tamps, illustrating books awardedby the CBCA, including Little Lon and Waves. More information about theirwork can be found here.

Themes: Koalas, Endangered species, Community action, Australian flora.

Fran Knight