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Tiny Possum and the Migrating Moths
High in the Australian Alps, Possum faces the challenges of finding enough food and shelter to survive the harsh alpine winter. She will spend months hibernating under a blanket of snow. Will she last through the year to successfully raise a new family?
The Mountain Pygmy-possum is a unique endangered species that's small in size but huge in appeal! Once thought to be extinct, there are now fewer than 2500 of these tiny survivors in the wild. They need snow and Bogong Moths to survive, and also support through great conservation work.
Tiny Possum and the Migrating Moths is a lyrical adventure from former zoologist Julie Murphy and beautifully illustrated by Ben Clifford. It is perfect for primary-aged readers.
The Mountain Pygmy-possum is a unique endangered species that's small in size but huge in appeal! Once thought to be extinct, there are now fewer than 2500 of these tiny survivors in the wild. They need snow and Bogong Moths to survive, and also support through great conservation work.
Tiny Possum and the Migrating Moths is a lyrical adventure from former zoologist Julie Murphy and beautifully illustrated by Ben Clifford. It is perfect for primary-aged readers.
- GenresPicture Books
32 pages, Hardcover
Published November 1, 2021
About the author
Julie Murphy
25 books46 followersI am an Australian children's writer of fiction, nonfiction and verse. I mostly write picture books about animals and nature. Some have been recognised for awards, including the Wilderness Society Environment Award for Children's Literature and Whitley Awards.
A former outdoor educator, zoologist and zookeeper, I hope to leave readers with a love of words, curiosity and nature.
I live in Melbourne, Australia with my husband, daughter and big, black dog, Banjo.
A former outdoor educator, zoologist and zookeeper, I hope to leave readers with a love of words, curiosity and nature.
I live in Melbourne, Australia with my husband, daughter and big, black dog, Banjo.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 24, 2021
Found in only one place on Earth - the Southern Alps in south-east Australia - the mountain pygmy-possum is a very special little creature with a very big story to tell. Each year an amazing narrative plays out that has to be read to be believed.
High in the mountains, a little pygmy-possum must feast on enough bogong moths to survive the perilous winter when it will hide away under the snow in a nest made of moss, grass and leaves where it will rest, sleep and breed. If it can survive the harsh winter and avoid feral cats and foxes then it may just live to see another year. But will the moths make it back, with light pollution an increasing distraction, nothing is certain…
Written by former zoologist and zookeeper, Julie Murphy, and beautifully illustrated by Ben Clifford - I fell in love with ‘Tiny Possum’ as soon as I lay eyes on the front cover, Tiny Possum and the Migrating Moths is an informative non-fiction narrative that brings some much needed attention to the plight of the critically endangered mountain pygmy-possum.
The story focuses on the precious relationship between the marsupial and the bogong moth, the moth is an essential food source for the pygmy-possum and the need to feast on enough of them in the warmer months is necessary in order to survive the cold, harsh months of winter. There is so much to learn about this tiny and fascinating creature and throughout the course of the year we are privy to its unique diet, breeding habits, the place it calls home and the threats it faces to not only its short term survival but also its long term future.
Additional content provides further insight into the mountain pygmy-possum’s life and the actions that are being taken to help protect them. For those that live on the bogong moths flight-path something as simple as turning off the light could be the difference as to whether or not the pygmy-possums food source arrives and ultimately whether or not these fabulous animals survive.
Wonderfully educational and highly engaging, children will thoroughly enjoy delving into the life of this adorable tiny possum and learning about its incredible life and yearly battle to survive.
With huge thanks to CSIRO Publishing for the copy I received in exchange for an honest review.
Recommended for 6+.
High in the mountains, a little pygmy-possum must feast on enough bogong moths to survive the perilous winter when it will hide away under the snow in a nest made of moss, grass and leaves where it will rest, sleep and breed. If it can survive the harsh winter and avoid feral cats and foxes then it may just live to see another year. But will the moths make it back, with light pollution an increasing distraction, nothing is certain…
Written by former zoologist and zookeeper, Julie Murphy, and beautifully illustrated by Ben Clifford - I fell in love with ‘Tiny Possum’ as soon as I lay eyes on the front cover, Tiny Possum and the Migrating Moths is an informative non-fiction narrative that brings some much needed attention to the plight of the critically endangered mountain pygmy-possum.
The story focuses on the precious relationship between the marsupial and the bogong moth, the moth is an essential food source for the pygmy-possum and the need to feast on enough of them in the warmer months is necessary in order to survive the cold, harsh months of winter. There is so much to learn about this tiny and fascinating creature and throughout the course of the year we are privy to its unique diet, breeding habits, the place it calls home and the threats it faces to not only its short term survival but also its long term future.
Additional content provides further insight into the mountain pygmy-possum’s life and the actions that are being taken to help protect them. For those that live on the bogong moths flight-path something as simple as turning off the light could be the difference as to whether or not the pygmy-possums food source arrives and ultimately whether or not these fabulous animals survive.
Wonderfully educational and highly engaging, children will thoroughly enjoy delving into the life of this adorable tiny possum and learning about its incredible life and yearly battle to survive.
With huge thanks to CSIRO Publishing for the copy I received in exchange for an honest review.
Recommended for 6+.
February 9, 2022
Realistic illustrations support this narrative of a pygmy possum and the dangers she faces surviving in a harsh mountain environment and thorough the loss of a food source - the bogong moth. This loss is not through the more common habitat degradation but because of the lure of the lights in the cities.
The story takes the reader through the three significant seasons of the possums life and life cycle - presented at the end of the book - through engaging and descriptive language that personalises the story to one particular pygmy possum. Ben Clifford's illustrations are stunning -rich in colour and detail to accurately present the flora, fauna and landscape of the Australian Alps.
The story takes the reader through the three significant seasons of the possums life and life cycle - presented at the end of the book - through engaging and descriptive language that personalises the story to one particular pygmy possum. Ben Clifford's illustrations are stunning -rich in colour and detail to accurately present the flora, fauna and landscape of the Australian Alps.
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November 5, 2021Excerpt from Kids' Book Review (5/11/21) -
"Tiny Possum and the Migrating Moths is literally a work of art. A flood of information is available simply from the book and its additions at the end.
Julie Murphy has ensured a clear and comprehensive overview of this little known animal. Highly educational and extremely interesting, children will delight in learning about, and viewing the habits of this precious being."
http://www.kids-bookreview.com/2021/1...
"Tiny Possum and the Migrating Moths is literally a work of art. A flood of information is available simply from the book and its additions at the end.
Julie Murphy has ensured a clear and comprehensive overview of this little known animal. Highly educational and extremely interesting, children will delight in learning about, and viewing the habits of this precious being."
http://www.kids-bookreview.com/2021/1...
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews