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Alexander the Bunyip #1
The Monster That Ate Canberra
The Alexander Bunyip Story
Alexander is a large, greedy bunyip, who likes to eat national landmarks. In 1972 he featured in Michael Salmon's first children's book: The Monster that Ate Canberra. Alexander decided Lake Burley Griffin would make the perfect home... Then he proceeded to feast on famous buildings around our Nation's Capital!
Canberra has never recovered and ever since Alexander has been a 'figure of national importance'. His adventures have been serialised on radio, he has starred in children's pantomimes, appeared in book sequels, magazines and board games and all sorts of merchandise.
Alexander began his TV career in 1978 as co-host of 'Arvo' on ABC TV.
He has since starred in 'Alexander's Afternoon', 'The Alexander Bunyip Show', and 'Alexander Bunyip's Billabong'.
In 2011 the ACT Government commissioned a big bronze statue of Alexander which stands proudly outside the new Gungahlin Library. It's a tribute to the book and its four decades of helping young people learn to read. Kids today can still share the excitement of Alexander's adventures with Mums and Dads who were just little when the Bunyip began chomping his way through the city.
Unfortunately Alexander is just as greedy as ever, especially if there are lamingtons about. His manners haven't improved with age, either!
Alexander is a large, greedy bunyip, who likes to eat national landmarks. In 1972 he featured in Michael Salmon's first children's book: The Monster that Ate Canberra. Alexander decided Lake Burley Griffin would make the perfect home... Then he proceeded to feast on famous buildings around our Nation's Capital!
Canberra has never recovered and ever since Alexander has been a 'figure of national importance'. His adventures have been serialised on radio, he has starred in children's pantomimes, appeared in book sequels, magazines and board games and all sorts of merchandise.
Alexander began his TV career in 1978 as co-host of 'Arvo' on ABC TV.
He has since starred in 'Alexander's Afternoon', 'The Alexander Bunyip Show', and 'Alexander Bunyip's Billabong'.
In 2011 the ACT Government commissioned a big bronze statue of Alexander which stands proudly outside the new Gungahlin Library. It's a tribute to the book and its four decades of helping young people learn to read. Kids today can still share the excitement of Alexander's adventures with Mums and Dads who were just little when the Bunyip began chomping his way through the city.
Unfortunately Alexander is just as greedy as ever, especially if there are lamingtons about. His manners haven't improved with age, either!
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1972
About the author
Michael Salmon
135 books13 followersMichael Salmon has been involved in the business of entertaining young people for 32 years since joining the famous marionette troupe “THE TINTOOKIES “ (Sydney, Australia) in 1968 as a stage manager / trainee designer (The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust).
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 4, 2022
"In an emergency, ring The Department of Meat Pies and Tomato Sauce." I've made a note of that.
June 25, 2026
The Monster That Ate Canberra is one of Dad’s childhood favourites and apparently the jelly scene has lived rent-free in his head ever since. He’d been looking forward to reading it to me far more than I’d been looking forward to hearing it.
I was quite taken by the illustrations. There was something about the pink bunyip that kept grabbing my attention. The story itself is a bit chunky for someone my age and I made sure Dad knew I was reaching my limit towards the end.
We’ll be back for it when I can appreciate the jelly as much as Dad does.
I was quite taken by the illustrations. There was something about the pink bunyip that kept grabbing my attention. The story itself is a bit chunky for someone my age and I made sure Dad knew I was reaching my limit towards the end.
We’ll be back for it when I can appreciate the jelly as much as Dad does.
May 23, 2020
Hilarious!!!!! Written for parents (I think) as much for the little ones. I enjoyed this book a lot.
January 22, 2013
I re-read this today, and I could not stop laughing! I had forgotten all the tongue in cheek jokes about Australian culture! Some of the things I laughed at were:
The minister for kulture (and footy) (sic.)
The minister for meat pies and tomato sauce
The fact that the minister for foreign affairs was away on holiday in Bali
The Prime Minister being tired from looking through "heaps of tourist brochures to decide on his next overseas trip... work that was both confusing and exhausting!"
"The navy only had a rowing boat and one oar"
The supreme court judge snacking on KFC in his robes
The bunyip sent to work on a soapie as punishment "After all 20 years working on a soap opera woudl be ample punishment for anyone."
"The Young, Restless, Flying Country Bunyip Neighbours Show" (taken from the titles of Australian soaps)
Feeding the bunyip on 'scripts that didn't rate'. They tasted "awful- dry, musty and unoriginal."
A fake female bunyip called Kylie (Minogue)
ABC fashion guide for sport
ABC guide to program repeats
If "you hear a loud shuffling and snuffling outside your bedroom window one night, don't be alarmed, it probably isn't another lost tourist, baffled beaureaucrat or confused politician"...
A great book, especially if you are Australian!
The minister for kulture (and footy) (sic.)
The minister for meat pies and tomato sauce
The fact that the minister for foreign affairs was away on holiday in Bali
The Prime Minister being tired from looking through "heaps of tourist brochures to decide on his next overseas trip... work that was both confusing and exhausting!"
"The navy only had a rowing boat and one oar"
The supreme court judge snacking on KFC in his robes
The bunyip sent to work on a soapie as punishment "After all 20 years working on a soap opera woudl be ample punishment for anyone."
"The Young, Restless, Flying Country Bunyip Neighbours Show" (taken from the titles of Australian soaps)
Feeding the bunyip on 'scripts that didn't rate'. They tasted "awful- dry, musty and unoriginal."
A fake female bunyip called Kylie (Minogue)
ABC fashion guide for sport
ABC guide to program repeats
If "you hear a loud shuffling and snuffling outside your bedroom window one night, don't be alarmed, it probably isn't another lost tourist, baffled beaureaucrat or confused politician"...
A great book, especially if you are Australian!
November 19, 2008
I've got the original 1972 version and the newer 2004 version.
I love looking at the differences:
Lots of the Canberra landmarks have been swapped around - the Shine Dome replaced with new Parliament House, etc. The introduction of Black Mt Tower.
I particularly like at the end when the zoo keeper contacts the Prime Minister - was a telegram now an email!
I also love the new picture of the PM - clearly modelled on Bob Hawke!
While not changing the basic storyline just about every line in the book has been modified - while always loving the original I think the newer version is actually an easier read.
I love looking at the differences:
Lots of the Canberra landmarks have been swapped around - the Shine Dome replaced with new Parliament House, etc. The introduction of Black Mt Tower.
I particularly like at the end when the zoo keeper contacts the Prime Minister - was a telegram now an email!
I also love the new picture of the PM - clearly modelled on Bob Hawke!
While not changing the basic storyline just about every line in the book has been modified - while always loving the original I think the newer version is actually an easier read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2015
I read this book as a child and absolutely loved it.
It was a funny, well written and interesting book for a 7 year old and remained a fave for years to come.
It was a funny, well written and interesting book for a 7 year old and remained a fave for years to come.
November 5, 2022
I have such a soft spot for Michael Salmon, thanks to my nostalgia goggles.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews