Plato the Platypus Plumber

by Hazel Edwards, Anna Bartlett (Editor), John Petropolous (Illustrator )

Picture book. Illustrated by John Petropoulos. Plato, an eco-warrior, and part-time plumber fixes watery problems like leaking taps, but he also fixes grumpy people with jokes or a smile spray. His tool kit is legendary. Despite ferals along the creek bank, Plato is on call to help Zanzibar and his family who are renovating their old creekside house.

Launched at the Balikpappan Pasir Ridge , Chevron, International School in Indonesia.
Translated into German & Spanish.

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Hazel is a readaholic, author and Reading Ambassador.

She’s best known for the children’s classic ‘There’s a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake’ which inspired ' Hippo! Hippo! the, Musical'' produced by Garry Ginivan which toured nationally.

January 2026 , The Guardian newspaper listed 'There's a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake' in the top 50 Australian picture books. End January 2026 voting in the Guardian poll will close for the top picture book.
2026 will celebrate the 46th year of this picture book.

Her unconventional memoir 'Not Just a Piece of Cake-Being an Author' (AUDIBLE and from www.ligatu _re as part of UnTapped project of historical Australian literature. ).
'Wasted?' a YA/adult cross over #Clific novel is her latest, set around the Garbage Patches, mid ocean where Asylum Seekers trade bio fuel to form a new State and gain visas. In dsylexi font from ReadHowYouWant , on audio and being adapted for screen.
Adult murder mystery 'Celebrant Sleuth: I do...or die' with asexual sleuth Quinn is currently on AUDIBLE ,read by the author from print & e versions. 'Wed,Then Dead on The Ghan' is a mini-sequel , commissioned by ABC audio and currently being adapted as a screenplay.
Hazel mentors her 'Hazelnuts' and helps people craft their ancestry in her popular workshops ‘Writing a Non- Boring Family History’, and 'Complete Your Book in a Year'.
'Fake I.D.' a family history mystery YA novel was translated into Tamil by Cre-A in Chennai.

Hazel’s 2001 Antarctic expedition inspired the young adult eco-thriller 'Antarctica's Frozen Chosen', picture book ‘Antarctic Dad’ (reprinted by Kipas) and the memoir, ‘Antarctic Writer on Ice’. Reading about Antarctica is a hobby.
Recently AmbaPress.com.au re-issued updated script collections of Hazel's class plays including 'Grief and Loss in Schools' , 'Issues' and 'Workplays' as well as 'Kaleidoscope of Ideas for Gifted students'. Authorpreneurship' and 'Writing for Young People' have been popular.

Hazel writes a new story for each of her four grandsons each birthday. 'Go Go Gecko' is latest and is being translated.

Reviews

[Jasmine Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book which can stimulate further conversation with children about families coping and the effects of drought. See my review on the mums lounge website here http://www.mumslounge.com.au/entertai...
A recitation of this book can be viewed at www.readtomychild.com.au

[Hazel Edwards]

This is NOT a review by the author but by Chris Cheng who reviewed 'Plato the Platypus Plumber (part-time)' on his newkidsbooksinoz blog.
http://newkidsbooksinoz.blogspot.com/...+


Water and a platypus ... that goes together very well.
Plato the platypus plumber is a quirky new picture book from the prolific Hazel Edwards. This platypus is a part time plumber who fixes all manner of water problems for his human friend Zanzibar whose family is repairing a run down house by the creek. When the shower hose in the bath breaks, or when the toilet gets blocked while dad is sitting on it ... it is Zanzibar who swims to the rescue. He also brings other special tools in his tool-kit like Smile Spray for grumpy people. This story, with its well crafted message about the importance of water, and the small side lines about feral animals, drought, and the environment, is a delight.
Also available is the Teachers' Guide and the Classroom Performance Script as free downloads from the website.

[Hazele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because of the eco-theme about water, and a quirky character who is a platypus plumber with a tool kit for also fixing grumpy people, little kids love this picture book. John Petropolous illustrations work well.

Some comments:

'I liked the title Plato the Platypus. The smile spray was really cool and the Feral Cat was good.
Kyle Donohue (Ages 8) Park Orchards Primary (Vic)

Plato the Platypus Plumber is a great book. I like how the part-time platypus is named Plato (after the Greek thinker). The smile spray was a good idea because it actually worked. I need some of it at my house sometimes. When Dad blocked the toilet it was funny.
Liam, Grade 3/4 A (Aged 10)

[Mia Valdez Quellhorst · Rating 3 out of 5]

a little bit all over the place, but overall a cute combination of community-circle-esque morals and some Australian information.

[Dee-Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strange, cute and compelling.