Finding Home

by Sandra Markle, Alan Marks (Illustrator)

A remarkable story of survival.

The creators of A MOTHER'S JOURNEY and LITTLE LOST BAT, Sandra Markle and Alan Marks team up again to chronicle the challenges faced by a mother protecting herself and her joey from a raging bushfire, and finding food and a new home after their home range is destroyed. Based on a true story.

Back matter includes facts about koalas, an author's note about Cinders, the real-life koala that survived two bushfires, and resources for learning more about koalas and their habitat.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Nonfiction, Science, Australia, Nature, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Sandra Markle is the author of more than two hundred children's books, which have won numerous awards, including Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book, IRA/CBC Children's Choice, NSTA/CBC Outstanding Trade Books for Children, NCTE Orbis Pictus Recommended, and ALA Notable Books for Children. She lives in Lakewood Ranch, Florida and frequently travels to schools sharing her program "Sandra Markle's Books Are REAL Adventures."

Reviews

[Aneesa]

A sweet story with a scientific bent

[Abigail]

American children's author Sandra Markle and British illustrator Alan Marks join forces in this poignant picture book about a koala mother and her joey who survive a bushfire, and must then find a new home range where they can live. Unable to run very fast, or for very long, the koala mother climbs a tree when the fire comes, and she and her joey get lucky, having chosen a tree beyond a fire break. Climbing down into a burnt out world, the pair begins the long trek to find a place with the eucalyptus trees they eat. Eventually finding themselves in some human suburbs, they must contend with a neighborhood dog, as well as a growing number of curious human observers, until they finally find a new forest to call home...

Finding Home is the third picture book I have read from this author/illustrator team, following upon their Little Lost Bat and Snow School , and might be my favorite of the three! I found the narrative engrossing and very poignant, and was rooting for the mother koala and joey to escape the fire and then find a new home. I have vivid memories of watching news stories about burned and homeless koalas during the 2019 bushfire season, including the one where a woman stripped off her own shirt to safely pick up one of these creatures. As it happens, according to the brief author's note here, Finding Home is based on the real-life story of another koala survivor named Cinders, who famously lived through two bushfires and who wandered through a suburban area before being relocated. The accompanying artwork from Marks, done in watercolor, pen and pencil, was likewise appealing, capturing the appeal of these adorable creatures, and the desolation around them after a fire. Recommended to young animal and nature lovers, and to anyone looking for naturalistic stories about koalas.

[Peacegal]

This wonderfully-illustrated book weaves some real-life experiences and threats to koalas into a narrative of a mother koala's trek to safety with her joey. Brushfires are a major threat to koalas. When they're on the ground, traffic and domestic dogs also present preventable threats. There's a great thought-provoking scene that shows the koala trying to maneuver crowds of curious human onlookers. We often don't think about the effects we can have on wildlife when trying to get that cute photo, but we can unduly stress them and prevent them from finding the food and shelter they need.

[Alex Dennison]

Overall, I thought that this was a really good book, and I especially liked the artwork in it. The style on the pages was very interesting and not like many other books I have seen. I think this would be a really good book for children to read because although it is sad that the forest the koalas live in burnt, the koalas kept on going and were still able to be happy. It makes me think about instances in real life where disasters happen, but people are able to come together and overcome the troubles. It was a great book!

[Rani]

#True #Story of Cinders who survived two forest fires.

[Matthew S. Williams]

Heartwarming this is a story Fictional based on a true story of people who helped out a koala and her cub in a highly populated area This book also talks about sugar gliders Is a very enjoyable book

[Emilee]

This is a nice story book. Best for kids 5 and up, in my opinion.

[Kellee Hao]

Grade: 3rd
The illustration in this book is awesome! It shows the lighting and dimness of the mood, and how each picture can change according to the situation. At the end, the picture is more zoomed in on the koalas' big happy smiles because they have found their homes. This is a great poetry book that can raise the children's attention and can calm them down afterward. This never ending journal of a koala bear's story can educate children and its life struggles of a wild animal.

[Diane]

A mother koala and her joey escape a fire, but are now outside their normal habitat which makes finding food difficult and even dangerous. Luckily, a group of people help the mother and baby find a safe way to cross a highway to get back to their Eucalyptus trees.

According to the author's note, this is based on a real-life koala nicknamed Cinders because she had survived two bushfires. The book also offers additional resources for further reading.

[Charlyn]

When fire destroys a mother koala's habitat, she moves into a more civilized area to hunt for food for herself and her joey. Markle's narrative is complemented by Alan Marks' stellar illustrations. Based on a true story.

[Jennie Park]

This is an inspiring story about a mother koala who sacrifices to save her baby. Many students will be able to make personal connections since they all have somebody that cares for them and loves them dearly.

[Tiffany]

This is based on a true story of a Koala Mother that must make a journey to a new home after a fire has ruined her habitat. It introduces children to where koalas live and what habitats are for animals. It is an enduring story about a mother koala and what they will do for thier children.

[Cana]

Mommy says: Loved this. Based on a true story of a koala and her mama who survive a forest fire by moving into a suburban area for a bit.

[Gina]

The illustrations are lovely and realistic instead of cartoonish. I also enjoyed the story based on Cinders the koala finding a new home range after a bushfire.

[Zonia]

Great non-fiction title.