Customer Reviews

Finding Home

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A hot spring breeze tinged with the smell of smoke swept through the trees, waking the koala. September was springtime in New South Wales, Australia. She could smell the smoke and her nine-month-old female joey climbed on her back. Animals began to flee the fire, but she was much slower than they were. The birds flew above and beyond the smoke. "Kangaroos and wallabies thunder past their tree." It was a mad dash to escape, but the slow-moving koala and her joey had no where to go but up, hoping to escape the inferno. "Fire sweeps though the forest-crackling, snapping roaring." Up and up she climbed.

The koala did not escape unscathed and had a "burned patched on her back." Her joey, however, was safe because she had cuddled her between her chest and the tree trunk. The forest was charred and she had to move on. She was in need of food and now had to travel. The carried her joey on her back until she became too heavy to carry and she shook him off. Her search would pit her against a dog and land her in the midst of civilization. They were as surprised to see her and her baby as much as she was to see them. The crowds would gather to see them. Would they find food and a forever home to live in?

This book was a solid "WOW" story from start to finish. The story, based on the real life adventures of Cinders, a koala who "survived two bushfires," was fascinating. The marvelous art work makes it even more amazing. There is a brief biography of Cinders in the back of the book and some additional recommended books and web sites are listed. This book, understandably, has been nominated for a Red Clover award in Vermont.