About this item
Did you know it's the emu father who protects the chicks? Follow a doting dad as he keeps his brood safe - from when they're granite-green eggs until they're all grown up.In the open eucalyptus forest of Australia, an emu as tall as a human settles down on his nest to warm and protect the eggs left by his mate. When they hatch, the chicks will be ten times bigger than domestic chicken hatchlings and covered in chocolate-and-cream stripes to provide camouflage in the grasslands. This unusual family sticks together until the hatchlings grow up, facing dangers that include eagles and dingoes. Ornithologically inclined youngsters will delight in this visually striking chronicle full of fun emu facts.
About the Author
I was born in Melbourne, grew up in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and Papua New Guinea. No less than eight schools across three education systems had the pleasure of contributing to my learning. I have four brothers and three sons. I spent several years living on a sheep and wheat farm, surrounded by sheep, pigs, hens, dogs, cats, mice, birds, the odd snake or three and more than one variety of spider. I now live in a house that has been home to fish, guinea pigs, rabbits, ferrets, hens and dogs. I have been writing for children since 1998. Before that I wrote adult short stories (badly) and poetry (published throughout Australia) . When I began writing for children, I felt I'd come home. I now write full time, conduct author visits and run workshops in schools throughout Australia.
