Puggle

Catriona Hoy (author)

Andrew Plant (illustrator)

Working Title Press, Australia: 2010

ISBN: 9781921504013

Genres: picture book. non-fiction, factual text

Issues: animal protection, environment

Puggle is a baby echidna being raised by a wildlife carer after the death of his mother. This very simple recount, based on a true story, follows the efforts Puggle's carer, Sue, has to make in order to successfully raise such an immature echidna.

The passage of time – the time it takes Puggle to go from a sightless, grey-skinned vulnerable baby to an adult echidna – is cleverly shown by the number of other animals that pass through Sue's healing hands. Also good for teaching about Australian animals, Puggle clearly demonstrates the responsibility humans have for the wildlife affected by loss of habitat or having to live too close to humans. Snakes, a wallaby, baby birds, a turtle with a cracked shell, a magpie, a koala – these are just some of the other animals Sue cares for during the time it takes her to raise Puggle to adulthood.

Andrew Plant's acrylic illustrations are very realistic, allowing the reader to identify animals easily and giving a wonderful insight into the different growth phases of an echidna. The combination of simple, factual text and accurate, affectionate illustrations makes this picture book accessible to pre-school children as well – once an adult has read them the story a few times they should be able to tell the story easily from the pictures.

Given the fragile nature of our ecology, it is never too early to begin to educate young Australians about the wildlife that are unique to our land.

Like this? Try Silver Stream, Snug As a Hug, The Best Beak In Boonaroo Bay, Turtle Taxi and Bush Babies.