Found in only one place on Earth - the Southern Alps in south-east Australia - the mountain pygmy-possum is a very special little creature with a very big story to tell. Each year an amazing narrative plays out that has to be read to be believed.
High in the mountains, a little pygmy-possum must feast on enough bogong moths to survive the perilous winter when it will hide away under the snow in a nest made of moss, grass and leaves where it will rest, sleep and breed. If it can survive the harsh winter and avoid feral cats and foxes then it may just live to see another year. But will the moths make it back, with light pollution an increasing distraction, nothing is certain…
Written by former zoologist and zookeeper, Julie Murphy, and beautifully illustrated by Ben Clifford - I fell in love with ‘Tiny Possum’ as soon as I lay eyes on the front cover, Tiny Possum and the Migrating Moths is an informative non-fiction narrative that brings some much needed attention to the plight of the critically endangered mountain pygmy-possum.
The story focuses on the precious relationship between the marsupial and the bogong moth, the moth is an essential food source for the pygmy-possum and the need to feast on enough of them in the warmer months is necessary in order to survive the cold, harsh months of winter. There is so much to learn about this tiny and fascinating creature and throughout the course of the year we are privy to its unique diet, breeding habits, the place it calls home and the threats it faces to not only its short term survival but also its long term future.
Additional content provides further insight into the mountain pygmy-possum’s life and the actions that are being taken to help protect them. For those that live on the bogong moths flight-path something as simple as turning off the light could be the difference as to whether or not the pygmy-possums food source arrives and ultimately whether or not these fabulous animals survive. Wonderfully educational and highly engaging, children will thoroughly enjoy delving into the life of this adorable tiny possum and learning about its incredible life and yearly battle to survive. With huge thanks to CSIRO Publishing for the copy I received in exchange for an honest review. Recommended for 6+.
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