Stripes in the forest: The story of the last wild thylacine by Aleesah Darlison

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Big Sky Publishing, 2016. ISBN 9781925275711
Reviewed by Kylie Kempster
(Age: All) Highly recommended. Stripes in the forest is a mesmerising picture book with a simple message of lost wildlife due to colonisation. The main character is a female thylacine, an Australian native mammal. This species was last seen in Australia in 1936. The story sees the female and her pups living in peace until Europeans arrive and start hunting them. The story is told from the female's perspective as she hides from the hunters, watches the hunters, sees her mate die and gives birth to more pups. The last images show more modern images. Was our female thylacine the last of her kind?
This simple story is powerful and is a great way to show children the consequences of settling new areas and countries. The text will evoke emotions of sadness as the animals run for their life, as a mate dies and as they lose their home. The final events will evoke happiness and wonder. This book is highly recommended for all readers whether being read with an adult or independently (aged 8+).
Kylie Kempster

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