Where's my baby? by Gregg Dreise

A durable board book this tale encourages readers to look more closely at the offspring of several Australian animals, while learning the Gamilaraay names for each, encouraging children to repeat these new words in the text. In looking for its offspring an animal checks out a range of others. A snake appears on the first double page, but is rejected as this noori is too scaly. Over the page the cheeky face of an emu is shown, but the dinewah is too feathery. Next a koala looks at the reader, but this guda is too fluffy. A turtle is on the following page but warrants are too hard. After looking at several more animals, the mother feels movement in her pouch and by now readers will have guessed that the mother is a kangaroo, and her baby is in her pouch.

A mother searching for her baby underlines the importance of family and connection, of belonging, of the comfort of being together. The animals along with their Gamilaraay words, will delight younger readers, intent on recognising the animal shown and working the new words on their tongues.

Descended from the Kamilaroi and Euahlayi people of south-west Queensland and north-west New South Wales, Greg is a musician, storyteller and illustrator. He sings and tells stories at schools and festivals, and has won awards for his lively stories, Mad magpie and Silly birds. 

More about Greg can be found here.

Themes: Aboriginal themes, Australian animals, Babies, Gamilaraay, Humour.

Fran Knight