Honey Possum's bush cafe by Kristin Martin & Bianca Richardson

This wonderful book by two South Australian creators, Martin and Richardson, will encourage children to see how important it is for us all to care for the bush. This second story in the series Easter Bilby’s Friends, will be readily adopted by a class looking at Easter, the environment and Australian flora and fauna. By posing a problem that the Easter Billy must solve, readers will be encouraged to think about the solutions for themselves. 

Three rhyming stanzas introduce us to the Bilby, the animal who has taken over from the Easter Bunny, after a selection process necessitated by the rabbit’s age. The Easter Bilby only works on one day of the year, at Easter, but he helps others throughout the year, his kindness knowing no bounds. The Bilby delivers eggs all over Australia; city, bush, beach, and finally his friends at the Bush Cafe. At the cafe he gives out the eggs and is invited to stay on for the Grand Opening. But Honey Possum bursts into tears, pointing out that the wild rabbits have eaten all the food between the families’ homes and the Bush Cafe. Easter Bilby has an idea, he will deliver seeds and plants to all the animals in the area. And soon there were bushes and trees dotting the landscape, offering food and shelter for all animals, enabling their trip to the cafe.

In this way, children are encouraged to look more closely at their environment; what did it look like before it was covered with houses? What flora and fauna lived here which is no longer seen? What animals are seen today and are they native animals?

Remnant vegetation supports native animals, including insects and birds, and can be sometimes found in suburbs. Sometimes local councils actively support remnant vegetation and native plants and animals.

This book will support kids' questions and thoughts about their environment, and the cute illustrations will provoke readers to look more closely at the animals, supported by information given at the end of the book. Activities and teacher's notes are available from the publisher.

Themes: Environment, Australian flora and fauna, Honey possum, Easter bilby, Easter, Cafe.

Fran Knight