Two puggles by Michelle Guzel and Andrew Plant

Two Puggles is an appealing picture book about two baby platypuses raised together but who look totally different from each other. One baby has spikes and is named Spike and the other one who has a duckbill is called Ducky. They grow up together doing everything the same but very differently. Spike bobs along on the top of the water whereas Ducky dives deeply into the river. Spike does not like yabbies, but Ducky loves them. Spike is much happier slurping up ants.

One day Spike meets Edna the echidna but is confused and thinks Edna is a platypus just like him. Eventually the confusion is solved, and Spike is lucky to now have two mothers and two sisters.

This is a gentle read about family and accepting differences. The beautiful illustrations will appeal to young children and their adults.

Themes: Family, Australian Animals, Echidna, Platypus, Differences.

Kathryn Beilby