Willy-willy Wagtail

By Helen Milroy

Illustrated by Helen Milroy

SHORTLISTED, 2021 SPEECH PATHOLOGY AUSTRALIA BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS, EIGHT TO 10 YEARS

Tales from the Bush Mob is a series of books about the Bush Mob, a group of animals that works together to solve problems. A rich landscape of characters and places populate this series and include Platypus, Koala, Emu, Wombat, Kookaburra, Echidna, Kangaroo and Gusto, the wind. Places include Willy Wagtail's Tree, Dingo's Den, Old Billabong, Bird Meeting Place, Cockatoo's Nesting Trees, Top Camp and Emu Race Track.

Willy-willy Wagtail is the first book in the series and goes back to before Bush Mob get together and nobody understands each other — and there are lots of fights. One day there is a terrible bush fire and Willy Wagtail, Gusto (the wind) and Crow get all the Bush Mob to work together to save the community. For the first time, everyone understands each other and Dingo takes charge and leads all the animals to safety. Dingo is now Boss Dog and is head of the Bush Council, with Willy Wagtail and Crow — the Bush Mob is formed.