Reviewed by Henricus Peters
For wildlife on the move on our television screens, we might picture zebra and wildebeest sweeping majestically across the African plains – or whales migrating to warmerwaters to mate and give birth. However, there are creatures here in Australia, sometimes rightunder our noses, at other times more distant or hidden, whichare just as crucial to a healthy ecosystem and the naturalorder. This book is about these creatures, both large and small, that make their homes in places that become uncomfortable or even unliveable due to human intervention.
The kangaroos that live on the edge of town and have to cross busy roads, where they can be hit by cars; koalas that used to live in certain trees with hollows in them, but now a new housingdevelopment makes life – and their favourite trees – a challenge to live in, as the chainsaws get closer; the platypus, just trying to get by in a small stream, finds a dry river bed and the pathway it used to climb, now with trees chopped down and blocked by new fencing.
These wild animals are all forced to move – be it for food, shelter, or finding a mate. Though their habitat has been altered, Creature Corridors invites us to contribute to creating wildlife-friendly ways for them to travel those short or long distances by planting trees, by erecting new, simple walkways that animals can traverse at night, or by adding items in our own backyards for reptiles or amphibians such as lizards or frogs to hide in or jump through.
This lovely children’sbook – the first by Early Years educator and writer Billie Rooney – is a finely-balanced menu of useful, informative text and beautiful, fairly realistic vibrant artwork. A richly illustrated, powerful book that will delight and inform every young reader, inspiring them to become aware and help our wildlife on the move.
Billie Rooney , Illustrated by Anke Noack
CSIRO Publishing, 2015
ISBN 978-1486318100
