One Potoroo: a story of survival (and lockdown book launches!)

It's August, 2021 and Sydney is in lockdown. Again. 
BUT LOOK - it's a new book! 

August the 2nd was the official release day of my newest picture book, One Potoroo: a story of survival. This beautiful book was published by CSIRO Publishing and illustrated by Western Australian artist, Alicia Rogerson. 
The book tells the story of Australia's most endangered marsupial, the Gilbert's Potoroo and how the actions of conservationists are working to ensure the survival of this unique animal. 

The story of this book began a number of years ago when I picked up a brochure from an Australian Geographic store. 'Hey you, save our potoroo!' the brochure said. It told about a devastating bushfire that had swept through the bush leaving only seven Gilbert's Potoroo remaining in their natural habitat. I began researching the story a little more and soon learned that if it wasn't for the efforts of a dedicated team of conservationists, researchers and volunteers this unique Australian animal might have disappeared altogether. Fascinated by the story, I began to write and One Potoroo is the story that came about.

But how do you launch a book in lockdown? Although there are some wonderful plans in the background, and we're still hopeful they can go ahead, the official release day was a lot different than expected. Locked down at home, I couldn't really throw a party. Still, I wasn't going to let that dampen my excitement for the release of this book. 

So, we made the most of the day, starting with a private little book signing at home. This was photographed by my eleven year old during his break from online-school. 
I then headed out for some essential errands, and took One Potoroo with me, of course! We made sure we remained COVID Safe and checked in wherever we went. 

Back home again, we closed the lockdown school 'canteen' and shared some yummy treats. And of course no book launch would be complete without an author reading. I was thrilled to have such an attentive audience!

One Potoroo: a story of survival is available NOW from your favourite bookshop in store (where you can) or online. Signed copies can be ordered here. Welcome Potoroo!