Helen Milroy, Mysterious Mole & Old Croc, Magabala Books, September 2024, 64 pp., RRP $19.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781922777119
Old Croc loves his billabong, sunning himself on the bank and then swimming in the warm waters during the day. But when a drought comes, he finds his billabong crowded with animals looking for water. When Old Croc rescues Molly Mole from a near drowning in the river, they become firm friends and hatch a plan to build their own billabong together. Things do not go quite to plan, but when the animals come together and work as a team, they find a solution.
This is a very long picture book, stretching to 64 pages with large sections of text on every spread. Very young readers may find it difficult to follow the story arc and maintain focus. The illustrations are a highlight of this picture book and carry the narrative. Digitally created, the colours are dense and bright, depicting plenty of movement.
Helen Milroy is a prolific First Nation’s children’s author and illustrator, having published at least 15 children’s books published. Mysterious Mole & Old Croc is the fifth book in the Tales from the Bush Mob series, although it successfully stands alone.
This series is filled with native Australian animals, and in this story the reader will meet no less than 20 different ones. An introductory page challenges the reader to locate them throughout the book.
Dedicated teacher notes will be on the Magabala Books website at some stage, but are not yet available.
Recommended for 6+
Reviewed by Bronwyn Joseph
