Koala: The Story of Australia's Native Bear

by Charles L. Barrett

A useful introduction to the popular Australian icon, Koala: The Story of Australia's Native Bear offers a brief history on its first discovery and published reference by European settlers, the fur trade and resulting outcry to prevent its extinction, and the koala's place of importance in Aboriginal folklore. Scientific facts about the koala's characteristics, traits, and temperament are discussed. Barrett's affection for the animal comes through in his numerous references to its delightful qualities-whether in describing the little orphan koala Edward at the breakfast table, or in interspersing text with comparisons to the beloved teddy bear-thus cementing the koala as one of the most revered creatures known to man. This timeless reference book has become a classic for all ages, and a valuable addition to the bookshelf of any nature enthusiast or collector of arcane Australiana. This title is a republication of the second edition, originally published in 1937.

48 pages, Paperback

First published December 13, 2008

About the author

Charles Leslie Barrett (1879-1959), naturalist and journalist, was born on 26 June 1879 at Hawthorn, Victoria.

Also wrote under the name Donald Barr.

He wrote in the New Idea a series of pleasant articles entitled 'Our bush hut on Olinda'. These became the subject of his first book, From Range to Sea: A Bird Lover's Ways (1907), a sensitive group of essays that led to many other writings on natural history.

Meanwhile in 1906 Barrett had joined the staff of the Melbourne Herald and for the next thirty-three years informed the public on natural history matters through feature articles, answers to correspondents, and books such as the Sun nature and travel books, edited by him and published under the auspices of the Herald and Weekly Times Ltd.
- Australian Dictionary of Biography