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Dot and the Kangaroo
Lost and afraid in the darkening bush, Dot is befriended by a kind Kangaroo. She eats the berries of understanding and is then able to communicate with all the bush creatures, who eventually guide her home.
The intriguing tale of DOT AND THE KANGAROO is told by Ethel Pedley with the charm that has made this book an Australian favourite since it was first published in 1899.
'Dot and the Kangaroo is without doubt one of the most charming books that could be put in the hands of a child. It is admirably illustrated by Frank P. Mahony, who seems to have entered thoroughly into the spirit of this beautiful journey into the world of Australia. The story is altogether Australian.' SYDNEY MORNING HERALD 1899
Now, as then, children will be enthralled by this oldest of Australian classics, and it will endure to entertain generations to come.
The intriguing tale of DOT AND THE KANGAROO is told by Ethel Pedley with the charm that has made this book an Australian favourite since it was first published in 1899.
'Dot and the Kangaroo is without doubt one of the most charming books that could be put in the hands of a child. It is admirably illustrated by Frank P. Mahony, who seems to have entered thoroughly into the spirit of this beautiful journey into the world of Australia. The story is altogether Australian.' SYDNEY MORNING HERALD 1899
Now, as then, children will be enthralled by this oldest of Australian classics, and it will endure to entertain generations to come.
135 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1899
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184 people want to read
About the author
Ethel C. Pedley
9 books2 followersEthel Charlotte Pedley was an English-born Australian author and musician. Her children's book Dot and the Kangaroo has become an Australian classic.
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October 9, 2019I watched the movie a million times when I was little, but never knew it was based on a book. It was mostly charming and delightful (it took some off-the-cuff editing when it came to the parts about the indigenous people), and some of the parts were definitely for the amusement of sophisticated adult readers rather than kid listeners (the mock trial and the platypus scenes took required explanation), but it had some great things to say about respecting wildlife and it was scaffolded by lots of magic moments that stick in kids’ brains. (What kid hasn’t wanted to ride in a kangaroo pouch?)
January 8, 2013
A book I’m glad to have read, so that I know I’ve not missed anything, but still, at its core a strangely hollow book. I’m not sure why I enjoyed it as little as a I did. Fantasy stories with talking animals I generally like, so let’s unpick my emotional response.
It has a some racial issues. I mean, its Aboriginal characters are written terribly, even by the standards of its time. Usually that’s not enough to disqualify a book for me, but I’d like to note this book as particularly hostile, for those with greater sensitivity to this issue.
It has this idea in it that learning too much causes indigestion, which seems like anti-intellectualism. I object to anti-intellectualism in children’s books. Being wise is actually OK, and Dot’s…if not stupid, then profoundly incautious, as the author makes clear, in that her wandering off into the bush was incredibly dangerous. She could do with a bit more learning. The kangaroo’s motto seems to be “Never think!” and to just react and feel. Emotively, I feel that’s just a rubbish way of living, little better than being a mollusc, and it is terrible advice to give to small children. Here we may be striking a difference between the author, who sees children basically as ignorant and angelic, and the reader, who thinks children are basically wired to have fun, and are ignorant of consequences.
The book doesn’t accept Australian things in their own terms. The animals all have European eyes when viewing the Platypus for example. He’s a half animal, half bird freak. He’s an oddity. Except of course, to someone who has been raised around platypii, that would not be the case at all. The platypus looks more familiar to me that a beaver does, so when I look at a platypus I don’t think “Oh, it’s back legs are a bit like a beaver.” and I don’t think a Kangaroo should either. It breaks the immersion in the story.
It has a strong pro-conservation message, but coming from a vegetarian family it does seem odd. Dot learns that animals can talk, and so she promises to never hurt bush creatures, or use kangaroo products, or eat kangaroo-tail soup. That’s all well and good, but her family’s sheep? Tough luck Flossie, you’re a rack of ribs. Now my point isn’t to advocate vegetarianism, it’s to note that Dot’s thought processes are not believable. If you shouldn’t kill animals because they can talk after you eat a certain berry, then more power to you, but how do you go back to running a sheep or cattle station? When you are dehorning or castrating or crutching, how can you handle it when you know that the bleat of shock isn’t just a mechanical response from a meat robot, but a sentient creature, presumably indicating it’d prefer you kept your knife further away from its bits?
This review originally appeared on book coasters.
It has a some racial issues. I mean, its Aboriginal characters are written terribly, even by the standards of its time. Usually that’s not enough to disqualify a book for me, but I’d like to note this book as particularly hostile, for those with greater sensitivity to this issue.
It has this idea in it that learning too much causes indigestion, which seems like anti-intellectualism. I object to anti-intellectualism in children’s books. Being wise is actually OK, and Dot’s…if not stupid, then profoundly incautious, as the author makes clear, in that her wandering off into the bush was incredibly dangerous. She could do with a bit more learning. The kangaroo’s motto seems to be “Never think!” and to just react and feel. Emotively, I feel that’s just a rubbish way of living, little better than being a mollusc, and it is terrible advice to give to small children. Here we may be striking a difference between the author, who sees children basically as ignorant and angelic, and the reader, who thinks children are basically wired to have fun, and are ignorant of consequences.
The book doesn’t accept Australian things in their own terms. The animals all have European eyes when viewing the Platypus for example. He’s a half animal, half bird freak. He’s an oddity. Except of course, to someone who has been raised around platypii, that would not be the case at all. The platypus looks more familiar to me that a beaver does, so when I look at a platypus I don’t think “Oh, it’s back legs are a bit like a beaver.” and I don’t think a Kangaroo should either. It breaks the immersion in the story.
It has a strong pro-conservation message, but coming from a vegetarian family it does seem odd. Dot learns that animals can talk, and so she promises to never hurt bush creatures, or use kangaroo products, or eat kangaroo-tail soup. That’s all well and good, but her family’s sheep? Tough luck Flossie, you’re a rack of ribs. Now my point isn’t to advocate vegetarianism, it’s to note that Dot’s thought processes are not believable. If you shouldn’t kill animals because they can talk after you eat a certain berry, then more power to you, but how do you go back to running a sheep or cattle station? When you are dehorning or castrating or crutching, how can you handle it when you know that the bleat of shock isn’t just a mechanical response from a meat robot, but a sentient creature, presumably indicating it’d prefer you kept your knife further away from its bits?
This review originally appeared on book coasters.
July 23, 2023
There are some books that stay in your memory for decades thanks to a teacher who took the time and effort to read it to you when you were oh so very young. For me 'Dot and the Kangaroo' is perhaps the epitome of this; I can still recall sitting on the classroom floor in First Grade at East Maitland Infants School and listening as Miss Shepherd as she read Ethel Pedley's classic Australian children's story to my classmates and I. The nostalgia for what I remembered as a sweet yarn about a lost little girl in the Australian bush and the friendly animals she meets has been strong for years, and now that I'm a much older as well as an English teacher it seemed time to get a copy and read it for myself. And I am so happy that I have done so because this is a truly great book.
The first thing that one notices as you read 'Dot and the Kangaroo' is that for all its colonial era issues (and there are some that is for sure) this is a remarkably progressive text. Pedley wrote a novel that was a cri de coeur for protecting the Australian environment and its animals many, many years before it became an issue for mainstream concern. On almost every page Pedley celebrates the flora, the fauna and the landscape that her characters traverse, and whilst at times it might be a rather rose-tinted European perspective it still calls out to the reader to consider how unique and beautiful this country's environment is. For example, here is what the anthropomorphic Kangaroo tells Dot in Chapter Three:
""See," she said, "how easily one can live in the bush without hurting anyone; and yet Humans live by murdering creatures and devouring them. If they are lost in the scrub they die, because they know no other way to live than that cruel one of destroying us all.""
There is no doubt that 'Dot and the Kangaroo' deserves to be read just on these grounds alone, let alone the others that will be explored as follows. Here is another quote that demonstrates not just Pedley's environmentalist concerns, but also her reminder on how alien and how destructive European perspectives are on Australia:
""That's the way Humans amuse themselves. They write books about things they don't understand, and each new book says all the others are wrong. It's a silly game and very insulting to the creatures they write about. Humans at the other end of the world who never too the trouble to see me, wrote books about me. Those who did come here were more than impudent than those who stayed away. Their idea of learning all about a creature was to dig up its home and frighten it out of its wits and kill it..."." (Chapter Four)
If there is one thing readers will take away from 'Dot and the Kangaroo' it is that the flora, the fauna, the rivers, the bush, the whole system of life on this land is beautifully interconnected, vulnerable to human depredation and needs to be protected.
That Pedley has written a tale about a little girl getting lost in the Australian bush after chasing a hare is just one of the many links between her story and the 'Alice in Wonderland' books of Lewis Carroll. There are other echoes here and there, including berries that help Dot understand what the animals are saying and a rather anarchic episode towards the end of 'Dot and the Kangaroo' that reminds one of the Mad Hatter's Tea Party (more on this later). There's nothing wrong with this, and to be honest if you are going to create a children's story why not look for inspiration from a classic.
On that point it might also be relevant to cite the illustrations of Frank Mahony, included in this edition (and many others reproduced from the 1899 original). Like Tenniel's drawings for 'Alice...' Mahoney's work helps bring the words of Pedley alive, supplementing them most effectively. Some of the artwork is perhaps a little crude or ill-formed but that's fine; it seems appropriate to have a slightly rude aesthetic to the images when one considers the book is set in the Australian bush.
Whilst there is so much to love about 'Dot and the Kangaroo' it must be noted that when it comes to Pedley's depiction of the Aboriginal peoples it is still tarnished by her colonial attitudes. In Chapter Seven she portrays the First Nations' people as primitive, hostile, simple-minded and terrifying, and this is going to jar with anyone who reads this book today. There are other occasions in the novel where she is both less and more bigoted in her writing, yet it can be said that Pedley is looking at the Indigenous Australians not just through the colour lens, but also through the eyes of her anthropomorphised animals. For example:
"It was a terrifying sight to Dot. "Oh Kangaroo" she whispered "they are dreadful, horrid creatures."
"They're just humans," replied the Kangaroo indulgently.
"But white Humans are not like that," said Dot.
"All Humans are the same underneath, they all kill kangaroos,"..."
Pedley's book is also funny in a most surprising way, and there are a few moments in the book where the reader surely must laugh or at least smile knowingly. In Chapter Ten Dot and the Kangaroo meet an emu and aside from the yet more references to the cruelty of man there is some musing on the relationship between this issue and that they "...form part of the Australian Arms." This is followed by a witheringly effective satirical joke from the Emu:
"But the time will come friend, when there will be neither Emu nor Kangaroo for Australia's Arms; no creature will be left to represent the land but the Bunny Rabbit and the Sheep."
Then there is Chapter Eleven, where the animals of the bush convene to put Dot under trial for the crimes of humanity against them. Again there is that dark and tragic undertone of how destructive humans are to the bush creatures, yet Pedley makes this bitter truth more palatable by filling the narrative with some wonderfully funny lines. A Cockatoo is made judge in the trial, and as the animals try to follow the practices of humans the bird is asked if it understands 'human talk'. This is its response:
"My word! yes," replied the Cockatoo, who had been taught in a public refreshment room. Then, thinking that he would give a display of his learning, he elevated his sulphur crest and gabbled off "Go to Jericho! Twenty to one the favourite! I'm your man! Now then, ma'am, hurry up, don;t keep the coach waiting. Give 'em their 'eds, Bill! So long! Ta-ra-ra, boom-di-ay! God save the King!"
This is deliciously funny and Pedley keeps up with the Cockatoo's silliness throughout the chapter. Then she drops this:
""Good!" said the Welcome Swallow; "argued like a lawyer."
At this unexpected turn of the trial, the judge softly whistled to himself, 'Pop Goes the Weasel'.
"Don't talk to us about nature and justice and sense," replied the Pelican contemptuously, "this is a court of law; we have nothing to do with any of them!"."
If you can't laugh at this joke and marvel at Pedley's truly smart writing then I'm sorry, you really are missing out on how good this book is.
There could be lots more said about 'Dot and the Kangaroo' but I will close this review here as the best way for anyone to judge it is to read Pedley's book. I am biased thanks to my aforementioned nostalgia, and yes there are some troublesome segments of her narrative. However, the reason why this novel is considered a canonical piece of Australian literature is because it really is a good read. It deserves to be experienced by kids today just like it was for me all those years ago.
The first thing that one notices as you read 'Dot and the Kangaroo' is that for all its colonial era issues (and there are some that is for sure) this is a remarkably progressive text. Pedley wrote a novel that was a cri de coeur for protecting the Australian environment and its animals many, many years before it became an issue for mainstream concern. On almost every page Pedley celebrates the flora, the fauna and the landscape that her characters traverse, and whilst at times it might be a rather rose-tinted European perspective it still calls out to the reader to consider how unique and beautiful this country's environment is. For example, here is what the anthropomorphic Kangaroo tells Dot in Chapter Three:
""See," she said, "how easily one can live in the bush without hurting anyone; and yet Humans live by murdering creatures and devouring them. If they are lost in the scrub they die, because they know no other way to live than that cruel one of destroying us all.""
There is no doubt that 'Dot and the Kangaroo' deserves to be read just on these grounds alone, let alone the others that will be explored as follows. Here is another quote that demonstrates not just Pedley's environmentalist concerns, but also her reminder on how alien and how destructive European perspectives are on Australia:
""That's the way Humans amuse themselves. They write books about things they don't understand, and each new book says all the others are wrong. It's a silly game and very insulting to the creatures they write about. Humans at the other end of the world who never too the trouble to see me, wrote books about me. Those who did come here were more than impudent than those who stayed away. Their idea of learning all about a creature was to dig up its home and frighten it out of its wits and kill it..."." (Chapter Four)
If there is one thing readers will take away from 'Dot and the Kangaroo' it is that the flora, the fauna, the rivers, the bush, the whole system of life on this land is beautifully interconnected, vulnerable to human depredation and needs to be protected.
That Pedley has written a tale about a little girl getting lost in the Australian bush after chasing a hare is just one of the many links between her story and the 'Alice in Wonderland' books of Lewis Carroll. There are other echoes here and there, including berries that help Dot understand what the animals are saying and a rather anarchic episode towards the end of 'Dot and the Kangaroo' that reminds one of the Mad Hatter's Tea Party (more on this later). There's nothing wrong with this, and to be honest if you are going to create a children's story why not look for inspiration from a classic.
On that point it might also be relevant to cite the illustrations of Frank Mahony, included in this edition (and many others reproduced from the 1899 original). Like Tenniel's drawings for 'Alice...' Mahoney's work helps bring the words of Pedley alive, supplementing them most effectively. Some of the artwork is perhaps a little crude or ill-formed but that's fine; it seems appropriate to have a slightly rude aesthetic to the images when one considers the book is set in the Australian bush.
Whilst there is so much to love about 'Dot and the Kangaroo' it must be noted that when it comes to Pedley's depiction of the Aboriginal peoples it is still tarnished by her colonial attitudes. In Chapter Seven she portrays the First Nations' people as primitive, hostile, simple-minded and terrifying, and this is going to jar with anyone who reads this book today. There are other occasions in the novel where she is both less and more bigoted in her writing, yet it can be said that Pedley is looking at the Indigenous Australians not just through the colour lens, but also through the eyes of her anthropomorphised animals. For example:
"It was a terrifying sight to Dot. "Oh Kangaroo" she whispered "they are dreadful, horrid creatures."
"They're just humans," replied the Kangaroo indulgently.
"But white Humans are not like that," said Dot.
"All Humans are the same underneath, they all kill kangaroos,"..."
Pedley's book is also funny in a most surprising way, and there are a few moments in the book where the reader surely must laugh or at least smile knowingly. In Chapter Ten Dot and the Kangaroo meet an emu and aside from the yet more references to the cruelty of man there is some musing on the relationship between this issue and that they "...form part of the Australian Arms." This is followed by a witheringly effective satirical joke from the Emu:
"But the time will come friend, when there will be neither Emu nor Kangaroo for Australia's Arms; no creature will be left to represent the land but the Bunny Rabbit and the Sheep."
Then there is Chapter Eleven, where the animals of the bush convene to put Dot under trial for the crimes of humanity against them. Again there is that dark and tragic undertone of how destructive humans are to the bush creatures, yet Pedley makes this bitter truth more palatable by filling the narrative with some wonderfully funny lines. A Cockatoo is made judge in the trial, and as the animals try to follow the practices of humans the bird is asked if it understands 'human talk'. This is its response:
"My word! yes," replied the Cockatoo, who had been taught in a public refreshment room. Then, thinking that he would give a display of his learning, he elevated his sulphur crest and gabbled off "Go to Jericho! Twenty to one the favourite! I'm your man! Now then, ma'am, hurry up, don;t keep the coach waiting. Give 'em their 'eds, Bill! So long! Ta-ra-ra, boom-di-ay! God save the King!"
This is deliciously funny and Pedley keeps up with the Cockatoo's silliness throughout the chapter. Then she drops this:
""Good!" said the Welcome Swallow; "argued like a lawyer."
At this unexpected turn of the trial, the judge softly whistled to himself, 'Pop Goes the Weasel'.
"Don't talk to us about nature and justice and sense," replied the Pelican contemptuously, "this is a court of law; we have nothing to do with any of them!"."
If you can't laugh at this joke and marvel at Pedley's truly smart writing then I'm sorry, you really are missing out on how good this book is.
There could be lots more said about 'Dot and the Kangaroo' but I will close this review here as the best way for anyone to judge it is to read Pedley's book. I am biased thanks to my aforementioned nostalgia, and yes there are some troublesome segments of her narrative. However, the reason why this novel is considered a canonical piece of Australian literature is because it really is a good read. It deserves to be experienced by kids today just like it was for me all those years ago.
December 4, 2022
I really enjoyed the film (say enjoyed - was scarred for life but remember it fondly) and so was interested to read the source material. In all honesty as a teacher I enjoy the information of Australian animals for children to read in an accessible way but I feel the film had a much more emotional impact (and a better ending hahaha).
August 22, 2016
Dot had such an adventure.
August 26, 2023
Wonderful little book. A great 4 hours before final exam speed read moment
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May 15, 2025a charming aussie classic containing elements that are unmistakably a product of its time and thus should be approached with an understanding of the cultural and historical context. always was and always will be Aboriginal land.
“Look here!" she said, pausing on a big boulder that hung right over the gully, "we have made a history book for ourselves out of these rocks; and so long as these rocks last, long, long after the time when there will be no more kangaroos, and no more humans, the sun, and the moon, and the stars will look down upon what we have traced on these stones.”
“See," she said, "how easily one can live in the bush without hurting anyone; and yet Humans live by murdering creatures and devouring them. If they are lost in the scrub they die, because they know no other way to live than that cruel one of destroying us all. Humans have become so cruel that they kill, and kill, not even for food, but for the love of murdering. I often wonder," she said, "why they and the dingos are allowed to live on this beautiful kind earth.”
“Humans at the other end of the world, who, never took the trouble to come here to see me, wrote books about me. Those who did come were more impudent than those who stayed away. Their idea of learning all about a creature was to dig up its home, and frighten it out of its wits, and kill it; and after a few moons of that sort of foolery they claimed to know all about us. Us! whose ancestors knew the world millions of years before the ignorant Humans came on the earth at all!"
“That is the beauty of it all," said the Kangaroo, "the Platypus is so learned and so instructive, that no one tries to understand it; it is not expected that anyone should.”
“Don't talk to us about nature and justice and sense," replied the Pelican, contemptuously. "This is a Court of law, we have nothing to do with any of them!”
“Dot has often wondered why the Kangaroo would not understand, but, remembering what that considerate animal had said when she first gave her the berries, she is inclined to think that the Kangaroo is afraid of her learning too much, and thereby getting indigestion.”
“Look here!" she said, pausing on a big boulder that hung right over the gully, "we have made a history book for ourselves out of these rocks; and so long as these rocks last, long, long after the time when there will be no more kangaroos, and no more humans, the sun, and the moon, and the stars will look down upon what we have traced on these stones.”
“See," she said, "how easily one can live in the bush without hurting anyone; and yet Humans live by murdering creatures and devouring them. If they are lost in the scrub they die, because they know no other way to live than that cruel one of destroying us all. Humans have become so cruel that they kill, and kill, not even for food, but for the love of murdering. I often wonder," she said, "why they and the dingos are allowed to live on this beautiful kind earth.”
“Humans at the other end of the world, who, never took the trouble to come here to see me, wrote books about me. Those who did come were more impudent than those who stayed away. Their idea of learning all about a creature was to dig up its home, and frighten it out of its wits, and kill it; and after a few moons of that sort of foolery they claimed to know all about us. Us! whose ancestors knew the world millions of years before the ignorant Humans came on the earth at all!"
“That is the beauty of it all," said the Kangaroo, "the Platypus is so learned and so instructive, that no one tries to understand it; it is not expected that anyone should.”
“Don't talk to us about nature and justice and sense," replied the Pelican, contemptuously. "This is a Court of law, we have nothing to do with any of them!”
“Dot has often wondered why the Kangaroo would not understand, but, remembering what that considerate animal had said when she first gave her the berries, she is inclined to think that the Kangaroo is afraid of her learning too much, and thereby getting indigestion.”
February 26, 2022
I think the critics are being too harsh of this story. If you put it into context in the time it was set, I am sure Ethel Pedley was using language of the time and did not realise its harm. Thankfully we know better now of racial issues and how language can be harmful.
I read this book as a young child in the 70’s and was similar to how I grew up in bush Australia. It did not sway my attitude to be a racist but it sure did influence my respect for nature and our traditional custodians.
I read this book as a young child in the 70’s and was similar to how I grew up in bush Australia. It did not sway my attitude to be a racist but it sure did influence my respect for nature and our traditional custodians.
May 29, 2022
Lost in the bush, Dot is befriended by a kangaroo and learns to respect animals.
August 28, 2024
This is one of the best pieces of children's literature I have ever read. Although the story is quite simple—a little girl named Dot gets lost in the forest and is helped by a native wild animal, the kangaroo, which is also a symbol of Australia—the journey to find her way home offers a profound perspective on being human and how we share this planet with other creatures. As I mentioned, the plot is straightforward, and readers might easily predict the ending. However, there are many fascinating elements woven into the narrative. For example, the magical berries enable Dot to understand and communicate with animals, a secret known only to the animals because they don’t want humans to learn too much about them. The author also educates us about native Australian wildlife, describing the appearance, habits, and diets of marsupials like the platypus, koala, and opossum, as well as birds such as the emu, magpie, cockatoo, kookaburra, and welcome swallow. By the end of the book, I found myself far more knowledgeable about Australian animals and birds than I was before, which clearly aligns with the author's intent and the book's primary purpose. According to Wikipedia, "Pedley was a believer in the conservation of Australian flora and fauna," which now makes perfect sense.
Another aspect that impressed me was Ethel Pedley’s writing style. Typically, I find lengthy landscape descriptions tedious, but not in this book. Her descriptions are beautifully crafted, vividly bringing the Australian bush in Victoria during winter to life, making readers feel as though they are right there with Dot and the kangaroo. The songs she included are also marvellous, filled with rhythm and charm, which is unsurprising given her background in music.
This book is one I would highly recommend to anyone interested in learning more about Australia and to all children. I want them to metaphorically "eat the berries" that the kangaroo gave to Dot—represented by this book—so they can understand and empathise with wild animals, fostering a sense of kindness and finding ways to coexist peacefully in this world.
Another aspect that impressed me was Ethel Pedley’s writing style. Typically, I find lengthy landscape descriptions tedious, but not in this book. Her descriptions are beautifully crafted, vividly bringing the Australian bush in Victoria during winter to life, making readers feel as though they are right there with Dot and the kangaroo. The songs she included are also marvellous, filled with rhythm and charm, which is unsurprising given her background in music.
This book is one I would highly recommend to anyone interested in learning more about Australia and to all children. I want them to metaphorically "eat the berries" that the kangaroo gave to Dot—represented by this book—so they can understand and empathise with wild animals, fostering a sense of kindness and finding ways to coexist peacefully in this world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2018
Gah, I don't know what to do. You're damned if you do, damned if you don't with this one. Ethel Pedley's work has not survived the last 30 years with as much affection as her fellow children's writer, Ethel Turner (of Seven Little Australians). Her book is not terribly PC, what with its pick-and-choose conservation messages (love kangaroos! but keep farming animals for slaughter who don't really suit the landscape!), superficial Aboriginal stereotypes, and somewhat old-fashioned approach to children's morality that would have been perfectly at home in the 1890s but less so now. However, from a historian's perspective, this was a hugely influential work for a few generations of children, and a book that asked for children to understand Australia on its terms, not those of the British. Of course, I appreciate that Pedley is subconsciously still pushing a pro-British angle, but I'd like to think a child can still enjoy the tale of young Dot.
October 8, 2017
Somewhat cute historical children's story with some engaging and humorous characters. Slightly marred by out of date racial and religious remarks. Writing style is also much too verbose and sentences far too long for young readers. Numerous historical references will need explanation for young listeners of today. It is a bit heavy-handed in shaming humans for wrongdoings to bush creatures, presenting a very unbalanced view of human use of animals, even with regard to Aboriginal people. It's goal is clearly to encourage children to protect native wildlife from cruelty and exploitation but it encourages children to see themselves as powerless outsiders - voyeurs of nature, not an informed ally and custodian of it.
July 6, 2021
Dot and the Kangaroo is an Australian children's classic written 122 years ago. After growing up watching the 1977 movie of the same name, this is my first time reading the book itself. From when Dot gets lost and meets the kangaroo, followed by Dot's experiences with all the creatures of the bush, it is truly a delight. 4 stars.
December 23, 2022
Haha, kind of accurate though.
Mum sent this to me because I use to love the cartoons, though they changed the look of Dot in them.
Weird little story on Dots adventure to find her home again, nothing really happens or comes from the court of mostly birds, but it's a funny viewpoint of our legal system.
Mum sent this to me because I use to love the cartoons, though they changed the look of Dot in them.
Weird little story on Dots adventure to find her home again, nothing really happens or comes from the court of mostly birds, but it's a funny viewpoint of our legal system.
February 19, 2021
Charming book and revolutionary for its conservation message but sadly of its time on not understanding that Indigenous Australians were not as depicted and far better at managing the environment than white Australians. I found a 1913 edition at a garage sale
September 30, 2020
This is a very cute book. I really enjoyed it.
February 8, 2021
3.5 ⭐️Es un cuento lindo con una moraleja muy importante, y aunque fuera cortito me sorprendió que me haya costado un poco de trabajo terminarlo.
March 12, 2021
Taught some good lessons. I was torn between giving it 3 or 4 starts so either fits... I really like this over modern kids books, but a few chapters were a little less engaging is all...
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May 31, 2021Unrated. Contains racist language. Not as good as I remember the film to be sadly.
June 21, 2021
Had to read this for uni, never again.
January 17, 2024
A heartwarming & nostalgic favourite. Loved watching the film as a child, and still do. Was excited to be gifted this book to keep as a treasure.
January 20, 2025
A wonderful children's story about a lost little girl that is found by a kangaroo.
December 10, 2016
After little Dot get lost in the bush in outback Australia, an adventure begins. She is rescued by a Kangaroo and given magic berries that allow her to speak to and understand the bush animals. Follow Dot and the Kangaroo as they meet and learn from a huge array of Australian animals.
Filled with wonderful descriptions and beautiful illustrations, Dot and the Kangaroo is truely a beautiful book.
As this book was written in the late 1800's it does have some content that may cause offence when read now. As an adult who knew the publication era of this book before I read it, I wasn't at all put out or offended in anyway. I know that this book garnered some criticism when it was released due to its negative stance on human interference in the bush. But as a book written with only a little girl and animals as its characters I'm not sure what people expected. The negativity towards humans didn't bother me one but.
I found myself far more interested in the amazing story and intriguing interactions between Dot and the animals to even care about the undertow of negativity.
I whole heartedly believe that this amazingly magical storie should be read by all children. Although you may want to read it for yourself before reading it to or with your kids, just in case.
Overall Ethel C. Pedley did an amazing job with this book, bringing the world of bush animals into focus and leaving the reader with a smile on their face and a warm fuzzy feeling in their chest.
This is a must read for all Australians.
Written by Geramie Kate Barker
https://gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
Filled with wonderful descriptions and beautiful illustrations, Dot and the Kangaroo is truely a beautiful book.
As this book was written in the late 1800's it does have some content that may cause offence when read now. As an adult who knew the publication era of this book before I read it, I wasn't at all put out or offended in anyway. I know that this book garnered some criticism when it was released due to its negative stance on human interference in the bush. But as a book written with only a little girl and animals as its characters I'm not sure what people expected. The negativity towards humans didn't bother me one but.
I found myself far more interested in the amazing story and intriguing interactions between Dot and the animals to even care about the undertow of negativity.
I whole heartedly believe that this amazingly magical storie should be read by all children. Although you may want to read it for yourself before reading it to or with your kids, just in case.
Overall Ethel C. Pedley did an amazing job with this book, bringing the world of bush animals into focus and leaving the reader with a smile on their face and a warm fuzzy feeling in their chest.
This is a must read for all Australians.
Written by Geramie Kate Barker
https://gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
November 6, 2021
This story is my favorite childhood story and is the reason I care for nature as I do today; it completely fascinated me and left me in a sort of haunted love with all things Australian. The idea of being carried around in a kangaroo’s pouch, magic berries that allow you to speak to animals, being chased by a pack of dingos, and all the mysterious creatures of the Australian outback - it was like Alice in Wonderland but with an element of actual danger that up until that point I had probably been shielded from. I remembered nothing of racism as would be expected I suppose, but I must say that even now rereading it I don’t find it as racist as a perusal through Goodreads comments lead me to expect. If anything I found that the author was much harder on the White settlers than the indigenous peoples of Australia. Then again perhaps it is just the differentiation between the two that gives it that racist quality, but you have to understand this was written from the perspective of the animals who know nothing of race but simply measure humans by the danger they pose.
I read this to my almost 6 year old son who was mesmerized with the kangaroo chase, the Bunyip, the platypus and Willie Wagtail chapters, but tended to get lost/bored during the bird dancing and animal court scenes. Nonetheless…the final chapter and closing brought him back to the story completely. It is wonderful.
I've added this to one of my "Read a Book from each Decade" challenges.
To see it, visit:
https://waterbearreads.com/swans-and-...
I read this to my almost 6 year old son who was mesmerized with the kangaroo chase, the Bunyip, the platypus and Willie Wagtail chapters, but tended to get lost/bored during the bird dancing and animal court scenes. Nonetheless…the final chapter and closing brought him back to the story completely. It is wonderful.
I've added this to one of my "Read a Book from each Decade" challenges.
To see it, visit:
https://waterbearreads.com/swans-and-...
April 21, 2014
Still a lovely, heartwarming story about unconditional kindness towards others, especially animals. After reading some of the reviews here (again!), I was expecting more racism towards the Aboriginals than there actually was. The animals are describing ALL humans as being cruel and stupid; not just the Blacks.
It's a nice story for children in an uncomplicated way, but also in a way that teaches them to have respect for animals and appreciate the beauty of nature. It's also very suitable for adults; I was astonished when the Platypus suddenly burst into song about certain aspects of Natural History. The author seemed very well informed on the matter (especially regarding the time it was written in)which was a delightful surprise for me!
All in all, a good read with elements of adventure, excitement, sadness and laughter, plus a nice bonus if you're interested in the Australian Bush/wildlife. Now if only someone knew where to find those berries of Understanding...
It's a nice story for children in an uncomplicated way, but also in a way that teaches them to have respect for animals and appreciate the beauty of nature. It's also very suitable for adults; I was astonished when the Platypus suddenly burst into song about certain aspects of Natural History. The author seemed very well informed on the matter (especially regarding the time it was written in)which was a delightful surprise for me!
All in all, a good read with elements of adventure, excitement, sadness and laughter, plus a nice bonus if you're interested in the Australian Bush/wildlife. Now if only someone knew where to find those berries of Understanding...
April 13, 2017
MMD Reading Challenge 2017- For Fun
Category: Book set in a place you've never been/want to visit
Back to the Classics Reading Challenge 2017
Category: Book about an animal/or animal in Title
I'm giving this book 4 stars. I enjoyed it so much. Dot gets lost in the Australian Bush and is befriended by a Kangaroo. She meets many creatures while trying to find her way back home. I loved the descriptions of the Bush and the creatures that live there. This is a really good children's book, and the only problem I had with it is that all humans are demonized. There is no distinction made between poachers and those who hunt for food. I have always wanted visit Australia, even though some things about Australia terrify me, for example, killer spiders. I actually used to watch the Dot movies when I was a kid. I had no idea that it was based on this book until I was looking for books to read for the Challenges. I'm really glad I found it!
Category: Book set in a place you've never been/want to visit
Back to the Classics Reading Challenge 2017
Category: Book about an animal/or animal in Title
I'm giving this book 4 stars. I enjoyed it so much. Dot gets lost in the Australian Bush and is befriended by a Kangaroo. She meets many creatures while trying to find her way back home. I loved the descriptions of the Bush and the creatures that live there. This is a really good children's book, and the only problem I had with it is that all humans are demonized. There is no distinction made between poachers and those who hunt for food. I have always wanted visit Australia, even though some things about Australia terrify me, for example, killer spiders. I actually used to watch the Dot movies when I was a kid. I had no idea that it was based on this book until I was looking for books to read for the Challenges. I'm really glad I found it!
March 9, 2011
I adored the animated adaptation of this book when I was little -- I had no idea it was written in 1899. A young Australian girl named dot becomes lost in the Bush and is rescued by a kangaroo, who gives her some magic berries that allow her to speak with the animals and takes her on a wild adventure through the Outback. The story is impossibly charming, and I loved the way the author gave each animal a distinct personality based on its natural habits--the motherly kangaroo, the quirky kookaburra, the loquacious (and musical!) platypus, the loud and gossipy bowerbirds.... The only aspect of the story that truly dated it was its less-than-PC treatment of the native people of Australia.
Remember, "don't eat any strange berries in the bush, unless a Kangaroo brings them to you."
Remember, "don't eat any strange berries in the bush, unless a Kangaroo brings them to you."
January 4, 2015
I loved the animated Dot movies as a younger lass (I confess that the "Dot and the Whale" movie remains a perennial favorite), but I had no idea "Dot and the Kangaroo" was based on a book written back in 1899. A lovely little tale full of very clear, Bambi-style messaging about conservation and the proper treatment of our animal friends. While cute enough for a youth to read, there are funny moments for adults as well (as well as some awkward writing about Aboriginals, but that doesn't wholly undermine the book). No kangaroo rugs! No kangaroo tail soup!
July 5, 2016
It is customary these days to jump on anything which is even slightly un-PC, but I really dislike that. It's too easy to criticise this story's colonial context, and consequently deem it unacceptable.
The reason this book *is* worth the read (especially for kids) is it's portrayal of Australian native animals, and the emphasis on caring for natural heritage, which is important for kids to learn. All humans (of all colours) are demonised, but on the basis of their treatment of native animals, nothing more.
The reason this book *is* worth the read (especially for kids) is it's portrayal of Australian native animals, and the emphasis on caring for natural heritage, which is important for kids to learn. All humans (of all colours) are demonised, but on the basis of their treatment of native animals, nothing more.
August 25, 2016
A sweet cautionary tale about Dot, a little girl who gets lost in the bush of Australia. She is befriended by a grieving mother kangaroo who has lost her joey. After eating some berries Dot is able to communicate with the animals and they with her. This book was written long before political correctness was the norm but it is essentially a view from the animal kingdom as to how humans were blindly destroying the habitat and the creatures who occupy it.
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