Bilby: Secrets of an Australian Marsupial

Nature Storybooks

by Edel Wignell, Mark Jackson (Illustrations)

Everyone has heard of kangaroos and koalas. Now meet the bilby, an endangered Australian marsupial with silky fur, long ears, and bright eyes.

In the hostile Australian desert, a mother bilby gives birth to a baby. Nestled in a burrow deep underground, she cares for her little one. Soon he must grow up and learn to survive in a harsh environment. Nature-loving readers can follow the story of this elusive marsupial, learning its secrets even as it burrows out of sight.

Genres: Nonfiction, Picture Books, Animals, Australia, Childrens, Science

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2011

About the author

Edel Wignell is a writer, journalist, and poet who has published more than ninety books for children and adults. She is interested in endangered animals worldwide, and her favorite is the bilby. Edel Wignell lives in Australia.

Reviews

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bilby- Secrets of an Australian Marsupial by Edel Wignell, illustrated by Mark Jackson – non-fiction – 2nd grade and up – Really enjoyed reading this beautiful flowing story about a creature I barely ever heard of before… a tail with a barb, digging tunnels, baby care, and more, just fascinating. Also appreciate the organization of the book with extra tidbits of informationsnuck on some pages in italics and an index at the back… just a wonderful non-fiction animal addition to the collection.

[Annaleise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best illustrations I've seen in a while, I absolutely loved the depictions of the Australian landscape and animals. The book is also educational about the bilby and various other Australian animals.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jacob read to mom..krb 7/10/16

[Taylor Maiese · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly before reading this book I never heard of a Bilby before. This book was interesting to me because I learned about an animal I never heard of or knew existed. I was intrigued to read this because of the picture on the front cover it drew me to the book. I love reading how a mother Bilby burrows deep into the ground to raise her children and care for them. This book opened my eyes to a whole new animal and how they live and survive. It is a very good and interesting read.

[Abby Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is great to show a new animal to kids. When learning about Marsupials it may be difficult to see what exactly they are and this book serves to ensure kids of how The bilby lives and tries to grow up in such harsh conditions

[Olivia Aponte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bilvy teaches students about the life of an Australian marsupial. It gives the reader an insight into a marsupial's life by teaching us bow the dig tunnels, eat, and take care of their young. The illustrations throughout are great and show the colors of an Australian desert.

[Alexis Zappitelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an informational picture book about some cool facts about the not so known marsupial, Bilby. It shares many secrets including some survival skills, and behavior patterns. If you are somebody who likes animals then this is a book that is great for you!

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an informative book on a native Australian animal that is currently facing extinction. The illustrations were lovely. But, I found the text a little dry for keeping the attention for young children.

[Taylor Tomb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bilby is about a mouse who raises her children and survives to give her babies what she needs. you learn a lot about the survival of animals and how the things they must do to survive.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Walker Nature Storybooks edition. Poetic narrative with expository facts on every page, accompanied by simply beautiful illustrations.

[Hunter Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was really informative! I had no idea that bilbys existed until I read this book. The illustrations were very descriptive themselves, especially accompanying the very informative text.

[Ivy Wesner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wignell, Edel. Bilby; Secrets of an Australian Marsupial. Candlewick Press, 2011. 32 p. Ages 5-9.
Edel Wignell uses this remarkable narrative non-fiction picture book to tell a story about the Australian Marsupial, Bilby. Wignell uses different style typing to identify the differences between the story and the factual information. The content is intended for an older audience due to the wording that is selected by Wignell, however, the words used are an excellent way for a teacher to expand the vocabulary of their students. The content information within Bilby speaks about the animals home, physical characteristics, sleep/eating/mating habits, along with information on how they defend themselves from predators.
Reader Response/classroom connections: Bilby is a great book to use for interdisciplinary lessons in social studies and science, along with incorporating other areas of academics. The teacher can use this book as an introduction on the life cycle of animals. As the students are reading the book, they can fill in information on chart paper to identify the stages of this Australian marsupial. Students can then identify where Bilby lives then research the climate and other animals and characteristics of Australia. Students could write small reports, put together collages, or posters. As students write about different animals around the world, the teacher could use a large map and mark the homes of animals and their habitats.
This book would be great to use in a set with other picture, storybooks regarding animals around the world.

[American Mensa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bilby follows the journey of an Australian Bilby and her newborn baby in their natural habitat. Together, they explore tunnels, look for food, and face dangerous predators, all while the baby Bilby begins to grow up. The book is complemented by detailed and vibrant illustrations that add to the story. In addition, the book provides many interesting facts about Bilbies, ranging from their physical features to their diet.

My cousin, who is three years old, adored this book! He was very intrigued by the life of the Bilby. The illustrations are very detailed, and he could always find something new to point out that he didn’t see before! We would both give this book five stars, and would recommend it to anyone looking for an interesting book to read.
Review by Emily T, age 15, Broward Mensa

[Maggie Hahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bilby: Secrets of an Australian Marsupial is a nonfiction, informational book. This book tells the story about a bilby that is having a baby. It walks the reader through all of the steps that must happen in order for the baby to survive. This is a unique book because although it is nonfiction there is also the element of a story throughout the book. There is a section that talks about all of the facts about the bilby, then the other section of words tells the story of the bilby surviving with and without their mom! This book could be used in a unit on Australia, or learning about mammals. I could have my students compare and contrast these mammals to humans or to other animals.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about the life cycle of a Bilby. The book shows the daily life of her and her baby as they look for food and keep out of reach of predators. The book starts with the birth of the baby and goes until he leaves his mother to make his own burrows and find mates.
This book is helpful because it mixes fiction with fact. Each page has part of the story but also includes facts about the Bilby. The story can help show children how animals grow up and leave their parents to start their own family.

[Dimity Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loving the Aussie versions of Nature's Story line of picture books.
Informative, story driven, and captivating for kids. If your little one has a particular animal they are smitten with, get your hands on some of these titles. This one in particular struck accord with us.

[Daniel Cipriano · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not care for this book. This book was about a mother marsupial who gave birth to the baby in an Australian desert. I had no clue what a marsupial even was. I have no interest in this book. Nature-loving readers will love this book and people who love animals will love this book.

[Bec · Rating 3 out of 5]

beautifully illustrated tale of the life of the bilby - was shortlisted for the Information Book of the Year 2012

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A close-up introduction to an Australian desert-dwelling critter. Informative and interesting.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A more straight-forward book than Sand Swimmers (which was sent with it) about an animal I knew very little about. The cuteness factor is more present here and should attract readers.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and informative.

[Olivia George · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustration as well as the writing was well. I also taught me many new things about the marsupial the bilby. I could see myself reading this to my own class.

[Brandy]

This science information book helps inform readers of the lesser known marsupial in Australia. The book centers its information around the life of a Bilby and what they must do to survive. The illustrations are done with watercolor; these paintings help create visual enhancement to the content.