Why Koala Has a Stumpy Tail

by Martha Hamilton

During a long drought in Australia, Tree Kangaroo and Koala grow thirsty for water. When Tree Kangaroo remembers how he and his mother survived a similar drought by digging a hole for water, their problems seem to be solved. Koala creates excuses to rest and be lazy, while Tree Kangaroo works hard to dig the well. When water begins to fill the hole, Koala forgets to share and loses his tail and a friend! Illustrated by Tom Wrenn.

Genres: Audiobook, Childrens, Picture Books, Animals

Audible Audio

First published December 19, 2007

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss are a husband-and-wife team, also known as “Beauty and the Beast Storytellers,” who have traveled the world since 1980 sharing their passion for the art of storytelling. They have co-authored several books and recordings that have won numerous awards including Irma Simonton Black and James H. Black Award for Excellence in Children's Literature (awarded by Bank Street College of Education), Parents’ Choice, National Parenting Publications Awards, and Storytelling World. Their Children Tell Stories: Teaching and Using Storytelling in the Classroom, used in the teaching of storytelling from elementary schools to college courses, won an Anne Izard Storyteller's Choice Award and was praised by award committee members as "an infectiously enthusiastic book on the methods and merits of teaching storytelling to children . . . imaginative, inspiring, easy to read, and tremendously engaging . . . a terrific book that will be a classic for years to come."

Mitch and Martha’s story collections include world tales that they have retold in a conversational manner so that children can easily understand and retell them. Parents and teachers will find a wealth of information on how to get children excited about reading, telling world tales, and making up their own stories at Mitch and Martha’s Web site: http://www.beautyandthebeaststorytell...

Reviews

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

During a drought in Australia, two friends - Koala and Kangaroo - decide to dig a hole to try to find water. Kangaroo digs and digs, but lazy Koala keeps giving excuses for not helping. Finally Kangaroo has dug the hole himself and hits water - which Koala leaps down and drinks. Kangaroo is so angry he pulls Koala's tail --- and it snaps off, leaving him with a stump!

[Tammy Manns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Folktale
Grade Level: Primary (2-3)

Always treat others the way you want to be treated. It's not nice to trick others into doing your work for you or taking a friend for granted. You may be disappointed in the end. Koala found this out the hard way. This is a great book to teach teamwork and kindness to younger children.

[May Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging narration

This book is a good reminder that cutting ties with lazy, parasitic friends is okay. It is also a good reminder not to be one, as you’d also lose your friends. I love the audiobook production. Kids would surely love this.

[Judith · Rating 1 out of 5]

Austrailian folktale. It's okay but the illustrations could have been better. I'm still looking for a good Australian folktale to read to my students.

[Željko Filipin · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're lazy you can lose your tail. And a friend.

[Emespre · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has a nice message -- perhaps play/buy for K when she's older.

[Stacie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Help! Don’t be lazy like koala!!! 🐨 or you just might lose your tail!!!!! Thanks Audible for the free covid-19 read!

[Mark Pedigo · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Reading through many of the stories at stories.audible.com, made available for free for the covid stay-at-home.)

[Jenna Montgomery · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unexpected cautionary tale of a lazy koala taking advantage of friends hard work. Based on an Aboriginal legend.