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Leaving the Lyrebird Forest
'Are you lonely here?' her mother asked.
'Never,' Alice said. 'Not while I am friends with the lyrebird.'
Alice has spent her life living on the outskirts of a small town, in a house nestled in bushland. Every other morning, she is visited by a lyrebird. Her bond with this magnificent bird brings her together with her nearest neighbour, Mr Brown, a widower who loves the bush and its treasures as much as she does.
But change is Alice is growing up, and having to think about her future (a future which might mean leaving the bush for her education). Mr Brown is getting older, and less able to look after himself. And as the nearby town grows, their beloved lyrebird and bushland are threatened too.
A touching story that will resonate with readers everywhere, stunningly illustrated with woodcuts by acclaimed artist Julian Laffan.
'Never,' Alice said. 'Not while I am friends with the lyrebird.'
Alice has spent her life living on the outskirts of a small town, in a house nestled in bushland. Every other morning, she is visited by a lyrebird. Her bond with this magnificent bird brings her together with her nearest neighbour, Mr Brown, a widower who loves the bush and its treasures as much as she does.
But change is Alice is growing up, and having to think about her future (a future which might mean leaving the bush for her education). Mr Brown is getting older, and less able to look after himself. And as the nearby town grows, their beloved lyrebird and bushland are threatened too.
A touching story that will resonate with readers everywhere, stunningly illustrated with woodcuts by acclaimed artist Julian Laffan.
176 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 25, 2018
18 people want to read
About the author
Gary Crew
96 books66 followersDr Gary Crew, author of novels, short stories and picture books for older children and young adults, began his writing career in 1985, when he was a high school teacher. His books are challenging and intriguing, often based on non-fiction. As well as writing fiction, Gary is a Associate Professor in Creative Writing, Children's and Adult Literature, at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland and editor of the After Dark series.
He lives with his wife Christine on several acres in the cool, high mountains of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland in Queensland, Australia in a house called 'Green Mansions' which is shaded by over 200 Australian rainforest palms he has cultivated. He enjoys gardening, reading, and playing with his dogs Ferris, Beulah, and Miss Wendy. In his spare time he has created an Australian Rainforest Garden around his home, filled with Australian palms. Gary loves to visit antique shops looking for curios and beautiful objects.
Gary Crew has been awarded the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the year four times: twice for Book of the Year for Young Adult Older Readers (Strange Objects in 1991 and Angel’s Gate in 1993) and twice for Picture Book of the Year with First Light in 1993 (illustrated by Peter Gouldthorpe) and The Watertower (illustrated by Steven Woolman) in 1994. Gary’s illustrated book, Memorial (with Shaun Tan) was awarded the Children’s Book Council of Australia Honour Book in 2000 and short listed for the Queensland Premier’s Awards. He has also won the Wilderness Society Award, the Whitley Award and the Aurealis Award for Speculative Fiction.
In the USA he has been twice short listed for the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allan Poe Mystery Fiction Award for Youth and the Hungry Minds Review American Children’s Book of distinction. In Europe he has twice been and twice the prestigious White Raven Award for his illustrated books. Among his many Australian awards is the Ned Kelly Prize for Crime Fiction, the New South Wales Premier’s Award and the Victorian Premier’s Award. He has been short listed for both the Queensland Premier’s and the Western Australian Premier’s awards for Fiction.
He lives with his wife Christine on several acres in the cool, high mountains of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland in Queensland, Australia in a house called 'Green Mansions' which is shaded by over 200 Australian rainforest palms he has cultivated. He enjoys gardening, reading, and playing with his dogs Ferris, Beulah, and Miss Wendy. In his spare time he has created an Australian Rainforest Garden around his home, filled with Australian palms. Gary loves to visit antique shops looking for curios and beautiful objects.
Gary Crew has been awarded the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the year four times: twice for Book of the Year for Young Adult Older Readers (Strange Objects in 1991 and Angel’s Gate in 1993) and twice for Picture Book of the Year with First Light in 1993 (illustrated by Peter Gouldthorpe) and The Watertower (illustrated by Steven Woolman) in 1994. Gary’s illustrated book, Memorial (with Shaun Tan) was awarded the Children’s Book Council of Australia Honour Book in 2000 and short listed for the Queensland Premier’s Awards. He has also won the Wilderness Society Award, the Whitley Award and the Aurealis Award for Speculative Fiction.
In the USA he has been twice short listed for the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allan Poe Mystery Fiction Award for Youth and the Hungry Minds Review American Children’s Book of distinction. In Europe he has twice been and twice the prestigious White Raven Award for his illustrated books. Among his many Australian awards is the Ned Kelly Prize for Crime Fiction, the New South Wales Premier’s Award and the Victorian Premier’s Award. He has been short listed for both the Queensland Premier’s and the Western Australian Premier’s awards for Fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 24, 2018
One of the best I've read this year!
‘Are you lonely here?' her mother asked. 'Never,' Alice said. 'Not while I am friends with the lyrebird.'
‘Leaving the Lyrebird Forest is a poignant and lyrical story about friendship, family and growing up in the bush. Alice Dorrit lives with her artist parents in a small house surrounded by bushland. Set in the 1930s, the family live a self-sustaining and simple life. Alice walks three miles to school and her family drive their Model T Ford to the nearby town one hour away to sell their artworks and pick up supplies. When Alice turns three, a young male lyrebird begins to visit, knocking and tapping on her bedroom window. She awakes every second morning to visits by Birdy, Dad builds a platform for him and Alice feeds him grubs and worms. Alice and Birdy build a special relationship, she teaches him to respond to her calls and mimic sounds.
Alice befriends Mr Brown a lonely widower who lives on an adjoining property, she discovers that he loves the forest and wildlife as much as she does. The mystery of the timing of Birdy’s visit is solved as well. As Alice grows up, she knows her future lies in a different direction, she must leave her family friends and much-loved lyrebird for her future schooling.
Award winning author Gary Crew’s beautifully descriptive novel, captures the lush forest settings, heart-warming relationships and special bond between Alice and her wild bird. Julian Laffan’s impressive woodcuts add depth, dimension and character. ‘Leaving the Lyrebird Forest’ showcases a wonderful synergy between author and artist. A wonderful story to share with readers in the Middle Grades with themes of friendship, acceptance, caring for the environment concerns and coming of age.
Rhyllis Bignell
‘Are you lonely here?' her mother asked. 'Never,' Alice said. 'Not while I am friends with the lyrebird.'
‘Leaving the Lyrebird Forest is a poignant and lyrical story about friendship, family and growing up in the bush. Alice Dorrit lives with her artist parents in a small house surrounded by bushland. Set in the 1930s, the family live a self-sustaining and simple life. Alice walks three miles to school and her family drive their Model T Ford to the nearby town one hour away to sell their artworks and pick up supplies. When Alice turns three, a young male lyrebird begins to visit, knocking and tapping on her bedroom window. She awakes every second morning to visits by Birdy, Dad builds a platform for him and Alice feeds him grubs and worms. Alice and Birdy build a special relationship, she teaches him to respond to her calls and mimic sounds.
Alice befriends Mr Brown a lonely widower who lives on an adjoining property, she discovers that he loves the forest and wildlife as much as she does. The mystery of the timing of Birdy’s visit is solved as well. As Alice grows up, she knows her future lies in a different direction, she must leave her family friends and much-loved lyrebird for her future schooling.
Award winning author Gary Crew’s beautifully descriptive novel, captures the lush forest settings, heart-warming relationships and special bond between Alice and her wild bird. Julian Laffan’s impressive woodcuts add depth, dimension and character. ‘Leaving the Lyrebird Forest’ showcases a wonderful synergy between author and artist. A wonderful story to share with readers in the Middle Grades with themes of friendship, acceptance, caring for the environment concerns and coming of age.
Rhyllis Bignell
June 26, 2020
A lovely story about coming-of-age, loss, adventure, and appreciating the beauty in one's surroundings. Great story and delicious language bring to life the fascinating forest. 4.5/5 stars and I'd follow Gary Crew anywhere.
November 4, 2022
a nice story about nature and friendship
April 27, 2019
I liked the parts but felt it didn't come together as a whole story like I wanted.
May 23, 2022
Lovely and tragic, Birdy shines as truly as he did for Alice as he does today.
August 1, 2023
A simple and lovely story of connections made in the Australian bush.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews