When tiny Warambi, a little bent-wing bat, makes her
entrance into the world, she is no bigger than a bean. Even when she is
fully-grown, she will still only measure up to a tiny forty-five centimetres.
So when Warambi is a pup, just able to fly, still having hunting lessons from
her mum, it is no wonder she is so afraid when the earth shakes and her cave is
ripped apart by monster machines. Her colony fly around in panic, and in the
confusion, poor Warambi becomes separated from her mother.
This is a delightful picture story book for children
of lower primary school age. Based on a true story, the text is gentle and
moving but does not shy away from drawing the reader’s attention to the
violence involved in destroying the habitat of the little bent-wing bat, or
Miniopterus australis. The symbolism of juxtaposing this tiny species of bat with
the enormous earth-moving machines is powerful and clever. The language of Warambi is warm and sumptuous, lending
itself to being read aloud, with its subtle rhythms and use of alliteration,
consonance and assonance: The terrified
pups and their mothers squeaked and squealed and whirred and wheeled about.
Andrew Plant’s illustrations, painted in acrylic, are
striking and sit well with the text; they highlight the themes of the book –
belonging, threat, compassion, conservation of natural habitats and the
preservation of native species.
Published in the Year of the Bat, as declared by the
United Nations, Warambi – the word
for ‘bat’ in the language of the Dharawal people – is a touching story that
children will relate to. Engaging and informative – the end papers contain an
array of interesting facts about the little bent-wing bat, which helps to make
the story all the more poignant – Warambi
will help to raise awareness about the plight of many of Australia’s native
flora and fauna.
A captivating read. Recommended.
Working Title Press 2011
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