Australian wildlife books giveaway!

You may have read that I recently attended a school reunion when my class celebrated 50 years since most of us left school after completing Junior (the current Yr.10) . Only a handful of my classmates went on to do Senior (Yr.12) as jobs were plentiful and for most of us, there was no reason to stay at school unless we wanted to be a teacher. At the reunion it was interesting to learn what had happened to everyone in the years between 1963 and 2013. One of those classmates had become an author and now has three Australian wildlife books published.

 Coleen Heathwood is a retired teacher who resides outside Bundaberg in Queensland. Interstate readers may have seen the flooding in Bundaberg on the TV news earlier this year after ex-tropical cyclone Oswald wreaked havoc on the city.  She is an avid enthusiast of Australian wildlife and has spent many hours with her camera at the ready, patiently waiting and watching the subjects of her books in order to get just the 'right' photo.

 

The first of her books to be published was 'Bargara Spur-Winged Plover'.  Bargara is a coastal town just 13 kilometres each of Bundaberg. Apparently the plovers can become a tad aggressive if you walk too close to their nest so I was amazed that Coleen could get near enough to the nest to take close up photos of their eggs. 

  

 

Her second book 'Like a Lizard Lapping Dew' takes the reader through the lizard's day from early morning when it seeks out the fresh dew before hiding from predators which may have 'lizard for lunch' on their agenda.  

 

 

Her third and most recently published book is 'Australian Christmas Birds'.

 



 

 On the back cover of the book Coleen writes that 'imagination has been entwined with the traditional Christmas story'. Various Australian birds are featured on each page along with Christmas decorations Coleen has been given over the years.

 

 

The books are written in poetry form and on the last two pages of each of them are an activity section showing how each page connects with the curriculum as well a few ideas for conversations that could follow after reading the books.

 

 

I know that a lot of Aussies these days are keen to buy Australian products and particularly like to support small business and those who are 'having a go'. So I told Coleen that I would promote her books as it is the time of the year when many people are looking out for something a little different to give children for Christmas.

 

 

 

Her books are available from Boolarong Press and I noticed that Fishpond has her first two  books listed as well.

 

Coleen has kindly given me a copy of each of her first two books and I would like to give them away to my blog readers. So if you would like to go into the draw to win one of these books just leave a comment below and if you have a preference for either 'Bargara Spur-Winged Plover' or 'Like a Lizard Lapping Dew' just mention that in the comment.

I will draw two winners on the 1st December and then will send off a book to each of the winners in time for Christmas. You have until the 30th November to enter. Unfortunately this offer will only be available to Australian readers.

 

If you buy or win a book I am sure you will just love the photos in these picture books and some little (or big) person will be very happy!

Update: If you would like to go into the draw please say so in your comment as I have confused myself now and perhaps didn't make that clear enough in my post.

Update 17/11/13 :Coleen has advised me that she has written another book which has just been released and the name is Woongarra Willy Wagtails and will be available from Boolarong Press http://www.boolarongpress.com.au/content/bookstore/bookDetails.asp?bookid=772.

Also a number of readers seem to have problems with the comment process so I have added a 'Contact me' form on my sidebar which you can find by scrolling down to the bottom of the page. You can email me if you are having problems with using the comment process to enter into the draw for the books.

Update 3/12/13: Sue and Jennywren won a book each and they are on their way to Tassie and WA at the moment. Congratulations!