A menagerie of Australian creatures celebrate the joys of friendship in this rhyming picture book with its focus on acceptance, belonging and diversity.
Children will smile at the antics of the animals, birds and reptiles in the lively, fun-filled illustrations with familiar Australiana settings.
They are a delightful complement to the rhyme and rhythm of the text in this warm-hearted celebration of friendship.
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Raffa-Mulligan said the book was inspired by the friendships she has had.
“I wanted to convey the special contribution friends bring to our lives,” she said.
“Being accepted for who we are, knowing someone cares and is there to share the ups and downs of life.
“Friends brighten our days in so many ways and having a caring, sharing special someone who accepts us without judgment contributes to our sense of wellbeing.
“It is especially important for children to experience what it is to have a true friend and to be that friend to others.”
Rooke said illustrating the manuscript was fun.
“Teena gives me lots of freedom and always comes into projects with an open mind,” she said.
“She had the idea for Australian animals but wanted lots of detail like soft fur and scales.
“I had to enlarge the text so it didn’t get lost in the drawings.”
Friends will be available from March 2 in selected bookshops and online from Serenity Press at www.serenitypress.org and Amazon.