The cassowary is native to New Guinea, northeastern Australia, and small parts of Indonesia. This vibrantly illustrated picture book, about one of the world’s largest flightless birds, tells the unique story of how this shy and rarely seen creature helps to grow rainforest in the southwestern Pacific. 

As readers quietly tip-toe through this book and try to catch a cassowary on its journey plotting through the forest, they will encounter the endangered animals of New Guinea and Northern Australia. They will encounter, and learn about, the richly dense tropical fruit trees commonly found in the South Pacific and even South Asia that the cassowary eats and then poops out the seeds of which help make up the rainforests. This colorfully written story is sure to entertain both independent and companion readers with its humorous tone and introductions to the hidden, yet vibrant life of the cassowary. 

So watch out, as the poop goes plop, chock full of seeds, down go the roots, and up come the trees! 

Originally published by Calabash Books, this beloved title is now back in print through Bess Press.

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Authors 

Dr. Tamara Montgomery, Professor Emeritus, is a retired Director of the Youth Theatre Graduate Program at the University of Hawaiʻi. For over 40-years she taught Children’s Theatre, Mask Making, Creative Drama, and Puppetry. She is the author of several books on educational puppetry, children’s picture books, and poetry.

Jodi Parry Belknap was a former publisher and owner of Calabash Books. Jodi held an M.A. in Youth Theatre from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where this title, and other Calabash publications, was presented as a children’s play at the UH Kennedy Theater.

Illustrator

Joseph P. Dodd is a retired Professor of Theatre, Scenic Design, and Creative Thinking. He was the former Director of Design for the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. He has illustrated several children’s books related to Pacific Island content and themes.

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hardcover   |   36 pages   |   12.75" x 9.5"   |   color