Dropbear

By: Philip Bunting Up there! Gray hair! Grim stare! Beware . . . Dropbear! Hold your breath and count to three as woodland creatures share spooky stories about Dropbear, the rumored meanie who lives way up in an old gum tree. But when one little birdie decides to investigate the truth, it turns out that maybe Dropbear just wants . . . something special. This humorous and heartfelt rhyming romp through the outback teaches preschoolers and their grown-ups that things aren't always as they seem, and that all creatures deserve the benefit of the doubt. Download the Dropbear Halloween mask! If you like this book, you’ll enjoy these: Wombat [TABS] Look Inside Downloadables Download the Cover Download the Mask Author & Illustrator Philip Bunting, author Philip Bunting is an author and illustrator with a soft spot for creating picture books for sleep-deprived, time-poor, raisin-encrusted parents (and their children). He has written and illustrated many books for children, including Wombat, How Did I Get Here?: Your Story from the Big Bang to Your Birthday, and The World's Most Pointless Animals. Philip’s work deliberately encourages playful interaction, creating a platform for genuine engagement and fun. Philip’s books have been translated into multiple languages and published in over 30 countries around the world. Read more about Philip Awards & Honors Coming soon! Editorial Reviews Kirkus Reviews Don’t let gossips get the drop on you! In a dark forest, an unseen narrator draws readers’ attention to an old gum tree that looms creepily among the clouds. A sign below echoes the narrator’s warning: “Beware! Dropbear!” And just what is a dropbear? “They say…Dropbear is mean. Dropbear is rude. Dropbear smells like stinky old food. It lingers up high…then drops from its tree. Its favorite dish? That’s you…and me!” But who is that unspecified “they”? A “little birdie” with a healthy sense of skepticism is eager to get to the bottom of things and discovers that the dropbear is just a koala in need of a good hug; those rumors were the result of ignorance and fear of the unknown, as well as a way to battle boredom. Bunting slyly infuses his text with both clever wordplay and a message about not believing gossip; educators and caregivers will find the tale a useful tool for dispelling misconceptions. The author/illustrator’s signature mixed-media images are adorable, depicting solemn, saucer-eyed Australian creatures. With teeny-tiny fangs, the dropbear cuts a cute figure from the outset, lightening the ominous mood set by the swirling clouds and shadowy night. Bunting concludes with an author’s note about the dropbear, a mythical Australian creature said to tumble out of trees onto unsuspecting passersby. An endearing lesson in information literacy. Details Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-62354-726-4 Ages: 2–5 Page count: 40 81/2 x 11 Publication date: September 9, 2025 [/TABS]