WHEN Elvira, a wedge-tailed eagle from the city, forms an unlikely friendship with a country mouse with attitude, the pair embark on a journey of discovery.
For mouse Pookie from the Pilliga Forest, who is on the extinction list, it’s a search for family; for Elvira, a star of the Taronga Zoo bird show, it’s a quest to find the secret of happiness.
Do they find what they’re looking for?
You’ll have to read the latest book by Pat Clarke to find out.
About five years ago, at the age of 71, Pat released her first children’s book.
Her latest, Elvira and the Pilliga Mouse, is her sixth. As with all but one of the previous books, it has been beautifully illustrated by Graeme Compton.
“My books are all very Australian – based on birds and animals in the Goonoo Forest, the Dubbo zoo, and myths and legends surrounding yowies, bunyips and black panthers in the Blue Mountains,” Pat said.
And while Pat thought Elvira’s story would be limited to one book, she is now well into writing a sequel – “as I found the ‘wedgie’ to be quite an endearing character and felt she needed a few more adventures”.
- Elvira and the Pilliga Mouse, Little Steps Publishing, distributed by Dennis Jones Pty Ltd, RRP $25 (plus $5 postage), available from Pat Clarke, 120 Darling St, Dubbo NSW 2830, phone (02) 6882-1737, or ask your book store to order in a copy.
