About Puggle: A baby echidna who returns to the wild...with some help.

Puggle is based on a visit to the home of some wildlife carers in coastal NSW. Their home was amazing, full of all kinds of native wildlife being nursed back to health.

I was introduced to ‘Puggle’ a baby echidna, who was helpless and blind, as his mother had been killed in a road accident.

Baby animals need special care and diet. These specially trained animal carers were able to bring Puggle up and teach him how to look after himself, so one day he could return to the bush.

When I began writing Puggle’s story I started finding out all sorts of interesting facts about echidnas, some of which are included on the end papers of my book.

Puggle, the book, was launched by Adriana Simmonds, the education officer from Wildlife Victoria, with much love.

After Puggle hit the bookstores, I completed a BLOG TOUR for Puggle, where I visited the websites of some Australian children’s writers and answered lots of questions about how and why I wrote Puggle and about my writing in general. Join me at some of these sites if you’d like to find out more.

April 12 Scribbly gum An introduction to Puggle

April 13 Dee White Turning fact into fiction.

April 14 Sally Murphy On the reviewing process.

April 15 Claire Saxby Puggle’s Writing journey.

April 16 Dale Harcombe A review.

April 17 Sheryl Gwyther Puggle from go to whoa.

April 18 Sandy Fussell All about Puggles

April 19 Kathryn Apel Writing vs Teaching.

April 20 Mabel Kaplan Reflections on Puggle

April 21 Angela Sunde Drafting a picture book.

April 22 Trudie Trewin Why a blog tour?

If you would like to learn more about echidnas, or caring for native wildlife, here are a few websites to start with.

Teacher’s notes for class discussion, courtesy of Working Title Press.

Pelican Lagoon Echidna Research Centre

Wildlife Victoria

Aware

Healesville Sanctuary

Echidna facts

More echidna facts

After Puggle hit the bookstores, I completed a BLOG TOUR for Puggle, where I visited the websites of some Australian children’s writers and answered lots of questions about how and why I wrote Puggle and about my writing in general.

Here are some pictures of Puggle growing up. Click on an image to see a larger photo.

Puggle first day in Puggle's early feed Puggle being fed by Helen Puggle in the hand Puggle just getting spines Pugsy Full as a goog One full puggle Pugsy in hand Asleep in leaves Puggle On Verandah

All photos by kind courtesy of Helen Joachim.

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