Description

---

Paddy O’Melon is the endearing story of a young rainforest kangaroo. Separated from his mother as a young joey, Paddy is found and raised by an Irish family who live in the rainforest and often help orphaned or injured animals.

But while Paddy loves his new human family, he’s curious to find out what he really is. So, he sets out on a journey into the rainforest where he meets a range of other interesting animals; from musky rat-kangaroos to micro-bats, from ringtail possums to flying-foxes.

Despite this, all he really wants is to be reunited with his mother and his own kind. Perhaps the cassowary can tell this little red-legged pademelon who he really is and take him safely home?

About the Author

---

Julia Cooper was born in the UK but moved to Queensland, Australia, where she worked in wildlife education and rehabilitation. Together with her partner, Martin Cohen, she was always busy caring for native animals ranging from flying-foxes to pademelons, wallabies to micro-bats, possums to bandicoots. Julia’s passion was also for educating people, especially children, about the wonders of the natural world and the need for us to look after our native wildlife. Sadly, in 2011 Julia passed away from an auto-immune disease, leaving this story as part of her legacy. By publishing this book, her partner Martin hopes to keep both Julia’s spirit and message alive. 

Daryl Dickson is an award-winning painter and illustrator with a passion for the natural environment and wildlife rehabilitation. Originally from London, she now lives in Far North Queensland. She has received an Australia Day Award for her work in environmental education, wildlife rescue, Cassowary Award, and the Drawing prize at the Hinchinbrook Bird Life Art Awards. Unsurprisingly, all of Daryl’s illustration work involves nature and animals, such as the picture book Paddy O’Melon: The Irish Kangaroo. She now works full-time producing original artworks and a range of wildlife cards and prints. Her greeting cards & artwork prints are popular with tourists are from around the world including the USA, Europe and NZ. Daryl and her husband devote much of their time to caring for injured native animals. Their home is shared with an amazing diversity of wildlife, providing endless inspiration, interest and color which she channels into her artwork.

Praise For…

---

"A delightful, funny and moving story, touching on our special relationship with nature, told through the life of an endearing little kangaroo.”—Stephen Moss - Naturalist, Author, TV Producer

“Paddy O’Melon is a wonderfully heartwarming story, stylishly written and with beautiful illustrations. I’m sure it will delight children and their parents while also introducing them to the fascinating creatures of the Australian rainforest.”—Neil Nightingale - former head of the BBC Natural History Unit and producer of Wild Down Under

"A delightful romp through the rainforest with a wallaby . . . but also a story with an important conservation message that will inspire young people to love and protect this precious environment."—Chris Packham - Presenter and Conservationist

‘Julia and Martin are old friends in wildlife, genuinely passionate about caring for the animals of tropical Queensland. Beautifully illustrated, Paddy O Melon and the other books in the series all carry a sense of wonder for the animals of Australia, and hopefully will help the new generation to treasure them, and want to learn how to care for them as Julia and Martin have.’—Steve Backshall, naturalist, writer and television presenter for "Deadly 60"