Cirrus@Austlit

'My name is Amanda and I live in outback Australia. It hasn’t rained here for over a year. It’s been really sweltering – so hot and dry.'

This story is about the impact that drought has on an outback community and acknowledges the wonderful and vital role of the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners and the Drought Angels.

(Publication Summary)

'This beautifully written book, in prose, really highlights the hardships farmers face during drought. The imagery the words create are very powerful, and the illustrations back up the story.'

(Publication Summary)

'A young girl named Hayley walked along the river, saddened by how low it had become and how terrible the community had become at wasting water. Hayley decided it was time to not waste so much water in the middle of a drought. She thought if she could learn how to be ‘water smart’, then she could teach others how to save water.'

(Publication Summary)

'Henry and Ary are ducks that need to find a new homes Narrabri Creek wasn’t a nice place to live anymore because of the drought. There wasn’t enough food for their growing family. This story takes you on Henry’s journey to find a new home for Ary and their un-hatched duckling.'

(Publication Summary)

'Blossom, a Santa Gertrudis cow from Bruce’s herd, is really struggling as she has only just enough milk to supply her calf, Rosie. Blossom and Rosie witness their herd getting thinner and slowly die from lack of water and the intense hot conditions. It’s a sad time on the farm.

Can Blossom and Rosie survive? You’ll have to read this book to find out'

(Publication Summary)

'Jeff relied on water in his dams to irrigate his farm. It was a drought and the dams were drying up. He was scared that if it didn’t rain soon he would need to consider selling the farm. It was the only way he could think of to support his family.

He had only just put up the sign when… it started to rain! Big, fat raindrops were falling from the sky.'

(Publication Summary)

'As the fading colours keep on descending, I hear the sound of cows struggling to survive as they walk across the cracking ground.

I wait for my time to fall. I try and try to break free but the cloud holds me in.

Another beautifully written prose story from Inverell Public School students. This story is about a raindrop who just wants to fall and soothe the dry, cracked land.'

(Publication summary)

'Polly is an orphaned lamb who gets raised by a caring family.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Robert and his son, Cooper, go on a journey to improve their farm. With the advice of the local community they turn their farm around by making sure that beneficial animals on their farm to help control the insect pests attacking their crops. They also work on removing invasive weeds, improving the soil and leaving native vegetation on the property.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'There are some eggs missing from the chicken yard. What could be happening? Read James and Tahlia’s adventure as they find the culprit to the mystery in the chicken yard.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'The Worth family are getting ready to tag, drench and mark their cattle and calves. It’s a busy time in the cattle yards and everyone pitches in to help out.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Farmer Matt was using siphon flood irrigation on his crops. He realised he was using way too much water. He finds out about centre pivot irrigation and this improves his water use and his crops.' (Publication summary)

'Cotton farmer Steven almost runs over an Eddie the echidna with his cotton harvester. He realises that there are lots of other animals also in his cotton fields. Read this book to find out what he does for all the wildlife.' (Publication summary)