Cirrus@Austlit

No one listens to Jack, because he's the smallest of the magpie geese. But when things go wrong, Jack is the one who saves the flock. A story for ages three to five.

The baby sea turtles have hatched, but something is stopping them getting to the water. A story for ages three to five.

Sam the green tree frog is the best at everything, but he discovers he sometimes needs to ask for help. A story for ages three to five.

Stephie is different. She is a lorikeet who doesn't like noise. She thinks she doesn't fit in anywhere, but she learns that it's okay to be different. A story for ages three to five.

Polly the plover is frightened of everything. Her friends come to the rescue. A story for ages three to five.

Georgia is the last little gecko to hatch out, and the floor looks a long way down! A story for ages three to five.

For its 2016 Writer in Residence Program, The Essington School, Darwin, employed adult and children's author Joanne Van Os to work with ten students from Years 4, 5, and 6 over an 18-week period. During that period Van Os assisted the students with their creative writing, and helped develop the narrative for each of their children’s picture book stories. Local artist Joan Andropov was also employed to illustrate the stories.

The books are aimed at children from three to six years of age. Each features a different, common, Northern Territory animal found around Darwin or in the city's suburban backyards.

[Source: Essington Bulletin 11 March 2016]

Four green ants are looking for food, but they only find one flower. A story for ages three to five.

Ziggy the sugar glider is fast. He gets to all the food first. But one night Mr Owl almost catches him - why? A story for ages three to six.

Cassie the crocodile doesn't always listen when she should. A story for ages three to five.

Billy the frill-necked lizard is a bit of a clown. A story in verse for ages three to five.