Climate Change! The two words that have become ‘the worry of our world’!
Meet Mr & Mrs Gum! who decide to do a ‘heave ho’ uproot and leave behind their billabong in the Australian Outback ... in search of adventure!
From the outback to the sea they plod with eagerness turning to dismay and disappointment in the realisation that what they find is not what they had imagined in their hopes and dreams.
Autho: Maggie May Gordon was born and raised in Sydney. She commenced writing when she married and moved to a property on the western plains of NSW which she found very conducive to writing about the characters, flora and fauna of the Australian bush. An award-winning poet, her verses have been widely published and used in eisteddfod and radio presentations. Her lyrics have been performed on stage and television. Maggie is the original author & lyricist of Eureka! the Musical(Her Majesty’s, Melbourne 2004) which was nominated for Best Musical in the Robert Helpmann Awards for Australian Theatre 2005. The Gums’ Adventures is Maggie’s ninth Little Steps title.
Illustrator: With no formal training and self-taught, Eric always loved to draw. He took art at school and relished any opportunity to pick up a pencil at home. He enjoyed experimenting with different media – ink, pencil and coloured pencils. During his formative years, Eric’s heroes were people such as Walt Disney, Ralph Steadman, Heath Robinson, Georges Proaper Remi (known by the pen name ‘Herge’) and M.C. Escher. Eric was also inspired by the artwork of his grandfather, who worked in pastels and charcoal, and his mother who liked to use watercolour. Both of whom were also self taught.
* Native Australian wildlife and landscapes.
* Themes of environmental responsibility and conservation.
I have just read The Gums’ Adventures and what a beautiful story. Mr and Mrs Gum are wonderful characters and I love the banter between them. Fantastic messages on looking after our land and not polluting it with chemicals, rubbish etc. Love, love, love that it is a true Australian story and Eric Kuiper’s illustrations are perfect and so true to life. This story is 10 chapters, took me approximately an hour to read and I can’t wait to read it to my children over the upcoming holidays. Teachers of primary school age, this book is for you! A fantastic, subtle way of introducing ways of preserving our beautiful Australia and our world. I love Maggie’s Gums’ farewell poem at the end. - Joanne Sizeland (June 2023).
The Gums’ Adventures is a most valuable gift for children. The plight of the planet… with 70% of wildlife eliminated since 1970 according to WWF.. cannot be hidden from youngsters. So Mr & Mrs Gum is a delightful way to help young Australians deal with the ugly facts of environmental destruction. - Bob Brown, Forst Defender (July 2023).
Wow, "The Gums Adventures Across a Wide Brown Land" by Maggie Gordon is an absolute gem! This book took me on an incredible journey through the vast and stunning landscapes of Australia. I couldnt put it down! The vivid descriptions made me feel like I was adventuring across the wild Australian Outback along with the characters, Mr and Mrs Gum. The adventures in this book were nothing short of thrilling. From encountering unique wildlife to solving intriguing mysteries, every chapter was a new and exciting experience. "The Gums Adventures Across a Wide Brown Land" isnt just a book; its an expedition into the heart of Australia. Its a celebration of nature, friendship, and the spirit of exploration. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves adventure, appreciates diverse cultures, or simply wants to get lost in a captivating story. Maggie Gordon has crafted a masterpiece that will stay with me for a long time. Cant wait to read more from this talented author! - Maddy 13yrs (Sept 2023).
A thought-provoking children’s book, enabling the reader to engage in environmental awareness at home or in the classroom. Wittingly written with beautiful illustrations, following Mr and Mrs Gum’s journey of a lifetime through the Australian outback and beyond. - Lieke, Swanny and Lennon (Oct 2023)
