Philip Bunting
Charlesbridge, Sept 09, 2025
Opening Lines
Up there! Gray hair! Grim stare! Beware . . . Dropbear!
Synopsis
taken from the Author’s Page
Take a rhyming romp through the bush, where things aren’t always as they seem. Hold your breath and count to three as a gang of Aussie animals share spooky stories about Dropbear, the rumored meanie who lives way up in an old gum tree. But when one little birdie decides to investigate the truth, it turns out that even Dropbears deserve the benefit of the doubt.
What I Thought of Dropbear.
I loved this book. It was charming, suspenseful, funny and thought-provoking.
If you’re learning about Australian animals, this book is a must-have. Not only do several different animals make an appearance, but it’s a really fun way to both introduce and debunk a humorous contemporary Australian myth about predatory marsupials dropping from trees to attack humans.
Source: Philip Bunting
It’s written in an engaging rhyming format with appealing illustrations.
I really like that one little bird solves the Dropbear mystery by simply questioning the rumours the animals are spreading, and deciding to look for actual proof. That’s a good lesson for all of us — not to just blithely believe whatever we’re told.
The recommended age range is 2-5, but honestly, I think up to 7-year-olds will enjoy it!
Check out the cute book trailer:
- Please Note: This text is available in the US and Canada in September 2025
Story Extensions
Before reading, give the children a purpose for listening. I might say something like “Look and listen carefully because there’s something special going on in this story. If you figure it out keep your secret to yourself until the end of the book.” When the story is finished ask various children if they figured out that Dropbear is a fun myth and ask them to give evidence from the book for their reasoning, right or wrong.
After reading, talk about myths and folklore. Where do they come from? How do they get started? Why might the Dropbear myth have started? Check out this Wikipedia article for more info.
Make a paper plate koala with instructions from DLTK’s Site for Kids
Make a koala bear paper bag puppet ($2 in my store).
Check out this selection of koala crafts from Aussie Animals!
Thanks for stopping by!
You can find lots more book reviews with activities in my Kid Lit section.
