Create and Craft - EcoBuddies

May 2025

Unley EcoBuddies is a collaboration between City of Unley Libraries and Climate & Sustainability. Library staff are visiting local early learning facilities to share stories and information that will inspire and encourage local children, their parents and educators to care for and respect the natural world, and practice sustainability in their facilities, homes and communities. 

Here are some books and activities you might like to share with your family at home:

	A Good Place by Lucy Cousins Follow four adorable insect friends as they look for a good place to live. A delightful new picture book from the award-winning author and illustrator Lucy Cousins. Four insect friends are looking for a place to live -- one that has flowers for Bee, leaves for Ladybird, a pond for Dragonfly and dead wood for Beetle. But -- oh no! -- with dangers all around, a good place is not so easy to find. This brand-new picture book from internationally acclaimed author-illustrator Lucy Cousins sees new depth and contrast to her familiar vivid colour palette. This story brings the natural world to joyful and vibrant life for young readers, inviting them to consider what they can do to help make our planet a good place for all living creatures. Request a copy via our catalogue
	The Garden on Red Gum Road by Phil Cummings and Danny Snell There's a special place for Nonna and me, for friends, for pets, for family. When we go, it's a busy day, we talk, we dig, plant seeds and play. We join our friends, share the load, in the community garden on Red Gum Road. Request a copy via our catalogue
	Fabulous Frogs by Katrina Germein and Suzanne Houghton Australian frogs are fabulous frogs! Did you know that there are frogs who change colour? Or that there are frogs who would rather walk than jump, or can use their eyes to swallow food? And that some tadpoles can control when they turn into a frog. Request a copy via our catalogue
	Luna Loves Gardening by Joseph Coelho and Fiona Lumbers Luna is wowed by her local community garden, there are squashes and runner beans, potatoes and tomatoes and even an apple tree. But each plant hides a story. Grandpa and Nana show her the Callaloo their family grew in Jamaica. It's time for Luna to grab a trowel and sow seeds that will tell a new story for the whole community as they all discover their connection to the entire world. Request a copy via our catalogue
	Kind: a call to care for every creature by Jess McGeachin From the tiniest beetle to the most majestic whale, every creature on Earth is a marvel, deserving of awe and compassion. This picture book is a unique celebration of living things of many kinds - and the kindness we can show them as we wander through the world. Request a copy via our catalogue
	I am a Magpie I am a Currawong by Bridget Farmer From magpies to currawongs, and finches to thornbills, here are a few little details to look out for when in Australian gardens, parks, beaches or bush. With simple rhymes and stunning illustrations this book is a beautiful beginning to a bird loving journey. Request a copy via our catalogue
	Garden Stew by Carrie Gallasch and Zoe Ingram Join Quokkas, Tattie and Tiny Spud as they head outside for lots of fun. A pot, some sticks and petals too, it's time to make garden stew! Reminiscent of making mud pies in the backyard, this joyful story is sure to inspire creativity in the outdoor kitchen. Request a copy via our catalogue
	Bowerbird Blues / Bowerbird Brood by Aura Parker A child's fiction book that is a story of longing and connection, that unfolds as the bowerbird's search sends him soaring across the sea, sky and city. He swoops and snatches vibrant treasures for his collection, and soon his bower--a mix of natural and unnatural objects--attracts something greater and more fulfilling than he could ever have imagined. Request a copy via our catalogue
	Bitsy by Nicki Greenberg Through the velvety night, in whispering flight, Bats hurry homeward to hide from the light. Eager to huddle away from the sun, Cosy and comfortable . . . All except one. Meet Bitsy, a cheeky little bat with daring dreams. Nocturnal Bitsy wants to discover what life is like when the sun comes up. But is the daytime ready for Bitsy? A joyous story about spreading your wings, meeting your monsters, and weaving the magic of friendship. Request a copy via our catalogue
	Country by Aunty Fay Muir, Sue Lawson & Cheryl Davison Country is central to so much of First Nations Culture. It is past, present, future. Storytelling and song. Country is all of us. Country is you. Take a walk on Country. A delightful exploration of everything Country is. Request a copy via our catalogue
	Walk in the Bush by Gwyn Perkins Little Iggy doesn't want to leave the house, but Grandad insists -- they always have fun together. What follows is a wonderful journey in the great Australian outdoors with signing birds, wallaby surprises, secret caterpillar messages and oodles of grandad humour. Request a copy via our catalogue
	Plantastic!: A to Z of Australian Plants by Catherine Clowes and Rachel Gyan Plantastic! presents 26 of Australia's most unique and incredible native plants. Discover and identify native plants found in your local park, bushland, or even in your very own backyard. A gorgeous A to Z exploration of some of Australia's most unique and incredible native plants. Did you know that there are plants that eat insects? Plants whose seeds spread in poo? Plants that move when you touch them? And plants that grow on other plants? Plantastic! presents 26 of Australia's most unique and incredible native plants. Discover and identify native plants found in your local park, bushland, or even in your very own backyard. With its perfect balance of fun facts, activities, adventurous ideas and gorgeous illustrations, Plantastic! will prove just how fantastic Australia's native plants really are! Request a copy via our catalogue
	Australian Animals from Beach to Bush by Brent Turner Australia is home to many unique animals. Let's see how many we can meet! Find Humpback Whales in coral reefs, seek out Australian Sea Lions in kelp forests, search for Short-Nosed Wombats on mountains and spot Saltwater Crocodiles in wetlands. This is Australia's native wildlife as you have never seen before: a dreamy, pastel-popping meditation on these special animals, their conservation status and what we can do to protect them, from award-winning artist Brentos. Request a copy via our catalogue
	Australian Backyard Buddies by Andy Geppert A somewhat factual introduction to the hoppy, crawly, wriggly, buzzy, fluttery critters that call your backyard home. Butterflies are like moths - just fancier. They fly around during the daytime to show off their pretty, colourful wings. This is probably why moths prefer to only come out at night. Backyard Buddies is a handy field guide full of buzzy facts (some of them even true) about the insects and creatures - ladybugs, snails, blue-tongues and more - that kids are likely to discover living in their backyard. Request a copy via our catalogue
	Cockatoo by Kay Baillie and Max Hamilton In the hollow of an ancient tree, a black cockatoo chick relies on its parents for survival. But as spring turns to summer, only the young cockatoo can save itself from the deadly heat. A story about the magnificent black cockatoo, how they begin their life sheltering in tree hollows and how eventually they must learn how to fly out of the hollow to survive. Request a copy via our catalogue

A rare and special bird that you might be lucky to see is the Wilampa, the Kaurna name for the Yellow-tailed black cockatoo. These vulnerable birds can be found in parts of Queensland and South Australia, particularly in the Mount Lofty Ranges in winter. They feed on seeds and insect larvae. If you go for a walk in forests or National Parks, you might be lucky enough to find one of their beautiful yellow tipped tail feathers. 

You can make your own Wilampa puppet using this template.

Wilampa-Black-Cockatoo-Craft.pdf(PDF, 722KB)

For this craft you will need:

• 1 x copy of the template, printed on card
• Yellow cellophane or paper
• Straw or stick
• Glue, textas/pencils/paint, scissors, stapler

Directions:

• Cut out around the body and wings of your Wilampa template. You might need an adult to help you cut inside the shapes on the face and tail.
• Stick yellow cellophane to the back of these windows.
• You can use crayons or the scraps of cardboard to add extra decoration to your bird.
• Attach the wings and the straw/stick to use as a puppet.

   

Click here to view form.