It’s the weekend but Violet has a school project about the de-extinction of the Tasmanian Tiger. She sits in her mum’s office and beavers away with her dog, Tassie, nearby.
In her research she watches videos and learns all sorts of things. She shows her family a picture of Benjamin, the last Tasmanian Tiger living in captivity. She tells the family she doesn’t have time for chores or to walk the dog.
As the family tuck up in bed, Violet is still reading. Her eyelids droop. She yawns. She rests her head on the desk and drifts to sleep.
Suddenly she is woken up by a hiss and an ‘oooooo’. It’s the ghost of Thylcines past, present and future! Or ‘thyla’ for short.
Thyla takes Violet in a special time machine where she learns all about this animal and its history. Did you know that both male and female Thylacines had a pouch for their babies? Violet learns about the scientific possibilities of bringing this incredible animal back.
This is a clever book, grasping some complex subjects around the thylacine, while presenting it in a fun graphic novel form.
Renée Treml has done an excellent job. You hardly realise how much you’re learning while being entertained.
The Thylacine and the Time Machine is a fabulous book. I hope Treml will entertain us again while educating us. Interested in animals, living or extinct? Definitely add this to your library.
Reviewed by Emily Ross
Age Guide 8+
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
American-born Renée Treml moved to Australia in 2007, where she was immediately captivated by the unique wildlife in this country. Drawing on her background in ecology, Renee’s began writing stories and creating illustrations that focused on animals and the environment.
Renee works in her home studio in Fremantle, WA and is available for school, festival and library visits both in person and virtually. She has written and illustrated several picture books including award-winning Once I Heard a Little Wombat, and Wombat Big, Puggle Small, which was read on ABC’s Play School. She is also the creator of the hilarious graphic novels featuring Sherlock Bones and Ollie and Bea.
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