Hopscotch and her mum, Mango, are by the river with their mob of kangaroos. They love munching on the grass and bouncing here and there. Some swim while others lay in the grass watching the butterfly flutter.
One day there are drops of rain falling from the sky. The drops get heavier. There is thunder and lightening and the rain pours down. Hopscotch is in her mum’s pouch as she bounds along. She is getting big now and her face, feet and the last bit of her tail poke out.
The rain continues all night and the next day. The mob of kangaroos take shelter under trees, but the water is rising. Four days pass and the rain still pours down. The mob bounds uphill where there is a house at the top. Animals crowd around the veranda: wallabies, magpies, cockatoos and even a python.
In town, people are gathered together, looking after each other. Max has a kayak and is ready to help.
As the river rises, Mango and Hopscotch realise they must abandon the house on the hill so they leap into the water to swim. ‘They kick their big hind legs. They use their tails as rudders.’ But Mango and Hopscotch are getting tired. Hopscotch is not sure she can go on.
Then they see a bright orange kayak coming towards them.
I love this story. It’s inspired by true stories of animal rescues that happen in times of need.
Beautifully told and illustrated, Mango and Hopscotch actually left me with tears in my eyes …
Reviewed by Emily Ross
Age Guide 3+
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Visit Sophie Cunningham’s website
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATORI was born and raised in Turkey. Then moved to Australia in early 2011 and have been trying to get used to the local eight-legged house intruders and slithering visitors to our garden ever since.
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