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Smooch & Rose
'A lovely tale for anybody who cares about the welfare of our native fauna - and whose heart melts at the thought of cuddling a koala.' Buzz Words
When Rose and Gran save a baby koala from a pack of blood-hungry dogs, he's named Smooch, because he loves to cuddle. Rose is deliciously happy - caring for bush babies is her dream come true! But things change for the worse when Gran gets a letter from the bank. Does this mean they have to sell the farm? Then Uncle Malcolm mentions bulldozers and Rose realises it's not just her that's at stake.
Younger readers will delight in this story with heart, especially Rose's love for animals and her courage and determination to fight the developers who are out to destroy everything she holds dear.
When Rose and Gran save a baby koala from a pack of blood-hungry dogs, he's named Smooch, because he loves to cuddle. Rose is deliciously happy - caring for bush babies is her dream come true! But things change for the worse when Gran gets a letter from the bank. Does this mean they have to sell the farm? Then Uncle Malcolm mentions bulldozers and Rose realises it's not just her that's at stake.
Younger readers will delight in this story with heart, especially Rose's love for animals and her courage and determination to fight the developers who are out to destroy everything she holds dear.
138 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 7, 2015
author: Samantha Wheeler
first published: 2013
Includes: How to care for an injured koala, how to save their habitat, other facts.
Recommended by Daughter.
Unlike many children's books which delve into environmental concerns, Smooch and Rose isn't single tone. Wheeler doesn't focus solely on the plight of koalas. Instead she gives a well rounded children's book that uses the safe-guarding of Smooch to tell an empowering story of dealing with loss.
- Death of parents.
- Death of a pet.
- Loss of home.
- Loss of the environment.
- Growing up.
- Loss of identity.
A normal girl who has problems at school, who clams up when speaking in class, who is still dealing with the loss of her parents some years later... And who finds her calling in caring for hurt or orphaned native animals.
An enchanting book. An empowering story. Beautifully told.
Age:
Read aloud - 7+
Read yourself - 8+
References:
Author's webpage: http://www.samanthawheeler.com.au/
(ISBN 978-0-7022-4986-0)
-CR-
first published: 2013
Includes: How to care for an injured koala, how to save their habitat, other facts.
Recommended by Daughter.
Unlike many children's books which delve into environmental concerns, Smooch and Rose isn't single tone. Wheeler doesn't focus solely on the plight of koalas. Instead she gives a well rounded children's book that uses the safe-guarding of Smooch to tell an empowering story of dealing with loss.
- Death of parents.
- Death of a pet.
- Loss of home.
- Loss of the environment.
- Growing up.
- Loss of identity.
A normal girl who has problems at school, who clams up when speaking in class, who is still dealing with the loss of her parents some years later... And who finds her calling in caring for hurt or orphaned native animals.
An enchanting book. An empowering story. Beautifully told.
Age:
Read aloud - 7+
Read yourself - 8+
References:
Author's webpage: http://www.samanthawheeler.com.au/
(ISBN 978-0-7022-4986-0)
-CR-
July 8, 2014
First a disclaimer: I recently met the beautiful Sam Wheeler and she launched my book Happy Pants for me in Brisbane. I liked the sound of her book - wildlife protection and a girl set on saving the world - what's not to love...but was a bit nervous about reading it because I really wanted to like it. Thankfully, I wasn't disappointed. Rose and her gran save Smooch (a baby koala) after his Mum is found half-dead and surrounded by marauding dogs. Thus begins the story of a girl and a koala and her goal to save his habitat. This was a fast-paced story that I think would appeal to the target audience. Rose was an action kid and very likable. Things did tie up very neatly in the end but I think that's kind of okay for this age group.
July 14, 2014
A beautiful and well crafted tale of the power of one.
Rose is a young girl who chooses to stand up for threatened wildlife and in so doing gains the power to stand up for herself.
Samantha Wheeler has deep knowledge and understanding of both children and threatened Australian wildlife.
Luckily for us and our children, she has the literary skill and ability to weave this knowledge and understanding into a fast moving, totally readable and believable tale.
We can't wait for the sequel.
Rose is a young girl who chooses to stand up for threatened wildlife and in so doing gains the power to stand up for herself.
Samantha Wheeler has deep knowledge and understanding of both children and threatened Australian wildlife.
Luckily for us and our children, she has the literary skill and ability to weave this knowledge and understanding into a fast moving, totally readable and believable tale.
We can't wait for the sequel.
November 6, 2013
Told in the first person the voice of Rose is authentic and passionate. A wonderful and well-crafted story which captured my heart and interest very quickly. I found it hard to put down. Highly recommended for mid to upper primary.
July 2, 2013
A good read for mid-upper primary - includes websites to find out more about saving endangered animals. Rose is not the cleverest girl in the class and has self-doubt but her passion saves the day.
October 8, 2020
Read to my daughter. This is a first novel and it does read as such. The plotting and more particularly the pacing are a little uneven. But it is an interesting story with good and interesting elements. My daughter is going through a Koala phase so this perfectly fit with that.
A good and inspiring story whilst still fairly realistic even if parts of the ending feel underdeveloped/rushed. eg. not sure what to make of her school mates cheering her at the end.
Still for something a little different with interesting situations and what have you its very good and I can see me reading more by the author with my daughter.
A good and inspiring story whilst still fairly realistic even if parts of the ending feel underdeveloped/rushed. eg. not sure what to make of her school mates cheering her at the end.
Still for something a little different with interesting situations and what have you its very good and I can see me reading more by the author with my daughter.
May 23, 2020
What a beautiful story. Simple in its format of animal loving child who speaks out on behalf of the voiceless creatures losing their homes (koalas specifically in this story) yet the extra elements crafted a story that truly connects to both characters and story in a manner that ensures you read right to the end (even though you can usually guess the end of stories like these). You really want to stand by Rose as she finds her voice.
July 7, 2015
Like Gran always said, 'Things don't have to be big to be special.'
When Rose and Gran save a baby koala from a pack of blood-hungry dogs, he's named Smooch because he lives to cuddle. With the help of wildlife carer Carol, Rose and her dog Lizzie look after Smooch until he is old enough to make the trees in their strawberry farm his home. Rose is deliciously happy - caring for bush babies is her dream come true!
But things change for the worse when Gran gets a letter from the bank. Does this mean they have to sell the farm? The Uncle Malcom mentions bulldozers and Rosie realises that it's not just her home that's at steak.
Rise has a voice and wants to make a difference but what can one girl and her koala do?
When Rose and Gran save a baby koala from a pack of blood-hungry dogs, he's named Smooch because he lives to cuddle. With the help of wildlife carer Carol, Rose and her dog Lizzie look after Smooch until he is old enough to make the trees in their strawberry farm his home. Rose is deliciously happy - caring for bush babies is her dream come true!
But things change for the worse when Gran gets a letter from the bank. Does this mean they have to sell the farm? The Uncle Malcom mentions bulldozers and Rosie realises that it's not just her home that's at steak.
Rise has a voice and wants to make a difference but what can one girl and her koala do?
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews