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Unique Part of Australian Fauna
Bush-Turkey Needs a Friend follows a curious young bird who embarks on a journey of self-discovery while trying to find a friend who resembles himself. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I have been studying Australian brush-turkeys (commonly known as bush-turkeys) for many years and I realised that even though they are such a unique part of Australian fauna, children know very little about them.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
First, to educate children about the very special way a brush-turkey incubates its eggs (by dumping them in mounds of leaf litter), and about their unique approach to parenting (not looking after your young at all).
Second, as a teacher, to address personal issues that many children face – is it ok to be different? How patient do I need to be before I can find a friend?
Are there any books or authors that inspired you to become a writer?
Among the children’s books all those that promote Australian wildlife to young readers, such as On the Trails of the Plains Wanderer by Rohan Cleeve.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I’d prefer to skip that question – still thinking about it. Not sure really! I just had to write this book because it was bothering me that children know so little about brush-turkeys.
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Benefits of reading Bush Turkey Needs a Friend:
Uplifting animal adventure with valuable life lessons about friendships and the power of self-acceptance.
Creating an emotional connection to a young bird that initially struggles to find a friend.
A newfound understanding of the Brush (Bush) Turkey, a remarkable Australian native bird found in bush and backyards.
Reading level varies from child to child, but we recommend this book for ages 3 to 8.
Other Conservationists Like Me
Volcanic Adventures in Tonga- Species Conservation on Tin Can Island follows your journey to Tonga and your experiences trying to save an endangered bird while experiencing a new culture. Why was it important for you to share your experiences in this book?
I had three important reasons for writing this book. First, I was hoping to familiarize my readers more with Tonga, its people and fascinating culture. This island kingdom is not as well known as other South Pacific destinations and has also received depressive coverage in the news lately following the devastating eruption of the Hunga Ha’apai-Hunga Tonga volcano in 2022. There is much more to these islands and they are worth visiting, either in real or at least from your armchair, while reading my book. They also need help with issues such as drinking water supply, sanitation, and education, and I hope that my book may encourage various government and non-government organisations to invest in providing such assistance.
Second, I aim to bring the reality of conservation work in remote locations closer to readers who may not be aware of either the struggles or the joy such work can bring with it. Many other conservationists like me show remarkable resilience when confronted with different cultures to live in, adverse climates, paucity of fresh food, deteriorating equipment, stinging bugs, illness and the threat of being stuck in a remote place for longer than expected. At the same time, they, too, are often driven by relentless enthusiasm and dedication to their work. Hence, my second aim was not only to rally support for the endangered bird I studied in Tonga but also for the work of all conservationists working under similar conditions worldwide.
My third aim was to stop the nagging of my friends and family. They had told me repeatedly that my stories from Tonga, conveyed in snippets during conversations, must be written down and would make a gripping tale. They also knew that I had my letters from Tonga with detailed accounts that I could base my book on. The final nagging kick came from my PhD supervisor, Prof. Darryl Jones, who declared that my stories had all the adventure, intrigue, romance, discovery and danger you would expect from one of those breathless traveller’s tales from the past, and that a book with all these features, but based on my real escapade to Tonga rather than a tale, would be a compelling read for many. I thank all these people for their prodding and encouragement.
What is your favorite memory of your time in the South Pacific? Also, what is one experience you would have avoided at all costs if you could?
May I pick two favorite memories, please, as I can’t decide? The first one is from a day about three months into our stay on remote Tin Can Island. It relates to the feeling of finally being accepted by the locals, after months of preparations to get to that isolated place and trying to learn the language and local customs. My partner and I had hitched a lift on the trailer of the only working tractor on the island. Every inch of it was filled with firewood, banana leaves, and coconuts as well as baskets full of fish, cooking bananas or root vegetables. The coconuts served as rather uneven seats for the locals, while space was made for us to sit on our backpack barrels. I felt rather jammed in-between so many men and their supplies, but it also felt good. The men were courteous, passed me young coconuts to drink and kept away branches that threatened to hit us in the face. My attempts to hold short dialogues in Tongan language, about the local treat Ofato (a beetle larvae eaten alive) and other delicacies, were received with a big warm smile. One local even commented on how my appearance had changed from ‘small fat’ to more ‘big fat’, which is a nice thing to say in Tonga. I felt like I was just one of them, not just a palangi – a white person – standing outside their culture all the time.
My second favorite memory is that of finally being able to observe the mysterious volcano bird that was the focus of our conservation efforts. This bird is unique in that it uses a volcano as an incubator instead of sitting on its eggs, and it also completely abandons its chicks. I had spent hours sitting in a bird hide, covered in sweat from the high humidity. Finally, a pair of these Tongan megapodes arrived and the female dug a metre or so deep hole into the ground to lay her egg while the male watched from nearby. After they had refilled the burrow and left, the head of a little chick that had hatched from an egg laid 60 days ago, emerged from the burrow. The little guy had dug itself out of its underground volcanic nest and was about to start life all on its own, without any help from its parents. I was so fascinated!
An experience I would have avoided? Becoming sick with a parasite that nobody knew existed in that part of the world. It had become established through a bizarre combination of events, all of which described in my book, and I was so sick towards the end of my stay that the already limited choice of foods was even more limited by what I could digest.
With so many experiences to recount from your 17-month adventure, what were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
In our Western society, we talk about mindfulness and living in the moment. Tongans have mastered this skill for a long time and their version is simply “Tongan Time”: don’t worry about the future, enjoy the now, and don’t care too much about punctuality and getting things done in time. But it also means they often don’t pay too much attention to planning ahead. If a cyclone that is known to arrive in Tonga happens to hit on a Sunday, when the shops are closed, that is bad luck. Many locals may not have any supplies left because they did not plan that far ahead. If you, as a white person, are trying to establish when a ferry may leave that you can catch to a remote island, you may, like us, be given three possible answers in apparently random order: In a while, in a little while, or in a long while. Tongan Time!
The second idea encompasses the importance that Tongans place on families, oral traditions, storytelling and respect for elders. In my book, I have tried to bring alive the high value Tongans place on positive social interactions and it may leave my readers pondering about how much this aspect of living is lacking in our lives.
And third, I was hoping to demonstrate that a book can transport you to a world far removed from your own, and that reading such adventure stories will make you feel more grateful again for home comforts of electricity, showers, the internet and books to read.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?
That all of us can achieve far more than we ever imagine!
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Are you a traveller with a wanderlust for faraway islands, an enthusiast for Tongan culture, an explorer wanting to learn about a mysterious part of the world, or a lover of exotic birds? This thrilling adventure takes you to far-away places – volcanoes overdue to erupt and coral cays rarely visited by most people.
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to live a simple existence on a remote Pacific Island? To leave the world behind and live in ‘Tongan Time’? Are you intrigued to learn about the mysterious ‘volcano bird’ that buries its eggs and abandons its chicks completely?
Join Ann and her boyfriend on a 17-month escapade on the isolated Tongan islands, where they try to save an endangered bird from extinction while living in a very different culture to their own. Guided by a youthful passion for conservation and authentic cultures, Ann tests her physical and mental stamina when confronted with cyclones, stifling humidity, stinging bugs, little fresh food, illness, and the imminent danger of volcanic eruptions.
This book is likely to leave you grateful for home comforts of electricity, showers, the internet and books to read, or perhaps it will entice you to consider a life changing adventure of your own. You can achieve far more than you ever imagine!
Volcanic Adventures in Tonga – Species Conservation on Tin Can Island
Volcanic Adventures in Tonga is an enthralling travel memoir that blurs the lines between fact and fiction, taking readers on a captivating journey to the remote Kingdom of Tonga alongside scientist Ann Göth. Departing from the picturesque Austrian Alps in the early 90s, a spirited 21-year-old Ann, accompanied by her German boyfriend and fellow scientist, Ivo, embarks on a daring 17-month expedition to save the endangered “Malau” bird, whose existence is exclusive to the volcanic island of Niuafo’ou. These enigmatic chicken-like creatures emerge from subterranean nests, buried deep beneath the ground.
In this vividly portrayed memoir, Ann and Ivo’s modest abode, a humble hut constructed from wood and leaves, becomes their sanctuary amidst the untamed beauty of Tonga. Here, they immerse themselves in the unhurried rhythm of life, embracing the “Anga faka Tonga,” the laid-back lifestyle unique to the region. The enchanting melodies of kava-drinkers echo through their hearts, while they marvel at the intricate craftsmanship of handwoven mats and traditional church dresses. Adventurous palates relish the indigenous cuisine, savoring dishes like breadfruit, succulent meats bathed in coconut water, and the delectable “Tongan ice cream.”
Despite grappling with concerns over animal welfare and the local consumption of Malau eggs, Ann and Ivo cultivate meaningful relationships with the Tongan community, earning the privilege of bestowing a name upon a newborn baby. However, the stark contrasts in Tonga leave an indelible impression on their minds: the regal Tongan king, stepping onto a ceremonial mat at the airport adorned with elegant German eyewear, juxtaposed with impoverished children, their innocent faces marked by bug bites, indulging in beetle larvae. Months of arduous camping and tireless excavation culminate in the relocation of Malau eggs to Late Island, thereby accomplishing their mission. Yet, as Ann succumbs to the allure of “island fever,” bidding farewell to Tin Can Island becomes inevitable. Within the pages of this captivating memoir, readers are transported to a world far removed from their own—a paradise juxtaposed with an inferno. Stunning coral islands surrounded by turquoise waters and pristine white sands stand in stark contrast to the pervasive poverty, environmental degradation, and the discomforts of fleas, bed bugs, and poor sanitation. Yet, it is impossible not to be awed by Ann and Ivo’s unwavering determination, profound passion, and extraordinary resilience. Through sleepless tropical nights, debilitating illnesses, relentless insect bites, and clothes stiffened by dirt and sweat, the tenacity of these “beautiful small fat palangi” shines through. Their unwavering spirit persists, even in the face of constant volcanic threats.
In Volcanic Adventures in Tonga, Ann Göth faithfully fulfills a promise she made to herself three decades ago. Her exceptional tales of volcanic exploration have been meticulously preserved within the pages of this remarkable book, which undoubtedly deserves a five-star rating. Seamlessly blending captivating storytelling with enlightening information, Ann’s contagious passion resonates from the first page to the last, creating an immersive experience that will captivate readers seeking an escape to a world both mesmerizing and unforgiving.
Pages: 277 | ASIN : B0BZSJT5TT
LITERARY TITAN 