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Charlie, Bob and Me (Harry) Meet Puggles follows a koala, a wombat, and their Australian animal friends as they help a lost baby echidna search for his mother and discover that family can be found in unexpected places. What inspired you to make belonging and found family central themes in Puggles’ story?
Books can be amazing teaching tools, and some young people struggle with belonging, fitting in, and acceptance; you don’t have to be biologically connected to be family.
Why did you choose to represent Puggles’ disability through his malformed feet and difficulty digging?
With our ever-changing environment, I have found that our wildlife is also subject to malformations and disabilities. I felt that using malformed feet in an echidna, was an interesting way to teach young people that even though we are different, we can still be successful and live a full life while overcoming challenges. This is very important as echidnas rely on their back feet to establish new dens.
How did you balance teaching children about Australian wildlife with keeping the story adventurous and entertaining?
I have always liked to use many opportunities as teaching moments. By telling the story from the animals’ perspective, I feel that the story was able to stay adventurous and entertaining without coming across as too educational.
Which character was the most enjoyable to write, and did any of their personalities change during the writing process?
I always like to write about Harry. He is a gruff but very lovable character who keeps the group together. He is the one who always comes up with the big ideas. He is always so brave and stoic. It was good to write him up in a different light when he admitted to his fear of the dark and small spaces.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Join Charlie, Bob and Harry, on an exciting adventure to help Puggles, a young echidna separated from his family after the Big Wet. Puggles, with his unique challenges and positive attitude, embarks on a journey to find his missing family with the help of his newfound friends. As they search high and low along the riverbank and surrounding bushland, encountering friendly faces and overcoming obstacles, Puggles learns the true meaning of friendship and family.
A delightful story that celebrates diversity, resilience and the bonds that unite us all in the Australian bushland.
Charlie, Bob and Me (Harry) The Big Clean Up
Charlie, Bob and Me (Harry) The Big Clean Up, by S.H. Chase, tells the charming story of three animal friends named Harry the Koala, Bob the Wombat, and Charlie the Platypus, all on a mission to clean up their polluted home. Set on the Eastern Coast of Australia, the tale begins when Charlie finds their once beautiful river clogged with trash left behind by careless campers. Determined to make a difference, the trio band together to clean up the mess and teach the humans a lesson about respecting the environment. Along the way, they demonstrate the importance of teamwork, responsibility, and protecting nature.
The writing is simple and light, perfect for younger readers. I found the dynamic between the characters to be a highlight, particularly Harry’s sleepy reluctance, Bob’s gruff nature, and Charlie’s determination. These personalities make the story fun and engaging. Chase gives each character a unique voice that helps drive home the environmental message in an entertaining way.
One of my favorite moments is when Bob suggests getting even by messing up the humans’ homes, an amusing thought that shows his frustration. It’s playful but relatable, as I’m sure many readers can empathize with feeling fed up with litterbugs. The plot, while straightforward, delivers a clear and important lesson about environmental stewardship. I appreciate that Chase doesn’t just preach to the audience but shows the animals taking action to fix the problem. The visual of the animals sneaking around the campers to return their trash was both humorous and poignant. The animals’ quiet efforts to extinguish fires and bag up litter really drive home the idea that small actions can make a big difference. The metaphor of the animals restoring their habitat provides a thoughtful way to encourage young readers to be mindful of their surroundings. By showing the immediate consequences of human carelessness, Chase highlights the power of empathy and accountability, making the message all the more impactful.
Charlie, Bob and Me (Harry) The Big Clean Up is an adorable, environmentally conscious story that I recommend for children and parents alike. It’s a great choice for teachers or anyone looking to introduce young readers to the importance of taking care of the planet. The characters are lovable, the message is timeless, and the story manages to entertain while also educating. If you’re after a lighthearted but meaningful read with a message that will resonate, this book is definitely worth picking up.
Pages: 36 | ISBN: 1838755675
