Emu

Did you know it’s the emu father who protects the chicks? Follow a doting dad as he keeps his brood safe—from when they’re granite-green eggs until they’re all grown up.

In the open eucalyptus forest of Australia, an emu as tall as a human settles down on his nest to warm and protect the eggs left by his mate. When they hatch, the chicks will be ten times bigger than domestic chicken hatchlings and covered in chocolate-and-cream stripes to provide camouflage in the grasslands. This unusual family sticks together until the hatchlings grow up, facing dangers that include eagles and dingoes. Ornithologically inclined youngsters will delight in this visually striking chronicle full of fun emu facts.

Claire Saxby is the author of many books for young readers, including Big Red Kangaroo. She lives in Australia.

Graham Byrne has worked as an electrical engineer, builder, and artist. Big Red Kangaroo by Claire Saxby was his first picture book. He lives in Australia.