Into the Forest

Illustrated by Francesca Ficorilli
Published by Cengage Learning Australia, 2025

Charlie has just moved to the country. He's living in a new home. He has a new dog. And he's nervous about starting at a new school. When Charlie and his neighbour Lucy find huge footprints in Lucy's paddock, they wonder if it has something to do with Yowie Forest nearby. Charlie doesn't want anything to do with huge, hairy yowies, if they're real ' but when his dog runs into the forest, he might not have a choice!

I’ve always loved the lush, shadowy forests of North Queensland and the vocal wildlife that lives there. I especially love the mysterious feeling of the unknown that sweeps over you as you walk deeper into the forest. I do lots of thinking while walking. On one of those forestry walks, I started to think about how long some of the trees had been here. A very long time! Then I thought about the traditional owners of the land, who have also been here a very long time telling their Dreaming stories about the forest and the creatures that might live there. One particular great tall hairy creature sprang to mind… the yowie! I hope you enjoy the journey into the forest with Charlie, Lucy and Bubbles.
I dedicate this book to the Juru people, past, present and the future for allowing the use of their yowie folklore in this story and to North Queensland’s forests, for being an inspiration.

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