From the back cover: "Here are six appealing stories about the small creatures, both wild and tame, for whom the High Country is home. Every detail of their busy lives - often hilarious, now and then close to disaster, but always fascinating - has been captured by Mona Anderson in her clear, heart-warming style to delight and adults alike Through these pages, we share Joey the kea's daring flights and wicked pranks, Ozwega's transformation from a poor, battered "ugly duckling" into a handsome muscovy drake, Needlenose the hedgehog's terrible manners (the despair of his polite parents) and much more. Illustrated with fine, true-to-nature colour paintings, Mona's funny, loving little High Country friends become ours too."
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National Library Entry
Home is the high country : my small animal friends / Mona Anderson ; illustrated by David Cowe. Date: 2003-1979 By: Anderson, Mona., Cowe, David. Identifier: ISBN 1869487923 (pbk.)
Summary: Collection of tales written for children, about the author's encounters with small creatures, both wild and tame, who live in the Canterbury high country
Notes: A kea on the roof -- Ozwega, the muscovy drake -- Jimmy and Slippers -- Percy Possum -- Algie and Audrey, the paradise ducks -- Needlenose and other hedgehogs.
First published: 1979.
Publisher: Auckland [N.Z.] : Reed, 2003. Format: 72 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 25 cm.
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Mona Anderson is best known for her book, "A River Rules My Life", published in 1963. She lived on Mt Algidus Station with her husband, the station manager, and in her books, she shared about her life of high country farming in the isolated Canterbury region. Her books were very well-loved by New Zealanders and she received an MBE in 1980 for her services to literature.
"Home is High Country (My Small Animal Friends)" was published in 1979 and is a collection of short stories about animals that Mona has reared or encountered while living on the station. She has written specifically with children in mind. This book is definitely a living book. The stories are well written, and full of wonderful language and descriptions. If you love James Herriot, it has a similar style. She cleverly intertwines the behaviours of the animals into the tales, so you are always learning about the animals and their relationships with the land and with humans.
I highly recommend this book for your Kiwi nature collection. It would make a great family read-aloud. There are some unforgettable characters in these stories. My favourite is Percy the Possum. Other major animals mentioned are keas, ducks, puppies, and hedgehogs.
Each story is illustrated with beautiful coloured paintings by David Cowe. There are still plenty of second-hand copies available online and in second-hand bookshops. Also, check out your local library. The original published book has a cat on the cover.
Parents note: The word "ass" is used 3 times.