Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary is set to bring a new event to the Central Coast on Saturday, August 3 and is making great visitor discounts available to celebrate.
The Walkabout Wildlife Book Fair, the first held at the sanctuary, will feature eight books by five authors – four from the Central Coast and one from Sydney.
Singer-songwriter Leigh Hardingham brings his love for music and the Australian bush to his book Three Dancing Frogs.
He said it was one of Sydney-based artist Patrick Shirvington’s beautiful illustrations that inspired the story.
“I asked my three-year-old daughter to tell me what she could see in the painting,” he said.
“Straight away, she said ‘frogs are dancing’.
“The whole idea instantly popped into my head.”
Hardingham will take time off from touring with his Melbourne-based band Royston Vasie to attend the book fair, and he’ll bring a guitar along to accompany his readings during the day.
Biologist and science teacher Dr Ann Goth’s books include Brush-Turkey Needs a Friend, a fun and educational picture book for kids, and Amazing Annoying Birds, a book for adults – and especially keen gardeners – wanting to learn about sharing our habitat with these controversial native birds.
A third book, Volcanic Adventures in Tonga, is her memoir of 17 months researching birds on a remote island in Tonga.
Vet nurse Tanya Middleton wrote Kenny and the Sticky Trap after a distressed kookaburra was brought into the clinic where she works.
“He had flown into a glue trap, and it completely broke my heart,” she said.
While her colourful picture book avoids the more traumatic aspects of this real-life event, it still aims to educate children and their parents about the dangers of these traps.
Ray on the Reef is a lift-the-flap board book perfect for younger children.
Pip Jacobs, who both wrote and illustrated the book, is a passionate marine wildlife enthusiast who developed the book’s rhyming story and vibrant illustrations with her two ocean-loving sons.
A dollar from each sale goes to marine wildlife research and conservation.
Also there on the day will be Sally Jane Smith with her two popular travel books set in Greece.
“My books look like the odd ones out but there’s a chapter that tells of how I moved to Australia to help my sister run Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary all the way back in 2008,” she said.
“Not to mention some shared memories from our youth.
“A few Coasties might be interested in these glimpses into Tassin’s life long before she got involved in wildlife care.”
All tickets for entry on August 3 – but only if visitors provide a special password before entry, Walkabout owner Tassin Barnard said.
“If you’d like to support a particular author, we encourage you to find them on social media and use the ‘secret’ discount code they’re sharing ahead of the event – or use the magic code GDAY6 to pre-purchase tickets to the Book Fair on our website www.walkaboutpark.com.au,” she said.
“Plus, we’re giving away a free annual pass worth $90 to anyone who buys at least one book from each of the five authors on the day.”
In addition to the sanctuary’s ranger-led animal encounters, ticketholders can access an exciting program of activities offered in The Barn, Walkabout’s new educational facility located close to the meerkat enclosure.
There’ll be free kids’ craft activities, readings, musical story times and presentations, as well as book sales, signings and a chance to chat with the writers.
Some are offering special discounts, giveaways, or donating a portion of their profits to wildlife conservation.
While there is a focus on children’s literature, adults can also find their next great read at the book fair, especially if they are interested in travel or wildlife.
The Walkabout Wildlife Book Fair will be held from 9am-3.30pm on Saturday, August 3.
For pre-booked tickets give the discount code GDAY6 at https://ecom.roller.app/walkaboutpark/walkaboutcheckout/en
The sanctuary is at 1 Darkinjung Rd, Calga.
For more details email info@walkaboutpark.com.au or call 4375 1100.
Can’t wait to see everyone there!