Windcatcher

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Migration of the Short-tailed Shearwater

By: Diane Jackson Hill Illustrated by: Craig Smith

eBook - October 2019 - eRetailers

Follow the amazing 30,000 kilometre annual migration of the short-tailed shearwater.

A short-tailed shearwater flies from the edge of the Southern Ocean to the rim of the Arctic Circle – and back – every year. This remarkable 30,000 kilometre journey is driven by seabird law. + Full description

Instinct and community will guide her.

A wingspan the size of a child’s outstretched arms will support her.

But first, she must catch the wind …

Based on birds that live on Griffiths Island, near Port Fairy, Victoria, Windcatcher is a tale of migration, conservation and survival that begins with one small bird called Hope.

Written by award-winning children’s author Diane Jackson Hill and illustrated by Craig Smith, one of Australia’s most prolific and popular illustrators, Windcatcher explores the mysteries of seabird migration.

Reading level varies from child to child, but we recommend this book for ages 6-9.

Notable Book, The CBCA Picture Book of the Year 2020
Certificate of Commendation, The Royal Zoological Society of NSW 2020 Whitley Awards: Children's Book

- Short description

News

Read more on our blog
Author Diane Jackson Hill talks about her inspiration for the book: Windcatcher: An amazing tale of migration, conservation and survival
Illustrator Craig Smith shares what it was like bringing the story of this plucky bird to life: Science Illustrated: Q&A with Craig Smith

Reviews

"The children will love this book as Diane Jackson Hill tells the story through a baby Shearwater called Hope. ...The beautiful illustrations by Craig Smith bring the whole remarkable story to life and we are left to wonder how these little birds find their way by just using their own instincts on the same day every year."
Good Reading Magazine, November 2019

"[T]he landscape A4-sized hardback format is comfortable to hold if reading to a child; the water colour illustrations [are] beautifully designed and coloured; and the story has just enough tension to hold interest but not frighten younger children. This means that conservation issues are also incorporated seamlessly with wonder at the migration effort."
Janette Lenz, Canberra Bird Notes 44(3), December 2019

"The facts alone make this captivating, and children will soak it all up as the story progresses through vivid illustrations that highlight the majesty of the shearwaters' lifecycle and the extreme challenges and dangers they all face."
Mike Sullivan, Wildlife Australia, Summer 2019

"The author and illustrator have created a story with emotion and tension where we care about Hope and the other fledgling chicks, as the wind lifts them, and their instincts draw them onward."
Kids Book Review, 18 January 2020

"Windcatcher: Migration of the Short-Tailed Shearwater is a visually stunning text, beautifully illustrated."
Alexandra Parrington, Teaching Science 65(4), December 2019

"A gently compelling narrative paired with evocative illustrations that generate a dynamic sense of the bird’s journey, Windcatcher conveys a wonderful sense of the mystery of bird migration"
Australian Birdlife, December 2019

Details

Features

Remarkable story of the migration of the short-tailed shearwater from the Southern Ocean to the Arctic Circle and back.
Explores themes of seabird migration, conservation and survival.
From the author and illustrator of the 2017 Wilderness Society Environmental Award for Children’s Literature picture fiction book winner, Chooks in Dinner Suits: A Tale of Big Dogs and Little Penguins (Museum Victoria).

Authors

Award-winning children’s author Diane Jackson Hill has always been drawn to the ocean and the creatures that call it home. A former primary school teacher, Diane’s books educate children about the marine environment in a bid to help protect and restore it for future generations.

Craig Smith is one of Australia’s most prolific and popular illustrators. He has been illustrating children’s books for over 40 years, and has published over 400 titles.

Windcatcher is the second book that Diane and Craig have published together, with their previous book Chooks in Dinner Suits: A Tale of Big Dogs and Little Penguins (Museum Victoria, 2017) winning the 2017 Wilderness Society Environmental Award for Children’s Literature - picture fiction.

For Teachers

We have created these Teacher Notes as a free PDF download to support the use of this book in the classroom.

Teacher Notes (7.17 MB)