Rakali of the Riverbank

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By: Stephanie Owen Reeder Illustrated by: Rachel Gregg

eBook - July 2025 - eRetailers

Explore the night with Rakali as he hunts for food, patrols the riverbank and dodges threats.

As the sun sets, Rakali prepares to patrol the riverbank. He is on a mission to fill his belly, protect his pups and keep his home safe. But he must face feral foxes, disease-carrying black rats and toxic cane toads. Will he make it safely back to his burrow before the sun rises? + Full description

Rakali of the Riverbank is an engaging look at a night in the life of an Australian native water rat, and the challenges that these unique and charming creatures face.

Reading level varies from child to child, but we recommend this book for ages 5 to 9.

- Short description

Reviews

"Rakali of the Riverbank is a winner in many varied ways. The perfectly matching illustrations, the strong storytelling, and the educational aspect bring alive the night as we join Rakali."
Jane Stephens, Good Reading, July 2025

"Stephanie Owen Reeder’s engaging and descriptive text is accompanied by beautiful illustrations from Rachel Gregg that bring Rakali’s world to life. Plus, a glossary and information pages at the end of the book allow older readers to learn more about this native Australian water rat."
Books+Publishing Junior Book Club, July 2025

"Beautifully illustrated, young readers will love this non-fiction book, which encourages conservation of our aquatic habitats and the native creatures that call them home."
Buzz Words Books, July 2025

"Another quality publication from both Reeder and CSIRO Publishing that gives young readers a sneak peek into the habits and habitats of some of our not-so-well-known creatures that could inspire greater appreciation and exploration."
Barbara Braxton, The Bottom Shelf, July 2025

"This is a really good narrative non-fiction book. It's got gorgeous lyrical lines […] backed up with great information, habitat maps, appearance descriptions and a glossary."
Megan Daley, Your Kid's Next Read (Podcast) Episode 206, June 2025

"Alongside Stephanie’s wonderfully descriptive text are the illustrations from Rachel Gregg, using a highly attractive and appropriate palette of aquas, teals, blues and shades of brown, with realistic artwork that still has that picture book appeal for young readers – and glorious endpapers!"
Sue Warren, Just So Stories (blog), 8 June 2025

"It’s a dangerous world for the native rodent and Reeder manages to imbibe her story with drama, adventure, and information to excite and educate curious young minds. Loads of additional facts in the end-papers will have young readers poring over this book for ages, no doubt enticing them to discover more about this enigmatic and gutsy rodent hero."
Little Darlings (Facebook), 13 August 2025

"This is a thoughtful blend of story, science and environmental education - perfect for classrooms and curious minds."
abbys_fabulous_library (Instagram), 6 August 2025

"Stephanie uses lively and engaging prose to involve the reader in the adventures of the rakali while conveying heaps of information about its habitat, habits, family life, and enemies (both native and feral). The illustrations bring all this activity to life in the soft muted colours of the night time."
Mia Macrossan, StoryLinks, 23 August 2025

Details

Hardback | July 2025 | $ 26.99
ISBN: 9781486317547 | 32 pages | 250 x 250 mm
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Colour illustrations

ePDF | July 2025
ISBN: 9781486317554
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Available from eRetailers

ePUB | July 2025
ISBN: 9781486317561
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Available from eRetailers

Features

Explores the night-time activities of the rakali – one of only two amphibious mammals in Australia.
Highlights the threats rakali face each day from feral and introduced species, humanmade fish traps, urbanisation and climate change.
Shares facts about the rakali, including tips on how to identify and help protect them.
Encourages conservation of our aquatic habitats and the native creatures that call them home.

Main story
The remarkable rakali
Glossary
Acknowledgements

Authors

Dr Stephanie Owen Reeder is the author of over 20 historical and environmental books for children, including Swifty and Sensational Australian Animals. She has won both the CBCA Book of the Year Award and the NSW Premier’s History Award.

Rachel Gregg works as an illustrator, photographer, performer and educator on Gundungurra Country. She was awarded the Ian Wilson Memorial Fellowship (May Gibbs Children’s Literature Trust, 2019). Rachel is also a wildlife rescuer, has six animal companions and her nickname is Rat!

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 (703.35 KB)