Where the Heart Is

by Gold, Irma; Crispe, Susannah

• ISBN13: 9781925820874
• ISBN10: 1925820874
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2021-06-22
• Publisher: EK Books

Summary

In 2011, Dindim the Magellanic penguin, washed up on an island beach near Rio de Janeiro. He was rescued by a man called Joao, who nursed him back to health, and created a lifelong bond. Since then, Dindim has spent most of every year with Joao, leaving only to travel 8000 miles to the Patagonia coasts of Argentina and Chile. Where the Heart Is was inspired by this extraordinary true story.

With beautiful prose and stunning illustrations, Dindim’s story will capture the hearts of young readers and adults alike. His journey across the ocean highlights both the little penguin’s intrepid nature and the variety of wildlife he meets along the way. From whales to albatross, children will discover the kaleidoscope of life that exists in the ocean.

Where the Heart Is also offers a window into discussing big issues with young readers, such as the oil spill that almost killed Dindim, and the effects of climate change on animal habitats. Magellanic penguins are a near threatened species, and it is vitally important to increase our awareness of the dangers faced by these beautiful birds.

Poignant, moving, funny and heartfelt, Dindim and Joao’s story is a celebration of friendship and nature. It explores the deep bond that can form between humans and animals, and encourages children to think more about the incredible animals who share our world.

Author Biography

Irma Gold is an award-winning author and editor of books for adults and children. She is the author of five picture books and is Ambassador for the ACT Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge. She is also the author of a novel, The Breaking, and a short fiction collection, Two Steps Forward. As a freelance editor she works for publishers big and small, and for a decade she was Convener of Editing at the University of Canberra. Irma is Co-host of the Secrets from the Green Room podcast.

Susannah Crispe is a Canberra-based wildlife illustrator, inspired by a background in zoology and art history, and a love of beautifully crafted books. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Art History from the University of Sydney (2008) and studied Zoology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of New England. Wildlife and travel are big parts of Susannah’s life. She has worked as a volunteer research assistant with several organisations in Australia, including working with wild Tasmanian Devils, Quolls and Bettongs, and volunteered at the National Zoo and Aquarium working with native Australian animals. She has also traveled extensively, including to Chile, where she was lucky enough to visit a Magellanic Penguin colony. In terms of illustration, Susannah is largely self-taught, and works primarily in watercolor and digital collage. She has been illustrating professionally for four years for a range of clients, producing a large selection of greeting cards, logo designs and wildlife artworks. Susannah is a stay-at-home-mum, where reading books with the kids forms a huge part of her everyday routine. Where the Heart Is is her first book.