Something is killing the waterfall frogs
of Cascade Creek. Ten-year-old Ruthie, along with her mum and dad (Tom and Kate
who are wildlife scientists), and Ruthie’s younger siblings, Liam and Bella, as
well as their pet wombat, Womble, are headed off to the rainforests of Northern
Queensland in their big green bus to investigate. The family has just spent 6
months helping to catch and tag shy rock wallabies. Cascade Creek promises a brand
new adventure. Sadly, when they get there, the frogs have all but disappeared. Luckily
the kids manage to find a frog (whom they call Wanda) but Wanda looks very
sick. When they find a few tadpoles, the same situation prevails: the tadpoles
are thin, not plump and healthy as they should be. They get Wanda and the
tadpoles back to the Wildlife Research Station so Kate can take a better look.
Wanda seems to have some kind of skin condition. Is this killing the frogs of Cascade
Creek and how can it be cured? Luckily, naughty Womble’s playful antics offer a
surprising possible answer!
What a life Ruthie and her family enjoy,
spending time away from the city and experiencing the wonders of nature. The
kids do their lessons via school of the air and spend their days travelling
with their parents around the beautiful Australian countryside. They learn
about plants, animals, insects and a variety of indigenous creatures. They also
learn about caring for the environment and the animals, and how important it is
to preserve even the smallest of creatures, such as a little frog, because each
creature has its part to play in the ecosystem. Author Emma Homes has a lovely
way of inserting information about various animals, their habitats, food, and
threats to their existence into the text. Ruthie is a wonderful role model for young
readers and she is both compassionate and mature in her outlook. Hopefully this
fascinating series will inspire young readers to look up more information about
the animals that Ruthie and her family encounter. A delightful 5-star read that I highly
recommend to all. The Vanishing Frogs of Cascade Creek is available on Amazon.