Growing up on Savernake Station on the Riverina in NSW provided the inspiration for Rev David Sloane to pen a collection of children’s bushland fables.

How the Goanna lost his tail and other fables is written especially for primary school aged children and features many of the native animals that David came to know and love during his childhood.

A portion of the proceeds of the sale of the book will go to Frontier Services to support our work with Indigenous Australians in Central Australia.

David, a retired Uniting Church Minister, who is based in Corowa in NSW, said the book had proved exceptionally popular with grandparents and was also a handy resource for worship leaders looking for a story to share with children.

“In many years of leading worship, I have found that people always respond to good stories,” writes David in his introduction. “There is something about a story that conveys truth far more effectively than simple abstract reasoning.”

“The stories that I have included are some of my favourites that I have picked up over 40 years of mainly

rural ministry. They include some well-known stories and less well-known stories and my homespun Australian animal fables. The latter I made up from my childhood experiences growing up on a southern Riverina farming property, and observing nature around me.”

The book contains more than 50 short stories with a message in each story. It is beautifully illustrated in colour and black and white by Kelly Abbott.

The cost of the book is $20 and can be purchased directly from David Sloane. Postage is $4.50 for one, $9 for two or $13.50 for three or more books. To order the book, send a cheque to David Sloane, 26 Birdwood St, Corowa, NSW, 2646.

Frontier Services is very grateful to receive a portion of the proceeds from the book.