Perry and Perky

"Perry and Perky – The Adventures Continue" is the second picture book about the adventures of Perry, an endearing pygmy-possum, and his friend Perky, a quirky quokka.  It is the sequel to "Nobody’s Friend (But that’s not where it ends!)" and contains five different stories which are designed to be read to children up to 7 years of age.  Both books were illustrated in watercolours by acclaimed Australian artist, Emma Stuart.  In this latest book, Perry and Perky continue their adventures—travelling by brumby, motor bike, aeroplane and spaceship.  As they travel, they meet up with a group of burrowing animals around a campfire, a patch of petunias on strike, wildlife thieves, and pear-shaped creatures from another planet. It also contains subtle life lessons.   This book is also available as a hardback. 

The synopsis of each story is as follows:

  “A Peaceful Place”:  When the brumby they’d been travelling on needed to rest, Perry and Perky meet Winston Wombat and his burrowing friends at a campfire and they tell Perry and Perky why they are there. 

  “The Petunia Patch”:  Perry dreams that the petunias have closed their petals because the insects take their nectar and pollen without permission.  A petunia explains why, and from then on, everyone practised good manners.   

  “Perky Proves He Can”: Wildlife thieves capture Perry and Perky. Perry’s torpor-time prevents him from doing anything about it so it’s up to Perky to save them all.

  “Pyrusians”:  A spaceship carrying pear-shaped creatures from Planet Pyrus crashes into a rainforest on Earth. Cammie and Leon are playing outside the spaceship despite being told not to leave it. The children learn that disobedience has its consequences. 

  “Planet Pyrus”: Cammie and Leon go back to school after returning to Planet Pyrus.  When Cammie says there is life on other planets, she is called a liar.  Pyrusians were just green, pear-shaped blobs didn’t believe anything else was possible.  She and Leon brought Perry and Perky to school as proof.  In due course, Pyrus becomes ablaze with colour.