True animal tales: Kung Fu Kangaroo by Merv Lamington and Allison Langton

True animal tales: Kung Fu Kangaroo by Merv Lamington and Allison Langton

Based on a true story, Kung Fu Kangaroo is a feel good story about finding what you are good at and being able to help others.

Meet Chops. She comes from a long line of boxing kangaroos but there is one problem – she is not interested in keeping on this family tradition and dreams of being something different – A KUNG FU KANGAROO!

But although Chops tries hard, she just can’t do the moves and with a heavy heart leaves her home and all of her friends to try and work out who she is.

On her journey she not only discovers the world beyond her family home she also meets a friendly farmer called Len.

It is here when Len has an accident that Chops discovers her true ability and saves the day!

Based on a true story about a kangaroo who did save a farmer, this story shows just how wonderful animals are – and how wonderful each of us can be when we stop comparing ourselves to others and realise how great we each are.

Kung Fu Kangaroo is a wonderful story to teach children about believing in yourself, realising your own strengths and trying new things.

It is also a great story to show children how a simple Factual story can be changed into a work of fiction – making stories like this more accessible to younger readers.

So what else can you do with this book?

  • Explore other books in this series: True animal tales
  • Look at some other true stories and discuss how we can ‘anthropomorphise’ animals to create a fun story.
  • Discuss the need to believe in yourself and how important that is in our every day lives.
  • Learn more about kangaroos and how they have interacted with humans over time.

Testimonials – Jack and Jill Kindergarten, Berowra.

Testimonials - Jack and Jill Kindergarten, Berowra.

Thanks so much Vanessa for coming out and sharing your book “The Bee Detectives” with our children 3-5 years old. The experience allowed them to learn so much more about Bees. We have had our native Bees for several years and had beekeepers out before. Your book took an in-depth look into classification, different ways they live, how they collect pollen and make honey.  It created lots of meaningful conversation with the children; your interactive book reading allowed them to share these ideas with each other. The extended activity afterwards of the magnifiers provided by Vanessa was a great extension to the book. The children were so excited to be their very own Bee detectives and really extended their learning.

Vanessa Ryan-Rendall
2021-05-17T03:33:47+00:00

Testimonials - Jack and Jill Kindergarten, Berowra. Thanks so much Vanessa for coming out and sharing your book “The Bee Detectives” with our children 3-5 years old. The experience allowed them to learn so much more about Bees. We have had our native Bees for several years and had beekeepers out before. Your book took an in-depth look into classification, different ways they live, how they collect pollen and make honey.  It created lots of meaningful conversation with the children; your interactive book reading allowed them to share these ideas with each other. The extended activity afterwards of the magnifiers provided by Vanessa was a great extension to the book. The children were so excited to be their very own Bee detectives and really extended their learning.

Author Visit: Jack and Jill Kindergarten Berowra

Thanks so much Vanessa for coming out and sharing your book “The Bee Detectives” with our children 3-5 years old. The experience allowed them to learn so much more about Bees. We have had our native Bees for several years and had beekeepers out before. Your book took an in-depth look into classification, different ways they live, how they collect pollen and make honey.  It created lots of meaningful conversation with the children; your interactive book reading allowed them to share these ideas with each other. The extended activity afterwards of the magnifiers provided by Vanessa was a great extension to the book. The children were so excited to be their very own Bee detectives and really extended their learning. 

Teacher notes written by Vanessa
2021-04-21T02:54:08+00:00

Thanks so much Vanessa for coming out and sharing your book “The Bee Detectives” with our children 3-5 years old. The experience allowed them to learn so much more about Bees. We have had our native Bees for several years and had beekeepers out before. Your book took an in-depth look into classification, different ways they live, how they collect pollen and make honey.  It created lots of meaningful conversation with the children; your interactive book reading allowed them to share these ideas with each other. The extended activity afterwards of the magnifiers provided by Vanessa was a great extension to the book. The children were so excited to be their very own Bee detectives and really extended their learning. 


Georgie Donaghey

I was impressed with Vanessa’s professionalism in preparing the teacher notes for my picture book, In the Shadow of an Elephant. Her depth of knowledge on the multitude of topics covered was just incredible! She has compiled a 15-page document that will allow Educators and students an opportunity to explore conversations and discover different layers within the book.

Georgie Donaghey

Teacher notes written by Vanessa
2020-08-01T07:42:45+00:00

I was impressed with Vanessa’s professionalism in preparing the teacher notes for my picture book, In the Shadow of an Elephant. Her depth of knowledge on the multitude of topics covered was just incredible! She has compiled a 15-page document that will allow Educators and students an opportunity to explore conversations and discover different layers within the book. Georgie Donaghey