LABOUR OF LOVE: Ann-Maree Thompson and her mum Jan with the Bizi the Musk Duck of Barren Box Swamp book they created together.
A LOCAL mother-daughter duo is hoping their new book about a little duck on a big mission strikes a chord with kids everywhere.
Primary school teacher Ann-Maree Thompson has taken inspiration from the re-development of Barren Box Storage and Wetland to write the children’s book Bizi the Musk Duck of Barren Box Swamp.
Her mum Jan Thompson has lent her talents as an artist to the project, beautifully illustrating what they call a shared labour of love.
Ms Thompson said the book tells the story of how the swamp was improved to provide benefits for both local irrigators and the environment.
“I was teaching a Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) unit on wet and dry environments at school and thought that Barren Box Swamp would be a great resource to learn about,” Ms Thompson said.
“My dad Dick was the instigator of the redevelopment and he was taking me for a drive around Barren Box Swamp one day and mentioned the musk ducks. I thought it was an intriguing name and that it would make a great character for a children’s book.
“The main character, Bizi, is very upset when his friends tell him they all have to leave their home at Barren Box because the swamp is dying.
“He decides to stay behind. He watches as the digging machines move in and begin to rip up the area – only to realise they are actually working to improve the swamp.”
Ms Thompson said the heart-warming story aims to educate children about the environmental improvements at Barren Box and fauna found there.
The pair also wanted to create a local resource which could be used for both literacy and HSIE in the NSW curriculum.
Bizi the Musk Duck of Barren Box Swamp was released last week to coincide with National Water Week, which runs from October 21 to 27.
Ten per cent of the book’s proceeds will be donated to Wetland Care Australia, a not-for-profit organisation which aims to protect and restore Australian wetlands.
- The book is available from Collins Booksellers Griffith in the Griffin Plaza, or by emailing bizithemuskduck@gmail.com.
