A tale of incredible courage and survival, this is the true story of Kimmi, Queen of the Dingoes, told with passion and heart by one of Australia’s most beloved storytellers and dingo advocates.
On the night of a full moon, a small tropical dingo cub is born. And it is her destiny to travel far from home to change things for her kind.
Kimmi sleeps with her mama at her back, her aunty at her front and her three brothers squeezed in beside her. They are a family. But when the farmer who took her father returns to threaten the rest of them, Kimmi is separated from her mama.
In an incredible act of determination, Kimmi’s mama runs over mountain tops and dusty red earth to spend one last day with her cub and share with her the knowledge that will one day make her a queen.
This is Kimmi’s story, the story of how she became Queen of the Dingoes in a sanctuary that saves them from extinction. It is her mama’s story, too. But mostly it is a story that goes back thousands of years, and follows the long line of female dingoes they belong to.
Kimmi: Queen of the Dingoes is an inspiring true story of survival and courage from one of Australia’s best-loved writers.
Favel Parrett launched her career with the critically acclaimed debut Past the Shallows, which won the ABIA Newcomer of the Year Award in 2012 and has since gone on to be a HSC English prescribed text. Wandi, Parrett’s first book for children, brought to life the true story of one of Australia’s endangered dingoes – and captured readers’ hearts across the country, including many BR Kids readers.
Kimmi: Queen of the Dingoes is a new standalone story for kids, and is the perfect companion to Wandi. While Wandi told the story of an alpine dingo, this time Parrett brings us the remarkable story of a tropical dingo, taking readers on an emotional journey that will change how you think about these incredible animals forever.
Kimmi: Queen of the Dingoes takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions – you are likely to shed a tear or two as you experience the species’ losses through Kimmi’s eyes. But ultimately, the book is a call to action, leaving readers hopeful for this amazing species, which could thrive well into the future with enough of a helping hand from people who care.
Like Wandi, Kimmi is a real-life dingo who lives at the Dingo Discovery Sanctuary and Research Centre in Victoria – and yes, you can visit her! There’s an informative Q&A with the sanctuary supervisor at the end of the story that curious readers will love, with information about tropical dingoes like Kimmi and alpine dingoes like Wandi, and how you can get involved in the fight to save them from extinction.
Sweet illustrations from award-winning book designer Astred Hicks make the story even more engaging, and ensures this is an accessible read for younger and more easily distracted readers too.
Kimmi: Queen of the Dingoes goes far beyond simply anthropomorphising its dingo characters to make them relatable for kids. Parrett’s writing encourages deep empathy for these non-human animals and imparts an appreciation of what makes them so uniquely special. This is a must-read for children aged 8+ and budding nature lovers.
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