The song of the regent honeyeater has been heard in the bush for many generations – but could it soon be lost forever?
Regent’s father had learnt the song from his father, who learnt it from his father too. But with Regent’s species now facing extinction, there is no one around to teach him. Regent tries to mimic the sounds of different birds but without success.
Will Regent learn his mating call before it’s too late? Or will his ancient song be forgotten forever?
Coral Vass is an award-winning children’s author. She has always loved telling stories and is passionate about giving all children an equal opportunity to read. Jess Racklyeft is an author and illustrator based in Melbourne. Together, they’ve created The Forgotten Song: Saving the Regent Honeyeater, a moving story of a Regent Honeyeater who must learn his song again.
The honeyeaters pass down a song over many generations, but as trees turned into towers and billabongs into buildings, many birds flew away and never returned. Their absence has left Regent, our protagonist honeyeater, unaware of the generational song that will help him mate and make a nest. And so, Regent skims across billabongs and banks, frantically searching the forest to learn this forgotten song.
This story reminded me exactly why I love picture books: they have the ability to move, educate and inspire through visual cues and minimal, yet impactful text. Saving the Regent Honeyeater will be a picture book I’ll recommend and refer to for a long time. It is incredibly special.
The very talented Jess Racklyeft particularly loves illustrating plants and animals, sharing her love of the Australian bush through her art. Each page is visually powerful, from watercolour honeyeaters and the natural landscapes they inhabit, to a smog-filled city.
Racklyeft’s illustrations are complemented by Vass’ poignant prose, where children will learn about both honeyeaters and other bird species’ songs, the impact of deforestation and how humans can help save and preserve our flora and fauna.
At the end of the picture book are facts about the regent honeyeater (did you know they’re 20-24cm long with a wingspan of 30cm?), a timeline showing their population numbers over the last 60,000 years, a glossary and an artist’s note.
Educational, vividly stunning and ultimately fun, Saving the Regent Honeyeater will make a fantastic addition to school classrooms and libraries, but also an enjoyable bedtime read. Reading levels vary from child to child, but we recommend this book for ages 5 to 9.
Buy a copy of The Forgotten Song: Saving the Regent Honeyeater here.
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