Jimmy the Joey: The True Story of an Amazing Koala Rescue

In a hopeful story about animal rehabilitation in Australia, an orphaned koala joey is rescued and taken to the Koala Hospital. Author Rose and journalist/filmmaker Kelly chronicle Jimmy’s time at the center, where he is fed special formula, sleeps “in a laundry basket filled with soft blankets,” and is weighed and measured each week. Photographs (bordered by aboriginal patterns) keep Jimmy front and center as he clutches a volunteer’s leg, munches on eucalyptus leaves (they make him “smell like mint candy”) and slowly grows accustomed to the hospital trees, where he climbs with other koala residents. An endnote from Kelly describes her research into koalas, the threats facing their populations, and the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, where Jimmy and koalas like him have received care. Ages 4–8. (July)