From the publishers of SNUGGLEPOT AND CUDDLEPIE, BLINKY BILL, THE MAGIC PUDDING and THE MUDDLEHEADED WOMBAT comes the classic Australian tale of DOT AND THE KANGAROO. Lost and afraid in the darkening bush, Dot is befriended by a kind Kangaroo. She eats the berries of understanding and is then able to communicate with all the bush creatures, who eventually guide her home. the captivating tale of DOt AND tHE KANGAROO is told by Ethel Pedley with the magic that has made this book an Australian favourite since it was first published in 1899.'Dot and the Kangaroo is without doubt one of the most charming books that could be put in the hands of a child. It is admirably illustrated by Frank P. Mahony, who seems to have entered thoroughly into the spirit of this beautiful journey into the world of Australia. the story is altogether Australian.' SYDNEY MORNING HERALD 1899Now, as then, children will be enthralled by this oldest of Australian classics, and it will endure to entertain generations to come.

1899年の刊行以来、本作がオーストラリアの魂として愛され続ける理由は、単なる空想の冒険に留まらない「自然への畏敬」が根底にあるからです。不思議な木の実を介して少女が野生の声を聴くという設定は、人間中心主義への痛烈な風刺でもあります。エセル・ペドリーは、ブッシュの静寂や生命の鼓動を瑞々しい筆致で描き、読者を異界への深遠な対話へと誘います。 映像化作品がアニメと実写の融合で視覚的な驚きをもたらした一方、原作テキストには言葉でしか到達できない内省的な深みが宿っています。挿絵の精神を受け継ぐ静謐な文体は、映像が描き出す躍動感とは異なる、大地との精神的な同化を私たちに体験させてくれます。両メディアを行き来することで、失われゆく野生への切実な愛が、より多層的な感動となって胸に迫るはずです。