Lancelot

The One-Armed Kangaroo

By: Adrian Plitzco

Narrated by: David Tredinnick, Anne Phelan, Matthew Whittet, Samantha Kenny, Alex Menglet

Lancelot, an orphaned kangaroo adopted by a farmer and his wife, is the constant figure across these stories. He is also disabled, after losing one of his arms in an accident. His quest is to discover his kangarooness and find love and acceptance among his fellow creatures.Lancelot is a little Joey whose mother has died. He is adopted by Bill and Emmy, the farmer and his wife, and he doesn’t even know that he is a kangaroo. What he does know is that Meryl Sheep is a friendly sheep and that he’s able, unlike Meryl, to hop over the neighbor’s fence to get Meryl some fresh green grass. The neighbor isn’t a nice human like Bill and Emmy though, and when he complains, shotgun in hand, about kangaroos to Bill and Emmy, Lancelot finds out that he’s a kangaroo too, and an adopted one at that. His journey as he finds out what it means to be a kangaroo, and indeed, what it means to be a decent animal, no matter what your species, forms the plot that drives the narrative along. A funny, exciting but also heartwarming tale about loneliness, courage and most of all true friendship. Based on true events!

A very Australian audio book complete with sounds of the bush and big Australian accents (but easily understandable). Sections of the story are punctuated leisurely by cheery music. For children ages 4 through 11.

©2008 Adrian Plitzco (P)2008 Adrian Plitzco

Critic reviews

“Beautifully-told story.” ( Celapene Press)

“This is the thing for you.” (Children’s Book Council of Australia)

“Well-crafted and full of suspense and drama.” ( Compulsive Reader)