True Stories of Animal Heroes: Fluffles

Lovely little book which was also heartbreaking as it's based on what really happened during the Australian Bushfires of 2020.
Tells the story of a Koala called Fluffles, and how a storm caused a bushfire which destoyed her home, and explains how she was injured and rescued, and then released back into the wild to be with other koalas.

Fluffles is the incredibly bittersweet story of a koala caught up in the Australian wildfires of 2020. It explains that Fluffles, like his fellow koalas, found a spot to stay high in the trees and, when the fire passed, how they burned their paws climbing down the hot tree trunks. The lucky koalas like Fluffles were rescued and given other koalas to hug until they were released back into the wild. My children were engrossed in this story even though they thought it was a bit sad in parts. Reading this story, and explaining that this was based on a true story, sparked a big conversation with my 6 year old boy about wildfires, their impact on the environment and animals and where in the world is susceptible to wildfires and why. This is a gorgeous, thought-provoking story with beautiful illustrations that was perfect for my 6 year old and 4 year old.

Review to come to blog/Goodreads on February 2021.

I received this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange of an honest review.

I just adore koalas and this book also sounded very interesting. Never heard of Fluffles so I was eager to read what happened to her.

Meet Fluflles, a very cute (soooo cute) koala who lives in a lovely forest in Australia. But one day her peaceful life disappears and I was just hoping everything would be fine. Yes, I knew it would be fine, but still seeing something like what happens in the book just made me forget the blurb/book was about. I was just rooting for Fluffles. To be safe. Oh, and I wasn't just rooting for this cutie but also for her friends around her.

I am so happy that there were people who, soon after the fire, went to help out the animals in the forest and gave them a safe place until things were safer for them. That is just wonderful.

The ending made me feel all fluffy and happy inside. Aww, that is so cute!

I liked that we got some extra information on koalas/Fluffles in the end.

The art, OMG that was just the cutest and fluffiest. It was as if I could pet those cute koalas.

I would recommend this fun and sweet book to all curious about Fluffles and who love koalas!

Part of a new series of books based on heroic animals entitled ‘True Stories of Animal Heroes’ and is published by the brilliant Frances Lincoln Children’s.

Fluffles lived amongst the eucalyptus leaves in South-Eastern Australia. She would spend the days playing with her fluffy friends, munching on the tasty leaves and sleeping in the lofty branches. One terrible day everything changed when her home was engulfed by searing heat and fierce flames. With danger all around, Fluffles sought refuge at the top of a tree and trusted that everything would ok…

This is such a sweet story based on the real bushfires that occurred in Australia in 2020. Fluffles was one of a number of koalas whose life was endangered by the devastating fires that tore through many parts of Australia. Escaping from the fire by climbing to the tops of the trees, many koalas, including Fluffles, injured themselves when they climbed down as they burnt their paws on the smouldering bark. These injured koalas were rescued by firefighters and passed into the care of wildlife experts who nursed the injured paws and nurtured the creatures back to health before returning them to the wild.

The story is fairly short and what really elevates this book are the illustrations. The koalas are absolutely adorable, although you are never sure which one Fluffles is when multiple koalas make an appearance. The soft and gentle images will have the reader wanting to reach out and carefully stroke each koala.

A lovely book to use with young children to explore ideas of bravery, overcoming adversity, the importance of looking after nature and conservation. Two extra pages at the back of the book feature a short factual explanation about koalas and the fires, and include photographs.

Recommended for 4+.

My daughter loves koalas, so when I saw that the first book in the True Stories of Animal Heroes series was following Fluffles survival during the Australian bushfires, I knew I had to pick it up. Unfortunately the images of the sad koalas upset her a bit too much so I ended up finishing this book by myself, so be warned that it might take you a couple of sittings to read this with your little one if they are quite in touch with their emotions!
Most of the animal picture books which we have read together have been unfailingly happy, so I admire Vita Murrow and the team behind True Stories of Animal Heroes for deciding to write an informative animal story for children which shows the reality of life for these furry creatures.
There's even a fact page at the back of the book telling the true story of Fluffles and their friends who were also saved from the 2020 bushfires, so after the story is over parents will be able to give their children more context about what happened to Fluffles home and why.
I adore the muted colour palette used in the illustrations, and thought that they were some of the most beautiful images I'd ever seen in a children's picture book (and I've read quite a lot throughout the years!). This book will be perfect for children who get easily over-stimulated, as it's not as bright and in your face as a lot of picture books seem to be.
The True Stories of Animal Heroes series is definitely one I will be revisiting in the future, and I'm looking forward to seeing which Animal Heroes they focus on next.

A fabulous little story that encourages children to champion their hero. It was lovely. Both myself and my children really enjoyed it. We love all kinds of animals so this was a firm favourite. It was a lovely story and I can’t wait to read it to my class when we return to school.

Hug...anyone?

The sweet story of Fluffles the Koala is definitely a little emotional roller coaster! I've always thought koalas were extremely huggable, but Fluffles deserves the biggest hug ever!

Fluffles lost her home in the bushfires, but she survived. This is a story of bravery and survival, comfort and family. After burning her little paws from climbing down a hot tree, she was nurtured by a loving fireman, one of many who were there to help the poor animals in need. But Fluffles needed her family and friends, and only when she found the comforting fluffy paws of her own kind was she truly happy and at peace.

I love that this story shows us the bond that the koalas have with each other and with the forest as well, and how they feel the best in their natural environment. It's also incredible to see the kind of relationship and bond we as humans should have with animals! But most of all, if we dive deep below the surface, we will see that this story just represents life in general.

When the going gets tough, persevere. Fight, be brave. Even if you don't want to. And in the end, you will find comfort.

A wonderful start to what is going to be, I am sure, an amazing new series of books. This pubsliher never fails to create books which are relevant, push boundaries, tell stories that need to be told and that are perfectly pitched to their audience. This book does all of these and more. The story here about Fluffles, based on the real events of the Australian bush fires is told with heartwarming sensitivity and brought to life with the most beautiful illustrations. You feel you can almost reach out and touch Fluffles. It is a sad story at times, of course, but is told with a real awareness of the intended audience. It has the power to promote discussion in young children about animals and their environments and what we can do to help keep them safe. I think the message that the koalas build the forest one hug at a time is a life affirming one and as we are all missing hugs so much at the moment I think we are even more aware of the power of touch. The illustrations, which I feel are worthy of an award , really draw in the reader and I am sure this book and the whole series will be become key players in school bookshelves around the world to engage, inspire and promote discussion and learning.

With huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers.

This is a great children's book about a koala called Fluffles who got caught in the bush fires of Australia and was rescued until she was healed and ready to go back in the wild. The book is based on a true story and my daughter and I loved it. She was busy drawing pictures of Fluffles and her friends while I was reading the story to her. I look forward to reading more of these true stories about animal heroes.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is an absolutely delightful children's book about a very important and difficult topic - the Australian Forest Fires. It tells the the story of the forest fires from the viewpoint of Fluffles a koala bear. It delicately deals with the devastating effects of forest fires with beautiful illustrations.