Rusty Loses His Loop
Josie & Matthew Wright-Simon
Illustrated by Robin Green
River Murray Urban Users Local Action Planning Committee, 2006

Price is $18.95.
Proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to the MurrayCare Foundation.

Book Review by Judyth Roberts.

This is a wonderful picture story-book for young children about the impact humans are having on the River Murray and the Coorong as told through the migratory bird Rusty, the red-necked stint.

Each year Rusty flies from Siberia to the Coorong. He relies on food sources which have become scarce through salination.

The Coorong has become too salty; plants are getting sick and the birds are getting hungry. Each year the situation is getting worse. More fresh water is needed for the Coorong to become healthy.

The book invites readers to become part of the solution. By saving water we may also save the Murray River system and Rusty. Rusty's plight will help children draw a link between how they use water and the effect this has on the environment.

The book has been published by the River Murray Urban Users Committee, a local community group which works to raise awareness in schools and the wider community of the River Murray.

Locally written and designed, the book also draws on the culture of the Ngarrindjeri people of the Coorong area.

 Educational booklet (1.05 MB)