The Very Lonely Cassowary

Catherine Lee Illustrated by Maia Batumashvili

A lone cassowary journeys north to be with others of her kind and learns that being different can be a strength.

Connie is a cassowary living on Australia’s Gold Coast. Unable to fly, she feels different to the birds around her. But when Connie discovers that cassowaries can be found living in the tropical far north of Queensland, she embarks on a determined journey to meet her kin, making friends and enjoying new experiences along the way. The Very Lonely Cassowary is a touching story that encourages readers to celebrate their individuality and the qualities that make us special. The story also features striking artwork that complements the themes, characters, and setting.

Children and parents will enjoy sharing this uplifting tale which explores themes of self-belief and celebrating uniqueness.
A touching story that introduces readers to the diverse animals and environments found in Australia.
Visually rich artwork that will delight readers with its depiction of the characters and settings.

Catherine Lee lives in Australia with her husband and two little girls. She stumbled into children’s writing after many hours of imaginary play with her eldest daughter. With a Masters in Business and a degree and career in communications, Catherine has always had a passion for writing. When she’s not playing or reading with her girls, she loves to explore the great outdoors and go on adventures to far-flung places.

Maia Batumashvili was born in Tiblisi, Georgia, in 1978. From a young age, Maia has loved to draw and is inspired by the children’s books and cartoons she grew up with. After graduating from two art institutes, Maia worked on an animation project before finally realising her dream of illustrating children’s books. When Maia is not creating imaginative worlds, she enjoys spending time with her three beautiful children and her dog, Tayo.

ISBN ：978-1-76036-249-2

Release Date ：March 2025