Wattle (the Rhino) at Large

Deborah Wild Illustrated by Felipe Lancha

A rhino longs to return to Taronga Zoo, and she has just the plan!

Dreaming of seeing her friends at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo once more, Wattle the rhino plans a daring escape from the quiet, lonely nights at Western Plains Zoo. With help from her faithful friend, Bruce the magpie, she discovers an ingenious way to break out — and avoid the posse of zookeepers searching for her. Will the pair make it to the bright lights of Sydney? And will it feel like “home”? A humorous and fun adventure that highlights Australia’s role in helping save these wonderful animals from extinction. With delightful, engaging artwork that captures the excitement of this story.

A humorous story that will inspire readers to learn more about the world's endangered rhinos, and the important role that Australia plays in saving this lovable species from extinction.
A funny and exciting adventure that will thrill children, while the informative back matter will delight with some fun facts!
Bold, expressive illustrations that capture the humour and excitement of this story.

Deborah Wild was raised on the North Shore of Sydney in a house full of pets and generations. At university, Deb attempted everything from astronomy to zoology, before focusing on children’s literature. Having raised three children of her own, Deb now lives in the hills of Canberra. When not at her desk, Deb loves spending time outdoors. She’s passionate about wildlife conservation and dreams of a world where animals are free from threat and harm.

Felipe Lancha is from São Paulo, Brazil. He has always been passionate about the arts and found that his path in life flowed naturally into children’s illustration. Using exclusively traditional methods, Felipe’s work is inspired by music, cinema, literature, family, video games, coffee, and much more.

ISBN ：978-1-76036-277-5

Release Date ：July 2025