The Thylacine and the Time Machine (Renée Treml, A&U Children’s)

In The Thylacine and the Time Machine, 12-year-old Violet is completing a project on the de-extinction of the Tasmanian Tiger. Working late into the night, Violet falls asleep at her desk, only to be woken by the ghost of a thylacine. Naming her Thyla, Violet soon discovers she is the ghost of the last known living thylacine in Australia. Together, they embark on a journey through the past, present and potential future of one of Australia’s most iconic marsupials. As Violet learns about the quest to bring the thylacine back to life, she also discovers the importance of conservation, ethical boundaries and how to identify fake news. The Thylacine and the Time Machine blends humour and fascinating facts in an engaging graphic novel format. Renée Treml’s background in biology and environmental science is evident in the high level of research in the book. While Violet is a humorous character who provides an accessible avenue into the science of de-extinction, Treml (Let’s Go, Little Roo, Sherlock Bones and the Natural History Mystery) does not shy away from introducing young readers to complex scientific ideas and concepts. She encourages the reader to think about the ethics of science (would bringing back dinosaurs be a good idea?) and to think critically about information. The simplicity of Treml’s charming tri-tone illustrations makes this book accessible to younger readers while also introducing them to non-fiction elements such as maps, infographics and the sorting of information. Readers aged 7–10 will find this book fascinating.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Erin Wamala is a teacher librarian and owner of The Kids' Bookshop. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

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