{"id":8955937587437,"title":"Dropbear","handle":"dropbear","description":"\u003ch6\u003eComing September 9, 2025. Pre-order today!\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/philip-bunting\"\u003ePhilip Bunting\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eUp there! Gray hair! Grim stare! Beware . . . Dropbear!\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHold your breath and count to three as woodland creatures share spooky stories about Dropbear, the rumored meanie who lives way up in an old gum tree. But when one little birdie decides to investigate the truth, it turns out that maybe Dropbear just wants . . . something special.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis humorous and heartfelt rhyming romp through the outback teaches preschoolers and their grown-ups that things aren't always as they seem, and that all creatures deserve the benefit of the doubt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these: \u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/wombat\"\u003eWombat\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n[TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" alt=\"Dropbear sample spread\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/dropbear-spread.jpg?v=1740775992\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"medium-cover\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Dropbear cover\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/dropbear-cover.jpg?v=1740775990\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/dropbear-cover-hires.jpg.zip?v=1740775996\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePhilip Bunting, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhilip Bunting is an author and illustrator with a soft spot for creating picture books for sleep-deprived, time-poor, raisin-encrusted parents (and their children). He has written and illustrated many books for children, including \u003cem\u003eWombat, How Did I Get Here?: Your Story from the Big Bang to Your Birthday, \u003c\/em\u003eand\u003cem\u003e The World's Most Pointless Animals\u003c\/em\u003e. Philip’s work deliberately encourages playful interaction, creating a platform for genuine engagement and fun. Philip’s books have been translated into multiple languages and published in over 30 countries around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/philip-bunting\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Philip\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDon’t let gossips get the drop on you!\u003cbr\u003e\nIn a dark forest, an unseen narrator draws readers’ attention to an old gum tree that looms creepily among the clouds. A sign below echoes the narrator’s warning: “Beware! Dropbear!” And just what is a dropbear? “They say…Dropbear is mean. Dropbear is rude. Dropbear smells like stinky old food. It lingers up high…then drops from its tree. Its favorite dish? That’s you…and me!” But who is that unspecified “they”? A “little birdie” with a healthy sense of skepticism is eager to get to the bottom of things and discovers that the dropbear is just a koala in need of a good hug; those rumors were the result of ignorance and fear of the unknown, as well as a way to battle boredom. Bunting slyly infuses his text with both clever wordplay and a message about not believing gossip; educators and caregivers will find the tale a useful tool for dispelling misconceptions. The author\/illustrator’s signature mixed-media images are adorable, depicting solemn, saucer-eyed Australian creatures. With teeny-tiny fangs, the dropbear cuts a cute figure from the outset, lightening the ominous mood set by the swirling clouds and shadowy night. Bunting concludes with an author’s note about the dropbear, a mythical Australian creature said to tumble out of trees onto unsuspecting passersby.\u003cbr\u003e \nAn endearing lesson in information literacy. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-726-4\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 2–5\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 40\u003cbr\u003e8\u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\/\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e x 11\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePublication date: September 9, 2025\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]","published_at":"2025-05-27T10:31:35-04:00","created_at":"2025-03-17T16:34:12-04:00","vendor":"Charlesbridge","type":"Children's Book","tags":["Browse by Age_Ages 3-6","Browse by Fiction\/Nonfiction_Fiction","Browse by Format_Picture Book","Browse by Language_English","Browse by Subject_Animals \u0026 Dinosaurs","Browse by Subject_Story Time \u0026 Play"],"price":1799,"price_min":1799,"price_max":1799,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":47861636694253,"title":"Hardcover","option1":"Hardcover","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"47264","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":43017923985645,"product_id":8955937587437,"position":1,"created_at":"2025-02-28T15:53:08-05:00","updated_at":"2025-02-28T15:53:10-05:00","alt":null,"width":600,"height":696,"src":"\/\/steamworksbooks.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/dropbear-cover.jpg?v=1740775990","variant_ids":[47861636694253]},"available":true,"name":"Dropbear - Hardcover","public_title":"Hardcover","options":["Hardcover"],"price":1799,"weight":567,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":10,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"9781623547264","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":35223932698861,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.862,"height":696,"width":600,"src":"\/\/steamworksbooks.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/dropbear-cover.jpg?v=1740775990"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/steamworksbooks.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/dropbear-cover.jpg?v=1740775990"],"featured_image":"\/\/steamworksbooks.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/dropbear-cover.jpg?v=1740775990","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":35223932698861,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.862,"height":696,"width":600,"src":"\/\/steamworksbooks.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/dropbear-cover.jpg?v=1740775990"},"aspect_ratio":0.862,"height":696,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/steamworksbooks.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/dropbear-cover.jpg?v=1740775990","width":600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003ch6\u003eComing September 9, 2025. Pre-order today!\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/philip-bunting\"\u003ePhilip Bunting\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eUp there! Gray hair! Grim stare! Beware . . . Dropbear!\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHold your breath and count to three as woodland creatures share spooky stories about Dropbear, the rumored meanie who lives way up in an old gum tree. But when one little birdie decides to investigate the truth, it turns out that maybe Dropbear just wants . . . something special.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis humorous and heartfelt rhyming romp through the outback teaches preschoolers and their grown-ups that things aren't always as they seem, and that all creatures deserve the benefit of the doubt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these: \u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/wombat\"\u003eWombat\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n[TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" alt=\"Dropbear sample spread\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/dropbear-spread.jpg?v=1740775992\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"medium-cover\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Dropbear cover\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/dropbear-cover.jpg?v=1740775990\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/dropbear-cover-hires.jpg.zip?v=1740775996\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePhilip Bunting, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhilip Bunting is an author and illustrator with a soft spot for creating picture books for sleep-deprived, time-poor, raisin-encrusted parents (and their children). He has written and illustrated many books for children, including \u003cem\u003eWombat, How Did I Get Here?: Your Story from the Big Bang to Your Birthday, \u003c\/em\u003eand\u003cem\u003e The World's Most Pointless Animals\u003c\/em\u003e. Philip’s work deliberately encourages playful interaction, creating a platform for genuine engagement and fun. Philip’s books have been translated into multiple languages and published in over 30 countries around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/philip-bunting\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Philip\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDon’t let gossips get the drop on you!\u003cbr\u003e\nIn a dark forest, an unseen narrator draws readers’ attention to an old gum tree that looms creepily among the clouds. A sign below echoes the narrator’s warning: “Beware! Dropbear!” And just what is a dropbear? “They say…Dropbear is mean. Dropbear is rude. Dropbear smells like stinky old food. It lingers up high…then drops from its tree. Its favorite dish? That’s you…and me!” But who is that unspecified “they”? A “little birdie” with a healthy sense of skepticism is eager to get to the bottom of things and discovers that the dropbear is just a koala in need of a good hug; those rumors were the result of ignorance and fear of the unknown, as well as a way to battle boredom. Bunting slyly infuses his text with both clever wordplay and a message about not believing gossip; educators and caregivers will find the tale a useful tool for dispelling misconceptions. The author\/illustrator’s signature mixed-media images are adorable, depicting solemn, saucer-eyed Australian creatures. With teeny-tiny fangs, the dropbear cuts a cute figure from the outset, lightening the ominous mood set by the swirling clouds and shadowy night. Bunting concludes with an author’s note about the dropbear, a mythical Australian creature said to tumble out of trees onto unsuspecting passersby.\u003cbr\u003e \nAn endearing lesson in information literacy. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-726-4\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 2–5\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 40\u003cbr\u003e8\u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\/\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e x 11\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePublication date: September 9, 2025\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]"}
Coming September 9, 2025. Pre-order today!

By: Philip Bunting

Up there! Gray hair! Grim stare! Beware . . . Dropbear!

Hold your breath and count to three as woodland creatures share spooky stories about Dropbear, the rumored meanie who lives way up in an old gum tree. But when one little birdie decides to investigate the truth, it turns out that maybe Dropbear just wants . . . something special.

This humorous and heartfelt rhyming romp through the outback teaches preschoolers and their grown-ups that things aren't always as they seem, and that all creatures deserve the benefit of the doubt.

Maximum quantity available reached.

Dropbear sample spread

Philip Bunting, author

Philip Bunting is an author and illustrator with a soft spot for creating picture books for sleep-deprived, time-poor, raisin-encrusted parents (and their children). He has written and illustrated many books for children, including Wombat, How Did I Get Here?: Your Story from the Big Bang to Your Birthday, and The World's Most Pointless Animals. Philip’s work deliberately encourages playful interaction, creating a platform for genuine engagement and fun. Philip’s books have been translated into multiple languages and published in over 30 countries around the world.

Read more about Philip

  • Coming soon!

Kirkus Reviews

Don’t let gossips get the drop on you!
In a dark forest, an unseen narrator draws readers’ attention to an old gum tree that looms creepily among the clouds. A sign below echoes the narrator’s warning: “Beware! Dropbear!” And just what is a dropbear? “They say…Dropbear is mean. Dropbear is rude. Dropbear smells like stinky old food. It lingers up high…then drops from its tree. Its favorite dish? That’s you…and me!” But who is that unspecified “they”? A “little birdie” with a healthy sense of skepticism is eager to get to the bottom of things and discovers that the dropbear is just a koala in need of a good hug; those rumors were the result of ignorance and fear of the unknown, as well as a way to battle boredom. Bunting slyly infuses his text with both clever wordplay and a message about not believing gossip; educators and caregivers will find the tale a useful tool for dispelling misconceptions. The author/illustrator’s signature mixed-media images are adorable, depicting solemn, saucer-eyed Australian creatures. With teeny-tiny fangs, the dropbear cuts a cute figure from the outset, lightening the ominous mood set by the swirling clouds and shadowy night. Bunting concludes with an author’s note about the dropbear, a mythical Australian creature said to tumble out of trees onto unsuspecting passersby.
An endearing lesson in information literacy.

Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-62354-726-4

Ages: 2–5
Page count: 40
81/2 x 11

Publication date: September 9, 2025