Pannikin and Pinta was written by Colin Thiele and illustrated by Peter Gouldthorpe,

Pannikin and Pinta are part of a pelican family. The mother’s name is Pinta. The father’s name is Portly and the baby pelican’s name are Pannikin, Preen, and Plume. They all lived at lake Eyre.  

Lake Eyre dries up every year or so. So all of the bird life has to leave Lake Eyre and head for the coastline where there is a lot of food and water. The birds will not return to Lake Eyre until the heavy rains start in the North of Australia, and even then the water from these heavy rains will take months and months to flow through the Channel Country in to Lake Eyre. 

When this happens all the bird life returns from the coast to feed and breed. Unfortunately when the pelican family were still there at the lake it started to dry up. The five pelicans finally leave Lake Eyre. A storm blows the pelicans off course and they take the long way to the coast. The pelicans have some lucky rest spots and some not so lucky rest spots!

Colin Thieve probably wrote this book because of his love of the bird life in Australia and to pass on his knowledge of the movements of the bird life.

I gave this book an 8 out of 10 because of the great illustrations and because the author described in a different way how the birds live at Lake Eyre.

The cost was $ 22.45 and was published by Lothian books.

by Nicole of Wamuran  

'Pannikin and Pinta' - a review by Jamie

Written by Colin Thiele

Illustrated by Peter Gouldthorpe.

One day a monsoon from the north and a cyclone from the east collided over the plains of Queensland.  The clouds were darker than bruises.  They bulged with rain.  This is where the story of  Pannikin and Pinta begins.

Colin Thiele has written another magnificent picture book, “Pannikin and Pinta”.  Colin Thiele, author of many other books such as Storm Boy, The Sun and the Stubble and Blue Fin has won numerous Australian and International awards.  Many of his books have been made into classic films, TV series, and plays.

In Pannikin and Pinta, two pelicans struggle to fly towards the South Australian coast after being forced to leave their Lake Eyre home.  The book follows their journey.

Peter Gouldthorpe has produced absolutely wonderful illustrations.  The characters have been illustrated beautifully.  Peter Gouldthorpe was born in Melbourne and grew up in Sydney, where he studied art at East Sydney Technical College in 1971-72.  He has illustrated several books including Jonah and the Manly Ferry, which he also wrote, Sheep Dogs, Grandad’s Gifts, and Hist!

I would recommend Pannikin and Pinta for ages from 9-12 and anyone interested in animals or the environment.

Reviewed by Jamie of Moreton Downs