Dropbear

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.
—Kirkus Reviews

Dropbear is a myth–or is he? Addressing the reader directly, the narrator warns to “Beware …” as the mean, rude, stinky bear is known to drop from the trees and sup upon the unexpecting. Sure, as Bunting draws him, the mythical Dropbear might just look like a somewhat grouchy koala. But all of the animals know the risks and tell the tales–all, that is, except for the birdie. She wants to know the truth. So, she bravely lands upon the Dropbear warning sign and waits. Yes, Dropbear does drop from the tree. As a cloud of stirred up dust obscures the scene on the following page, readers will be left to wonder what happened? Tension builds, and then another turn of the page shows a hug. Yes, the Dropbear of oft-swapped horror stories isn’t the evil, fanged koala relative that so many Australians purport to believe. He is a loveable, cuddly old bear. With colorful illustrations made from gouache, digital collage, and a bit of duct tape, and text built on fairy tales and fears, Bunting delivers a fun, zany tale that will have young readers gasping with suspense and giggling at the humor.
—Children’s Literature