Little Tasmanian

About the Book

Using a message of ‘someone like you did it, and you can do it too’, Little Tasmanian encourages aspiration, confidence, and pride in children and their trusted adults from the very beginning.
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Someone like you did it, and you can do it too

The Tasmanian story is about people across the state using grit, determination, and creativity to achieve something meaningful. Little Tasmanian tells the story of four people who overcame challenges and adversity to pursue their passions in this special place.

It’s about the opportunity for all little Tasmanians to do it too, with the support of their parents and their community, and to begin their reading journey as early as possible.

Book Two: Katy’s Garden

Little Tasmanian: Katy’s Garden is the second publication in the Little Tasmanian series. Join Katy and an array of Tasmanian animals on a journey to create a garden to share with all their friends. Along the way, she meets four inspiring Tasmanians who help her achieve her dream: John Kamara (refugee and migrant advocate), Mars Buttfield-Addison (computer scientist and science communicator), David Foster (world champion woodchopper and community advocate), and Carleeta Thomas (proud pakana / Tasmanian Aboriginal woman, wukalina Walk guide).

Meet the Characters: Book Two
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John Kamara

John Kamara arrived in Tasmania as a refugee. Now, he works to highlight systemic challenges migrants face, such as racism, labour exploitation, and the need for recognition of overseas qualifications. For John and his family, Tasmania is home, and his goal is to create community and a better, fairer life for all.
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Mars Buttfield-Addison

Mars Buttfield-Addison is a computer scientist and science communicator. She moved to Tasmania as a young person in search of a new start in her life and education. As a technologist, Mars has solved problems across visual design, public health, aerospace, and more. Mars seeks to inspire even the littlest Tasmanians to appreciate the science and beauty all around them.
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David Foster

David Foster OAM, a world champion woodchopper, is often called Australia’s most successful athlete. David grew up in North West Tasmania and won his first world title in a double-handed sawing team with his father. David wants every young Tasmanian to know their dreams can come true if they believe in themselves.
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Carleeta Thomas

Carleeta Thomas is a proud pakana woman of northeast lutruwita/Tasmania. “The first time I came to wukalina was the first time I came to my actual homeland,” Carleeta says. “I felt a sense of connection the way I feel when I am home on Cape Barren, in the presence of my ancestors.”

Download Book Two

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Little Tasmanian

About the illustrator

Shiloh Longbottom is a Tasmanian illustrator and designer. She works using Procreate, design software created by a clever team of Hobart-based people.

When Shiloh began working on Little Tasmanian, it was just a children’s book. She has since created a whole world around it.

More about Shiloh
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Where can I find the book?

The book is provided for free to parents and carers of new Tasmanian babies born from 1 January 2023. Along with the Little Tasmanian library bag, the book is given to families at their first appointment with the Child Health and Parenting Service (CHaPS), which is the 2-week assessment and often a home visit. Eligible families who do not receive the bag at 2 weeks can receive it at a later visit.

For those slightly bigger Tasmanians who may not qualify for a free bag but would like to experience Little Tasmanian, the book is available to borrow at select Libraries Tasmania locations. You'll also find it in Tasmanian bookstores around the state, and available online in our Tasmanian store.

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Book One: Little Tasmanian

The four Tasmanians in the first Little Tasmanian book represent the quiet pursuit of the extraordinary. They worked hard, overcoming adversity, to pursue their passion. One of them used art and storytelling to continue an ancient cultural tradition. Another moved here from across the world to practice his craft and to surf on pristine, empty beaches. Two of them did what people said they could never do, in sport and in business. The message is simple and true: someone just like you did it and you can do it too.

Meet the Characters: Book One
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Auntie Vicki-Laine Green

Auntie maikutena Vicki-Laine Green is a Tasmanian Aboriginal artist who specialises in traditional shell necklace making. She also works in basket weaving, kelp, and quilting. maikutena learned from her older sister and is passing the family tradition to her niece. She has exhibited her work in Tasmania, Australia, and around the world.
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Jemma Blair

Growing up in Bridport, on the north-east coast of Tasmania, Jemma Blair was always surrounded by sports. She’s driven to continue AFLW to the highest level she can, and wherever life takes her, Jemma knows that Tasmania is where she’ll end up, and Bridport will always be the town she calls home.
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Diane Edgerton

When Diane Edgerton opened a sheet metal workshop in a shed behind her home in Burnie, a lot of people told her she’d never make it in this tough business. Now she owns and operates Direct Edge Manufacturing, one of the top precision manufacturing operations in Australia.
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Masaaki Koyama

Masaaki grew up in a rural village in Japan and learned the art of sushi in Osaka, where he became an acclaimed chef. His life changed when he met a Tasmanian woman who invited him to her home. Now he practices his craft, and surfs, in Geeveston.

Download Book One

Download in English

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