Simon & Schuster Australia to publish Grug and the Bushfire with portion of proceeds going to Koala Hospital

Simon & Schuster Australia will publish Grug and the Bushfire by Ted Prior this November.

The 35th title in the iconic Australian children’s brand, which was first published in 1979 and has sold over a million copies since 2009, will be published in a special edition hardback format, larger in size than other books in the series.

Prior was inspired to write the book by the Black Summer fires that affected so many Australians earlier this year. Prior lives on a 200 acre property at Killabakh in Northern NSW and, while the Rural Fire Service managed to save his home, most of the neighbouring forest was lost in the fire.

Editor Michelle Swainson said: ‘We hope Grug can play a key role in helping younger children understand the presence of bushfires in Australia and that, even through the devastation, there is also hope and renewal. And as with every Grug book there is a sweet message of looking after your friends.’

‘We hope parents, grandparents and teachers can use the book to start a conversation with kids that makes them feel safe.’

Simon & Schuster will be donating a portion of proceeds to the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, a not-for-profit organisation that treats and cares for injured koalas, in addition to playing a significant leadership role in research and policy issues on the care of koalas.

Grug and the Bushfire will be published 1 November, 2020.