A delightful and humours read! Also, I learned that this isn't real!! I fell for the koalas jumping out of trees and bting people trick.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a cute, humorous tale about the "dropbear" who drops from the trees to eat small animals. Everyone is afraid of him, until a little bird decides to find out if the rumors are true. I didn't know that there is a myth about a fanged creature that resembles a koala, nor that Aussies sometimes prank tourists with tales of the "dropbear". It was fun to learn more and hear the tall tale. The illustrations were well done and I think this would make a good storytime story.

When I was in Australia, several locals tried to convince me about the existence of dropbears. I never believed them but always found it hilarious. Most people cannot find koalas to be anything but cute. Personally, I am really grossed out by them, but that is entirely because I understand the reality of most of them having chlamydia.

This story is an adorable rhyming tale that kids will love. The illustrations are simple but lovely. I think my kiddos will adore this book.

This is a great addition to my library and other elementary school libraries. I also think it is a great addition to public libraries and personal collections.

Thank you to Charlesbridge and Net Galley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I get the giggles thinking about the legend of the dropbear, the fierce animal that jumps out at you from the trees in Australia-- only of course dropbears don't exist and are just a prank pulled on tourists.
Of course, the real animal here is the adorable koala. The language and pictures are very cute, and kids can learn the real information and the myth.

this was adorable! the story was so cute and the illustrations were so cute and easy to look at. i loved this! the kiddos in my classroom would absolutely love this story about the sweet little koala.

What a spooky and cute tale WITH a good message! It’s got everything it needs for a strong read aloud and more- true back matter, rhyming, suspense, and a surprise ending. Kids will love this!

A silly bear just looking for some love.
Cute illustrations that lead to a surprise ending.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

Thank you for allowjng me to review this book. It is a lovely little rhyming book. All about the Koala's cousins' Dropbear. Good book to explain to children to not listen to rumours . Lovely eye catching art work throughout. Was a hit with my 5 year old .

I'd never heard of the dropbear story in Australia before, but I find it hilarious and will definitely be on the lookout for anyone trying to scare me with it if I go there. This is a funny book with a sweet lesson about looking at situations differently, as well as being the one to reach out and take a chance on what others may see as scary (within reason of course.) It was nice to see the dreaded, adorable dropbear/koala get what he was always looking for, and to see the other animals in the book come around in friendship, too. The rhymes are easy to read with a tangible meter that makes them amenable for story time sessions, and I like that the book takes place at night deep in the bush, with high contrasts in the illustrations. This is also a nice introduction to Australian mammals and birds, and I can see children taking turns in guessing what the dropbear looks like and what he wants. The only question I had throughout the book is whether the dropbear/koala was actively growling or making a fuss within the trees that truly came off as scary, or whether the animals on the ground simply misinterpreted his moving around and attempted messages. I lean towards the latter, although he does seem like a cheeky little fellow, if only slightly, so it may be a little of both.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Charlesbridge, for this DRC in exchange for a fair and honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

Beware of the legend of the drop bear. Hear the stories from creatures of the outback as they learn whether or not the stories are real.

This is a great, fun book. It's got a wonderful rhyming cadence, with excellent illustrations. It's funny and sweet while providing a lesson about learning to differentiate fact from fiction. This would be a great book for a storytime/read-aloud for kids ages 4-8. It's engaging enough to keep kids' attention and focus. Definitely a great kids book!

Things aren't always what they seem, and rumors are often unfounded. Do a little fact-checking on your own. These lessons are all humorously imparted for the preschool set.

Thanks to NetGalley and Charlesbridge for the ARC.

Dropbear is a humorous and witty twist about the legend (or if you ask an Aussie, true story) of the Australian Drop Bears!

According to Aussies (I’m married to one), Drop Bears are fanged, terrible creatures that drop on unsuspecting tourists (usually from the US) that bite and claw you until you leave fleeing!

This picture book has darling graphics that match Drop Bears ferocious qualities. All the animals of The Bush have all heard the tale of Dropbear and they walk cautiously when near its home, except for one little bird who doesn’t believe the tale since he has never seen Dropbear hurt anyone. Little bird is brave and waits under the tree and in 3, 2, 1…. come find out how this story ends.

Thank you @Netgalley and @Charlesbridge for the advanced digital copy. We plan to purchase for our Aussie cousins when they visit later this year.

My lovely American friend sent me the NetGalley link for this captioned "i found the perfect book for you" - and she was right. I am absolutely the kind of Australian who has told tourists about dropbears in a serious tone... (also the hoop snake)

I'm a big fan of Philip Bunting's picture books anyway but this one is particularly good - not only is it an introduction to the dreaded (and fictional) dropbear - but it's also a cautionary tale about listening to rumors instead of finding out the truth for yourself...

I certainly have fond memories of my first time getting to hug a dropbear (ok fine, it was a koala), i didn't even have any Vegemite smeared behind my ears.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance reader's digital copy.

Beware of Dropbear. He lives up high in a tree and drops on animals passing by. All the animals talk about Dropbear, but bird wants to see for herself. She wants to know the truth. Come to find out Dropbear just wants a . . . hug!

Love Phillip Buntings books and so do my first graders. I am sure this one will be a hit. I love the humor, the rumors and LOVE the answer. Can’t wait to share this one with others!!

The rhyming text gives this story easy flow for the reader. It is a story, but it's on the shorter side. Surprisingly, this doesn't take away from the story as that can be the case with some picture books. This book will have children laughing and wondering what will happen next, it also shows the importance of not believing everything you hear and that you should never judge a book by it's cover. The final page explaining that this is a real fake joke that happens in Australia was the cherry on top! I'd recommend this book for ages 4+.

An absolutely hilarious guide to staying safe from Australia's most fearsome predator. While young readers might need reassurance that dropbears are, in fact, a fiction, everyone is sure to get a laugh out of this rhyming romp.

I was drawn to the book because of the cover and knew it was going to be good. It was exactly the kind of book I'd seek out to read to my preschool class. I admit I had to Google what a "dropbear" was, but nevertheless I think it was lighthearted, humorous, and something any lover of quirky children's books would enjoy.

Netgalley ARC - A fun if a little spooky picture book with tense short phrases that build the drama until... DROP! and I won't spoil what happens after that :)

I absolutely loved Dropbear! This book is funny, clever, and surprisingly sweet. The rhyming text is fun to read aloud, and little ones will enjoy the spooky-silly mood that slowly turns into something much more tender.
Philip Bunting’s signature humor shines through, and the illustrations are full of personality and charm. I especially appreciated the message: things aren’t always what they seem, and sometimes, the scariest creatures are just misunderstood (and maybe even a little lonely).
A great pick for storytime, bedtime, or any time a young reader needs a giggle and a reminder to be kind.
Thank you to Charlesbridge and NetGalley for the ARC!

So cute and fun! The illustrations are great, good rhyming that makes for a fun, fast-paced read, and a lovely twist at the end! We've read a few others by this author/illustrator and have really enjoyed them. Thanks for the ARC!

Cute book. I love the cuddly looking illustrations and storyline is relatable. I believe young children (preschool-second grade) will really connect with this one.

Thank you to Charlesbridge and Netgalley for the digital arc.
This picture book integrates the illustrations and the rhyming text perfectly. Loved the little bird not succumbing to peer pressure and approaching the dropbear on his own to see if he was scary and fearsome. Nope. All he needed was a hug. Had never heard of the dropbear but if I make it to Australia, I'll be on the lookout!
#Dropbear

Dropbear tells the story of a koala and rumors in the forest around him. The rhyming text has hints of humor and provides a good story for young readers. Would be good for teaching students about rumors and gossip. For grades 1-4.

Dropbear is another wonderful addition to Philip Buntings picture books. The story follows a group of woodland creatures who share spooky tales about a feared creature known as the Dropbear, said to lurk in the treetops. However not all is as it appears.
My two boys 3 and 6 enjoyed this one with the 3 year old probably being more in the targeted age group. Illustrations are once again brilliant!
Philip Bunting is unsurprisingly our favourite children’s author in our household!!

The illustrations in this book are SO cute! (Really, I'd pay to have a poster of the cover!) The story is simple and sweet, but may better suited for the younger side of the 2-5 range it's pitched to. I added this one to my little guy's wishlist for when it comes out!

I loved this book. It was charming, suspenseful, funny and thought-provoking.

If you’re learning about Australian animals, this book is a must-have. Not only do several different animals make an appearance, but it’s a really fun way to both introduce and debunk a humorous contemporary Australian myth about predatory marsupials dropping from trees to attack humans.

It’s written in an engaging rhyming format with appealing illustrations.

I really like that one little bird solves the Dropbear mystery by simply questioning the rumours the animals are spreading, and deciding to look for actual proof. That’s a good lesson for all of us — not to just blithely believe whatever we’re told.

The recommended age range is 2-5, but honestly, I think up to 7-year-olds will enjoy it!

What can I say? My nearly 5 year old and I love it!

We’ve read this one a few times for our bedtime story and it’s become a request to hold in our hands.

Philip Bunting is an expert in all things animal, from the ridiculous to the mundane, so this newest story was another delightful journey, this time to Australia for the legendary Dropbear. Sure to make you giggle and aww, this is a great read-aloud.

Koala is a bit misunderstood in this story about gossip and rumors. The animals in the forest are scared of the dropbear which seems to come out nowhere and attack. They have not experienced this event themselves, but everyone knows the story. When one animal actually meets Koala and is able to see past the story, everything is mended. A humorous about funny animals, with a nice message mixed in. Give this to all classrooms to quell rumors, and any child who loves koalas.

A quirky little tale about that relative of the koala - the fanged and famed ‘drop bear’. Brilliant illustrations add a layer of humour in the expressive faces of the many animals who fear the drop bear, all bar one wee bird. Charming rhymes and a great way to learn about Australian wildlife. My only criticism is I think it would be good to have more of an information page about all the actual animals featured for non-Australian audiences beyond just the brief section at the end. Nonetheless, a great picture book.