Why I Created an Australian Outback Animals Colouring Book for Kids

Having lived in Central and Western Queensland for most of my life, I have always been surrounded by some of Australia's most fascinating wildlife. When I opened the Miniritchi Gallery in Longreach, one of the most common questions visitors asked was about our local animals and plants. Families were eager to learn more about the unique wildlife of the region, yet I discovered there were very few interactive resources for children, especially colouring books featuring Western Queensland's native animals.

Most Australian colouring books focus on familiar favourites like cockatoos, koalas and wombats. While these iconic animals deserve their place, children growing up in Outback Queensland are surrounded by extraordinary species that are rarely represented. I wanted to create something that celebrated the incredible wildlife found right here in our own backyard.

The result was the Australian Outback Animals Colouring Book, Western Queensland Edition, featuring sixteen native Australian animals, each accompanied by interesting facts to encourage children to learn while they colour.

One of my favourite animals in the book is the Velvet Gecko. Western Queensland is home to an incredible diversity of reptiles, with Australia boasting one of the richest lizard populations on Earth. The Velvet Gecko is particularly beautiful, with its soft, velvety appearance and intricate patterns that look as though they have been carefully painted across its body. It is the perfect example of how even our smallest native animals deserve to be appreciated.

" The Australian Outback is home to some of the world's most remarkable wildlife. I wanted children to discover the animals that make Western Queensland so extraordinary." - Emma Read

I also wanted to include one of Australia's greatest wildlife mysteries, the Night Parrot. For decades it was thought to be extinct before being rediscovered, making it one of the rarest and most elusive birds in the world.

Living on the opal fields near Opalton, around 120 kilometres south-west of Winton, I was fortunate enough to witness a Night Parrot on our family's mining lease. Whether you are a birdwatcher, scientist or simply someone fascinated by Australian wildlife, the Night Parrot captures the imagination like few other species. It spends much of its life hidden within dense spinifex grass, emerging mostly at night, making sightings exceptionally rare. Other unique animals featured throughout the book include the striking Blue-banded Bee, the remarkable Thorny Devil, the Spinifex Pigeon, and many more species that children may never have encountered before.

As an illustration artist, my goal was to create more than just another colouring book. I wanted to produce an educational children's book that celebrates the remarkable wildlife of Western Queensland while encouraging curiosity about our natural environment.

"Every page is an invitation to colour, learn and fall in love with Australia's unique native wildlife, one fascinating species at a time." - Emma Read

The response has been incredibly encouraging. The first print run sold out in our gallery within the first week, and the book is now reaching families well beyond the Outback through museum gift shops, tourism outlets and online sales.

Explore the Australian Outback Animals Colouring Book and discover sixteen fascinating native species that make Western Queensland one of the most unique wildlife regions on Earth. Whether you're a parent, teacher or young nature enthusiast, I hope it inspires a new appreciation for Australia's remarkable Outback.

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Book Two is already in the planning stages, with more amazing Australian wildlife waiting to be discovered.