The Thylacine and the Time Machine

 

The Thylacine and the Time Machine by Renee Treml (Allen & Unwin) PB RRP $17.99 ISBN: 9781761181184

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

If you follow the news and updates in the area of science, you may be aware of the ‘science of de-extinction’. Even if you’re not, you will soon be fascinated by the concept once you enter the Violet’s world as she rushes to complete her school project in Renee Treml’s graphic novel, The Thylacine and the Time Machine.

In what appears to be a typical procrastination habit, 12-year-old Violet has left her project to the very last minute and is now under the pump to research the Tasmanian Tiger and get her project submitted by Monday morning. The problem is, it’s currently Saturday morning and Violet is easily distracted by her family, her dog and the rabbit holes of internet research.

Of course, it doesn’t help matters when she is visited by the ghost of Tasmanian Tiger, who not only sets Violet straight on her misleading name – Tassie Tigers (Thylacinus cynocephalus or thylacines if you want to be correct) are not actually tigers and were not originally exclusive to Tasmania – but then insists on taking Violet on a wild time machine ride to the past, when Thylacines roamed Australia.

Author Renee Treml has packed a huge number of intriguing facts about Thylacines, de-extinction science and a host of other extinct and endangered Australian animals into this 158-page comic strip narrative non-fiction for readers aged 8–12. The facts fly off every page in a fast and furious manner but are easy to digest and ensure you want to keep reading – not only to learn more but also to see if Violet is ever going to get this project finished.

With her background in environmental science and ecology, it’s no surprise that Treml, who also illustrated the book, is able to engage and excite readers about science – such is her own obvious enthusiasm and passion for this subject.

So, whether they’re after a humorous read (there are plenty of funny moments and banter between Violet and Thyla (the ghost Thylacine), have an interest in Tassie Tigers, or want to know more about the idea of de-extinction, The Thylacine and the Time Machine is a book middle and upper primary school students will enjoy dipping into again and again.