Bailey's mum had always said that being by the creek with Bailey and her dad was as good as it gets*. She had shown Bailey sap glistening on tree trunks. They had crouched together to nudge a beetle onto a leaf. They had sat on the creek's edge with their bare feet in the water.*
It's one year since Bailey's mum died. And her dad doesn't seem to care much about anything. But Bailey still spends afternoons by the creek with her dog, Sheba.
Until Sheba gets sickβvery sickβfrom something she must have swallowed while swimming in the creek. And Bailey notices all the rubbish polluting the waterway.
Between visits to Sheba in the vet hospital, Bailey tries to find a way to make the creek safe for Sheba and other animals. And through her unexpected friendship with Israel, a quiet boy who knows about endangered species, Bailey Finch finds the courage to take a stand.
Bailey Finch Takes a Stand is a moving story about love and loss, about caring for the environment and standing up to make change happen.
Ingrid Laguna is a renowned novelist and educator. She has written a memoir and numerous books for children, including Songbird, Sunflower, Bailey Finch Takes a Stand and Kit and Arlo Find a Way. Her writing has featured in various publications, including the Monthly, Age and AEU Magazine. She regularly presents to teachers and students at schools, libraries, festivals and conferences.
'A gentle story with some positive messages around caring for our environment, thinking globally and acting locally, the power kids can have when they're passionate about making a change in the world. It's well written with believable, interesting characters and authentic relationships...A good tool to get kids interested in looking after their local area. Recommended.' Magpies
'Bailey Finch reminds us that change is possible when good people take a stand. A beautiful, inspiring tale about a true hero.' Penny Tangey
'Sparkles with hope...I cheered and cried for Bailey, who is adventurous, brave and determined to change the world.' Fiona Hardy