Inspired by a Gumnut

Understanding how far away Australia is and comprehending that when it's night time in Connecticut, it's already the next morning in Perth is difficult for adults to understand. Try being a 2 (now almost 4) year old just learning to talk and skyping with your aunt on snowy night and it's sunny outside her window and she's in a tank top. Luckily I have a patient and amazing sister who has broadened my nieces' world to include Australia. She now knows that Australia is far away (you have to fly in an airplane to get there) and the when it's day time in New England it's night time in Australia. So I had to do my part and share some of Australia with my niece back home. And what better way than with a traditional Australian children's book. And so I introduced the story of Snuggepot and Cuddlepie.

"Snugglepot and Cuddlepie is a series of books written by Australian author May Gibbs. The books chronicle the adventures of the eponymous Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. The central story arc concerns Snugglepot and Cuddlepie (who are essentially homunculi) and their adventures along with troubles with the villains of the story, the “Banksia Men”. 

Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, the gumnut babies, are the protagonists of the story and are modeled on the appearance of young Eucalyptus (gum tree) nuts. The female gumnut babies, however, have their hair, hats and skirts modeled on Eucalyptus flowers.

(Thank you Wikipedia)

And I'm proud to say that Snugglepot and Cuddlepie have become part of their nighttime routine. 

Now this is slightly humourus, as Snugglepot and Cuddlepie are basically naked babies that go on some slightly bizarre adventures. It is not your typical filtered American cookie cutter story.

I recently learned that May Gibbs, the author of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, spent a lot of  her childhood in Western Australia, with a large part of her inspiration coming from Harvey. Coincidentally, I was in Harvey last weekend and visited Stirling Cottage, the site of her original family home.

It wasn't hard to see where she got her inspiration from.

From sleepy, tree lined rivers to gardens full of flowers and open fields

To gumnuts! (both big and small)

All Australian children grow up with the stories of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie and the legend lives on in the Harvey Tourist Center.

And back in Perth, there were also two statues in the gardens I walk by at least once a week walking to the shops. Last year, one of the statues was stolen!

And it's still not returned

But even if they steal the statues we will always have the adventures of these little gumnuts as they encourage us to be curious and kind. And one day I'll get past reading the first couple of pages, or by then my niece will be able to read them all to me...

Sending lots of love to my little blonde gumnut!