Mango and Hopscotch

By Sophie Cunningham & Anil Tortop

Reviewed by Margarite Igras

Sophie Cunningham is an acclaimed Australian writer, teacher, speaker and advocate who was recognised for her advocacy in the literary community with an Order of Australia. Amongst her many novels, essays and non-fiction works, are three picture books aimed at 3–6-year-olds each inspired by some amazing true stories of courageous animal rescues around Australia. Tippy and Jellybean – The True Story of a Brave Koala Who Saved Her Baby from a Bushfire, Flipper and Finnegan – The True Story of How Tiny Jumpers Saved Little Penguins and now the heartwarming tale of Mango and Hopscotch -the Inspiring Story of a Brave Kangaroo and her Joey Rescued from Floodwater. The books have been beautifully illustrated with Anil Tortop’s colourful presentation of life in the Australian landscape.

Mango and her joey Hopscotch live in a beautiful tropical forest on the banks of a big river. Together with the other kangaroos, they munch on grass, bound around, and lounge in the shade. Then one day, it started to rain and continued with lightning and thunder for four days. The river levels rose swiftly; the mob needed to find safety, so too, the cockatoos, magpies, goanna and python. Mango and Hopscotch have no choice but to swim in the roaring water until, they suddenly hear a voice It’s okay, little mate and soon they are lifted onto a kayak and taken to a hill high above the floodwaters.

Tortop’s colourful and animated illustrations carry the story. I am sure the reader will be able to retell the story from the illustrations alone. This is a gentle but informed tale of the dangers we can experience in the Australian landscape and the way people rally to help each other and the fauna around them.

Teaching Resources

Albert Street Books 2025

Sophie Cunningham

Anil Tortop