The story of the famous Burke and Wills expedition ... as it has never been told before. The humans call him 'Bell Sing', but to the other camels he is known as 'He Who Spits Further Than the Wind'. Transported from the mountains and deserts of the 'Northwest Frontier' (present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan), Bell Sing accompanies explorers Burke and Wills as they try to cross Australia from south to north. Bell Sing has never had a high opinion of humans -- or horses. And this expedition is the worst-managed caravan he's ever been in. Camel handler Dost Mahomet and soldier John King are also beginning to wonder if their leader is competent ... or crazy. Bell Sing can smell water over the sandhills on the horizon ... and freedom too. Can the expedition succeed? And who -- if anyone -- will survive? This is the gritty and true story about one of the most extraordinary and iconic events in Australia's history. PRAISE FOR THE ANIMAL STARS 'an irreverent and informative charmer' - Sunday Age 'What a delight to read this book! ... could inspire much original history reading by young readers' - Book News 'This is history brought to life for the younger reader' - Reader's Feast Book Guide

Presents the story of an Australian woman who set off to cross the outback, accompanied only by 4 camels and a dog. Photo CD contains photographs and narration. Apple CD contains an interactive program for the user to join the trip.

First part of survey of feral livestock in Australia; p.90-91; Notes gradual use of Aborigines as temporary replacements for Afghan drivers, growth of Aboriginal use of camels for personal transport; p.98-102; Details of Aboriginal use of camels, ease of handling, tourist industry, area of distribution shown in map (Alice Springs - Oodnadatta - Musgrave Park - Mount Doreen), list of localities in table.

A warmly reassuring rhyming story (with a fun counting element!) about how it’s ok to need a little alone time, from the author of the award-winning The Littlest Yak. Doug the camel is all alone and sometimes he wonders whether one is enough (it makes playing hide and seek terribly tough…). So when at first one, then two, then three, then four more camels turn up (followed by a whole camel herd), Doug delights in the possibilities all these new friends bring. But when Doug is ‘all camelled out’ from all the excitement and it's time to count down to bedtime, he takes just as much pleasure from the peace of being alone once again. Lu Fraser’s warm, funny text is a delight to read out loud and is brilliantly illustrated by Sarah Warburton in the first book from this exciting new picture book partnership. By Lu Fraser & Kate Hindley: The Littlest Yak

Ahmed Ackbar, a thirteen-year-old Afghan and the youngest Afghan cameleer speaks Pashto and a very little English. He is the only surviving male in his immediate family. In late 1872 he sails into the prosperous city of Adelaide with three cameleers (Uncle Kamran, Alannah and Jemma Khan) to help look after four camels. But Ahmed has other things on his mind. What if his uncle isn't as innocent of his brother's (Ahmed's father) death as he seems? As the expedition treks into an unexplored interior, Ahmed must cope with Jemma Khan's enmity, his own homesickness, a very different culture and language, and the difficulties of exploration.