thread: A real long shot, but does anyone remember this children's book from early 1980s?

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Jun 2007
    Brisbane
    1,621

    Question A real long shot, but does anyone remember this children's book from early 1980s?

    Ok, so I'd love to find a book I was given as a kid. I wish I/my mum had thought to hang onto it, but them's the breaks ...

    Trouble is ... I can't remember the name of the book!

    So, would any, ahem ... older (cough cough) BB members recall a book fitting this description.

    I'm not actually expecting anyone to remember it, but I haven't got the first clue where to locate it online or otherwise as I suspect I really need the name of the book.

    - Year of publication would have been about 1982-84 or thereabouts
    - approx A4-size hardcover (sky blue I think) book
    - about a koala who travelled the world (i think in a hot air balloon)
    - met people from different backgrounds and cultures, learned folk stories along the way
    - I vividly recall the koala going to russia and the story from there was about a faberge egg.
    - I also remember something about the koala meeting St Nicholas around Xmas time.

    Ring any bells, anyone????

    Aaarrghhh. If ONLY I could remember more about it. I'd love to get my hands on this book for my children. It's obviously out of print, so I'm not hopeful, but finger crossed.

    Cheers, Andie

  2. #2
    Moderator

    Dec 2006
    Smidgen-ville
    3,736

    I can't help (was not in Australia for my childhood), but i thought you could either try calling a library, or a old family-run type bookstore. Or asking someone who worked/works in childcare. They get exposed to lots of books too - especially ones with a local flavour.

    Good luck!

  3. #3
    Registered User

    May 2005
    Canberra
    3,617

    My parents have that book at their house! It belongs to my younger sister. I cann't remember what it is called though. When I go around there next (probably on the weekend) I can check for you, if I remember.

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Jul 2007
    Melbourne
    867

    Could you be thinking of a Golden Book called Blinky Bills Extraordinary Balloon Adventure?

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Jun 2007
    Brisbane
    1,621

    Thanks guys.

    Kris - Thanks heaps, but no. It's not a blinky bill book. Though I'm still sure the koala I'm thinking of was in a balloon. : )

    Misty - OMG ... if that is the book, yes please! Will give you a gazillion rep points (if mods let me ...) if you can give me the name of it. Yay, I may have a lead!

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    Melbourne
    1,628

    It may not be out of print. I asked the book store about a book that I have not seen for sale in years and she said that it was still in print just something they dont stock. They may be able to order it in if it is.

    FWIW the book sounds familiar but I dont know its name, sorry

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Jul 2007
    melb
    8,498

    Would it be a Dot and the ........ book there a varying amount of them.

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Jul 2006
    In The Land Of Wonderful...
    1,751

    I think I can picture the book but have no idea of its name, sorry

    I can tell you though, that usually if you're struggling to find a book out of print etc you can find it online at the book depository... I've found so many long lost books on there

    Good Luck with your lead

  9. #9
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber
    Add Schmickers on Facebook

    Jan 2006
    Port Macquarie, NSW
    1,443

    That sounds really familiar to me as well. I'm sure I had it read to me when I was younger.

    And I don't think I'm that old... :-P

  10. #10
    BellyBelly Member

    Nov 2004
    VIC
    1,794

    was it Dot and the Kangaroo???
    sounds familiar to me too
    try Ward Sagar Book shop in Eltham vic
    they are a school book stockist and I am sure they will know it!
    will do some research myself!!

  11. #11
    Registered User

    Jul 2010
    sydney
    2,187

    is it around the world with koa-koala????

  12. #12
    Registered User

    Jun 2010
    qld
    60

    I'm sure i've seen this as a cartoon on the abc in the morning. Was a year or so ago tho. Sorry can't remember the name.

  13. #13
    2014 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.

    Mar 2008
    Vic
    4,806

    was it Dot and the Kangaroo???
    sounds familiar to me too
    try Ward Sagar Book shop in Eltham vic
    they are a school book stockist and I am sure they will know it!
    will do some research myself!!
    Hahaha I was going to say that myself as an ex-employee!!!!!!

    Ring Kay or email her - she has run the shop for 25 odd years and is brilliant at that sort of thing.

  14. #14

    Jul 2009
    Out North, Vic
    8,538

    Andie - i have a link to a pic of the Around the world with Koa Koala but your inbox is full.. can you PM me???
    See if it's the same one... fwiw i googled for images of books - koala in a balloon... also just use plain google, you might find it.

  15. #15
    Registered User

    Jun 2007
    Brisbane
    1,621

    Wow ... my long shot may not have been such a long shot after all!

    Thanks everyone. I know it wasn't a Koa Koala or Dot and the Kangaroo book. Partly because I remember both, but mainly because Koa keeps coming up I search online.

    Det and PacRakMG - thanks for the heads up on the book shop. I'm going to hang 5 until Misty can shoot me through the name of the book at her parents place - it might be "the one". I'm sure if I had the name of this book I'd have no probs tracking it down.

    Thanks again - all posts have been much appreciated

    ETA - any my inbox is now clear