Copy of books | jim-cox-montville

Passionate about Australian wildlife I have illustrated many books and articles throughout my life. Some have been commissions and some have been freebies ... believing in the cause and the project

SOS ... Save our Species published July 2022; ISBN 978-0-646-86187-6

An illustrated book attempting to bring attention, in an amusing way,

to the tragic destruction of so many of our native Australian animals.

This book is a collaboration with Elaine Green, an environmental

writer, editor, and friend, who has captured the essence of the artwork

with words that appear to speak directly to us, the reader!

In a unique way she points out the careless and thoughtless

behaviour that we inflict upon the lives of our unique animals ...

with no apparent recognition of the harm we do to them.

The images in this book are the result of a life-time passion for wildlife

and a career spent as artist and art teacher in Qld, NSW, Vic and SA.

Below is an example of two of the 24 images that appear in the book.

Not only an interesting and amusing book for children it is also informative for many Australian adults

whose knowledge of our unique native animals is so sadly lacking

Military terms have been used intentionally as the relationship between Australians and their unique wildlife

is surely on a 'war' footing.

The extremely pissed-off Bandicoot Brigade turns its back on OZ

Ignorant humans might regard us as common and unimportant, but they don’t get to see us because we only come out at night. We are not fussy eaters being omnivores, but dogs and cats are our worst enemies.

We have a great sense of smell, lovely long curved toes and are very good at digging but all you will see of us is the conical hole we leave in your lawn. Think of it as a free aeration service. Actually, without us turning over the soil, it would be far less productive. We also disperse fungi spores and make a jolly good contribution to plant diversity.

Bandicoots are joining the war to stand up before it is too late.

When Europeans came to Australia, there were 9 species. Of these 2 species are now extinct and 4 are threatened with extinction with only 3 to go. Some kind humans called conservationists are actually creating safe places for us to live called reserves but they need funding to do more.

It could be the only way to keep us alive as suburbs take over our homes and natural bushlands become rarer.

The second book in thus recent series was the POP- Protect our Pollinators

Again this was launched at an Exhibition (same name) at Mary Cairncross Reserve Gallery, in 20023

text from one of the pages ...Leadbeater’s Possum

Most people have seen a possum or heard them running across the roof at night. The common ones are the Brushtail and the Ringtail, but I am something else. My tail is club-shaped and very useful for carrying bark for lining my nest. Some people call me the “forest fairy” as I flit from tree to tree at night, looking for food and spreading pollen. Like a fairy, you are unlikely to ever see me but it is important to know who I am.

I was first described in 1867 and then nobody bothered about me and it was thought that I had gone extinct until I was “rediscovered” in 1961. I am in fact critically endangered and scientists give me a 30% likelihood of really being extinct within 20 years. I only live in Victoria’s central highlands, in forests of Alpine ash (Eucalyptus delegatensis), Mountain ash (Euc. regnans) and Snow gum (Euc. camphora), preferably with Wattles in the understorey .......

The first book Jim published in this environmental theme was "The Book of Krumple"

which was written for his grandchildren. A minimal print in 2007 was sent to family and friends but the response was so positive that it was reprinted in 2009 and several times since

The following book covers are works in which Jim has contributed. Many of his illustrations wee pro bona as throughout his life he has been generous with his skills and his time in promoting the wonders of our Australian environment.

The following are books

in which his artwork

has been documented