25 October 2012

About Gumnuts

Gumnuts.  Because there has been some questions.

 
The gumtree, or Eucalyptus, has very distinctive flowers and fruit (gumnuts), the type you can't resist picking up if you pass them on the footpath.  The flowers have stamens rather than petals in beautiful colours of white, cream, yellow, pink or red.  The woody fruits, or gumnuts, release the seeds.



In 1918 May Gibbs, Australian author and illustrator, published Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, a book which has given Australian children their own fairy tales, with characters from local flora and fauna.  The book chronicles the adventures of the gumnut babies who are modelled on the appearance of young Eucalyptus nuts. The female gumnut babies' hair, hats and skirts are modelled on the flowers of the Eucalyptus tree.  It has become a classic Australian children's book.





Have you read Snugglepot and Cuddlepie?
Do you have a favourite Fairytale?
 
Trudy

5 comments:

  1. I love the elves and the shoemaker, not really fairies but still little! Ada :)

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  2. Haven't heard of that one, and I thought I knew all the classic fairy tales! Obviously not one well known in England!
    My own favourite is Little Red Riding Hood - which is also a favourite with most of the classes I've taught over the years!
    Angie x

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  3. I love eucalyptus and how it smells but I honestly didn't know about the gum nuts... that's really interesting!

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  4. Thank you for this! I have never heard of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie (although that is an adorable name for a kid's book) but it's so nice to know a bit more about Australian cultural traditions. Those eucalyptus flower are so pretty. x

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  5. Hey Trudie, those gumnut babies are just the sweetest little things, specially the top pic.
    I love flowering gums and we have a red one in our tree belt. It's quite spectacular when it's in full flower.
    IP have to confess and say I've never actually read Snugglepot and Cuddlepie which I think is a bit remiss of me......will have to remedy that.
    I do love Wind in the Willows and Brambly Hedge, didn't actually discover either of those till I was in my 20's. Must be a late bloomer, hehe......

    Claire :}

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