Tree Treasure

Discover the colourful world of jewel bugs with Ellie and Ollie in a heartwarming children's nature story filled with real-life pet photography, fascinating animal facts and hands-on learning activities.

When Ellie, a curious ginger kitten, notices something sparkling in a backyard tree, she can hardly believe her eyes. Are there really jewels growing among the branches?

With her best friend Ollie, a gentle golden retriever, by her side, Ellie discovers that the colourful treasures are actually jewel bugs - remarkable little insects shimmering in shades of green, blue, gold, bronze and red.

As Ellie investigates, Ollie helps her uncover some fascinating secrets about these tiny creatures. She learns about young jewel bugs, called nymphs, how they grow and change, why their bright colours can help protect them, and the surprisingly smelly defence they can use when they feel threatened.

But their backyard discovery also teaches Ellie something even more important: we don't need to pick up or disturb creatures to enjoy them. We can look, wonder, learn and leave them safely where they belong.

Part of The Adventures of Ellie & Ollie series, Jewel Bugs blends storytelling with early science and nature education, encouraging young children to observe the living world with curiosity, kindness and respect.

Featuring real-life pet photography, Ellie and Ollie's adventure is brought to life through realistic photographic images of a ginger kitten and golden retriever alongside beautiful close-up wildlife imagery of colourful jewel bugs. The photographic style helps children connect the story with animals and insects they may encounter in the real world.

Inside, young readers will also discover:

• fascinating, child-friendly facts about jewel bugs and their life cycle
• real-life pet and wildlife photography
• discussion questions to encourage comprehension, observation and deeper thinking
• colouring-in pages for creative learning and engagement
• gentle messages about respecting insects, wildlife and the natural environment

Perfect for young animal lovers, curious children, families, early years classrooms, libraries and nature-based learning, Jewel Bugs is an engaging Australian wildlife picture book that supports conversations about insects, living things, animal adaptations, life cycles, habitats and caring for nature.

A colourful celebration of friendship, discovery and the extraordinary little creatures living all around us.