Tui meets the Mini Beasts - by Heather A. Gordon

It starts with a smell.

When Tui follows it, a whole new world opens. A world filled with wriggling Mini Beasts transforming food scraps into something powerful. With the steady guidance of Yuki and the reluctant wisdom of Brown Dog, Tui uncovers a simple truth: what we throw away doesn't disappear... but it can become something better.

As students, families, and local leaders begin asking questions, a bold idea takes shape. What if waste wasn't waste at all? What if it could feed the soil, support communities, and reduce the need for landfill?

Through hands-on discovery, lively conversations, and a growing sense of purpose, Tui and friends help spark a movement. From school waste audits to council decisions, this story shows how small actions powered by curiosity and collaboration can lead to real environmental change.

At its heart, Tui meets the Mini Beasts is an engaging introduction to circular thinking, brought to life through relatable characters and real-world solutions like insect bioconversion. It invites young readers to see connections, rethink habits, and imagine practical ways to care for the planet.

Perfect for readers aged 8-12, this story blends science, storytelling, and hope: without ever feeling like a lesson.

Because sometimes the biggest ideas begin with the smallest creatures.

And sometimes, change starts with simply asking: what if we did this differently?

Acknowledgement

Acknowledging working on Ngadjuri, Peramangk and Kaurna Country.

About the artwork

Nicola Kngwarraye Butler

“Working with Nicola Kngwarraye Butler continues a long creative relationship shaped by trust, time, and a shared commitment to thoughtful making. Across four decades, our work has moved alongside one another in different forms, always anchored in respect for story, place, and the quiet work of building something meaningful together.

In this current collaboration, Nicola’s artwork brings a depth and presence to my books that extends beyond illustration. Her visual language holds story gently, allowing space for interpretation while remaining closely connected to the heart of the text. To see my words carried in this way feels both steadying and generous.

This collaboration is part of an ongoing creative conversation that continues to evolve. It is shaped by shared history and a mutual understanding of what it means to make work with care.” Heather Gordon 23 April 2026

View Nicola’s art work here: Nicola Kngwarraye Butler