"In the central desert of Australia north of Alice, Warla, a tiny shy marla sat under a bush. What was that? Danger!" The Marla is a small nocturnal marsupial that inhabits the spinifex and hummock grasslandsof the central desert. The numbers of Mala have been in decline since the 1990's due to habitat destruction and predation. The shy Marla tells the true story of how the Warlpiri people rescued the Marla and took them to safety where they now live in a protected environment. AUTHOR: Liliana Stafford writes picture books and junior fiction novels including Amelia Ellicott's Garden and the award-winning Chiko series. She lives near Fremantle, Western Australia, with her husband Edward, daughter Julia and two dogs Mitzi and Lockie. Most of her stories are written while walking the dogs at the beach or in the park. Sophia Zielinski is an emerging artist from Fremantle, Western Australia. She has exhibited in sculpture, costume, collage and jewellery. For the Shy Mala, her first book, she travelled to the Tanami desert for research and to spend time at Warlpiri communities. SELLING POINTS: Foreword by Boori Pryor Written in consultation with the Warlpiri community Opportunities for use across the curriculum Information page gives factual context Suitable for primary aged children Colour throughout