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This month in Bandicoot Book Corner, we’re celebrating The Last Hollow as our Book of the Month. This is a wonderful story inspired by author and wildlife advocate Ben Dessen’s decades of rescuing native animals and witnessing the importance of old trees and natural hollows. His book invites young readers to understand and protect the wildlife around them. As Ben shares, “When we give children the chance to care for nature, we ignite a lifelong sense of wonder and responsibility. Small hands can make a big difference.” 

In this interview, Ben reflects on the experiences that shaped the story, the extraordinary species that inspired its characters, and why programs like Junior Landcare are so important in nurturing the next generation of environmental carers. 

What first sparked the idea for The Last Hollow? Was there a moment or experience that set the story in motion? 

The idea for The Last Hollow grew from my work rescuing and rehabilitating native wildlife over more than 20 years, and seeing firsthand just how vital old trees and natural hollows are for many species like black cockatoos. I’ll never forget standing beside the stump of an old tree that had recently been cut down for a new development and realising it had been a home for countless animals over many generations. That moment stayed with me. I wanted to create a story that captured both the beauty and the fragility of these ecosystems, and to inspire young readers to care deeply about the creatures that depend on them.  

Australian native species play a big role in your book – what do you think makes them so fascinating and unique? 

Australia’s wildlife is extraordinary. Many of our species are found nowhere else on earth, and the ways they’ve adapted to survive in such a diverse and often harsh landscape is truly remarkable. From gliding marsupials to birds that carve hollows with their beaks, every animal tells a story of resilience and uniqueness. Australia has an incredible variety of bird species and I wanted to introduce children to some lesser-known species of birds in the story such as the bush-stone curlew and purple swamp hen. I’ve always believed that the more children learn about these species, the more they’ll fall in love with them and want to protect them. 

What impresses you about the resources and activities on the Junior Landcare website — what do you love most about the program, and is there a favourite Learning Centre activity you enjoy or recommend? 

Junior Landcare does an incredible job of empowering children to take meaningful, handson action for the environment. The resources are practical, engaging, and beautifully designed to spark curiosity. What I love most is that the program gives children real-world skills and inspires them to see themselves as caretakers of their own backyard. One of my favourite Learning Centre activities is the “Creating Habitat for Wildlife” modules. These modules connect perfectly with the themes in The Last Hollow and helps children understand how small actions, like planting native species or providing safe habitats, can make a huge difference for local wildlife. 

Why do you believe it’s so important for Australian children to learn about caring for the environment from a young age? 

The future of our environment quite literally rests in the hands of the next generation. When children learn early on that their actions matter and that they can help protect animals, restore habitats, and care for the environment, they grow into adults who value and safeguard the natural world. Environmental connection begins with simple experiences: planting a tree, spotting a bird nest in a tree, exploring a local creek. Those moments shape lifelong attitudes. 

 Storytelling is a powerful tool — how do you use it to spark children’s curiosity about science, geography, and sustainability? 

Storytelling allows children to connect emotionally before they connect intellectually. Through characters like Marlin, Banksi and their chick Kiara, children can understand complex ideas such as habitat loss, conservation, and species interdependence in a gentle and accessible way. Once their hearts are engaged, their curiosity naturally follows. Stories open the door; science and sustainability walk through it. 

For further information about Ben please visit his website: www.bendessen.com.au