Martin Killips
Author and originator of The Big Bamboo himself - a rotund panda bear who reputedly writes and illustrates rhymes for children aged 5 to 500...or older!
The Big Bamboo himself was born after Killips visited the Royal Natural History Museum in London in 1994 and saw the stuffed remains of Chi Chi, a once famous panda bear kept by London Zoo. The Big Bamboo, the first picture storybook featuring the panda, was published in 1997. Five further poetry books have since been published:
1. Once Upon An Amusing Rhyme 2. Flower Power 3. How Many Have You Got? 4. Dances With Hippos 5. The Big Back-Stalking Tiger
Martin Killips can be heard most weeks on Gold FM 92.5 as well as the Macquarie Radio network.
Examples of The Big Bamboo poetry and illustrations can be found at www.TheBigBamboo.com.au