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Skink on the brink

Lisa Dalrymple - Author

A gentle story about a young skink whose changing appearance unsettles his sense of self, with a friendship that helps him notice what else makes him special.

More about this book

Stewie is a very special skink - he has a beautiful blue tail which gives him a superpower against his enemies. Stewie loves singing his songs and rhymes as he dashes around his home. But as he grows up his beautiful blue tail starts to turn grey - he can't call himself Stewie the Blue anymore! He just doesn't feel quite so special anymore! And without his rhymes his home by the pond doesn't feel as special anymore. But when he meets his new friend the woodpecker, Stewie comes to understand that changing is all a part of growing up and that there are still many things that make him a very special skink!

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Book Analysis

At a Glance

Discover

Growing up· AffirmedSelf-esteem· AffirmedChange· Affirmed

Consider

Emotional intensity

Personalised Fit

Beyond the Cover

growing upself-esteemchangesongsrhymes

Non-fictionPicture book

Themes in Context

Change and self-worth

Stewie’s blue tail turns grey, and he feels less special; a new woodpecker friend helps him recognise other things that make him special.

How the book presents it: The story presents change as part of growing up and affirms that Stewie’s specialness is not limited to his blue tail.

Talk about: What do you think Stewie discovers about himself as he grows up?

Songs and rhymes

Stewie enjoys making up songs and rhymes as he moves around his home.Provisional reading

Talk about: Which of Stewie’s songs or rhymes stands out to you?

Why It May Be Worth Reading

Its central message treats growing up and change as part of life, while suggesting that personal worth need not depend on one distinctive feature.

What Deserves Attention

Stewie feels less special as his tail changes colour and his familiar home feels less special too; this may offer a way into talking about change and self-esteem.

A Conversation Worth Having

What do you think Stewie comes to value about himself besides his blue tail, and what helps him begin to see those qualities?

Reading Approach

Read the story first, then explore the factual back matter and activities together; invite your child to follow whichever skink facts or activities catch their interest.

Confidence & Basis

Theme indicators describe how the book presents a topic; they are not a verdict on the whole book or your family's values. Confidence reflects how much book-specific material was checked. Only part of the book information was available, so some details remain unconfirmed.

What remains unconfirmed

Change and self-worth: Some details of this treatment remain unclear.
Songs and rhymes: The full text and extent of the songs are not described.

Skink on the Brink - Lisa Dalrymple - Google Books

Limited information

Checked: 1 October 2026.

Relevant to: Change and self-worth; Songs and rhymes

Skink on the brink by Lisa Dalrymple | Open Library