Joey Gets His Wings

Beneath the vast blue skies of Australia’s outback, Art dreams of flying, with his small toy kangaroo, Joey, never far from his side. When Art leaves home to join the Australian Flying Corps, Joey is tucked into his bag, a small reminder of home.

Together, they travel far beyond the red earth, Joey strapped to the front of Art’s plane as he soars through the skies above a distant war where courage is tested and home feels far away. Until one day, they are separated.

Alone in a distant field, Joey waits, holding onto hope, and the memory of the boy who carried him there.

Inspired by true stories, Joey Gets His Wings is a heartfelt tale of friendship and the love that leads us home.

Captain Elliot “Tab” Pflaum, an Australian Flying Corps pilot from South Australia, carried his leather kangaroo mascot, Joey, through WWI skies. Perched on his aircraft, Joey symbolised courage and companionship, enduring aerial missions and later preserved as a treasured keepsake, connecting past sacrifice with remembrance.

From the award-winning creator of Dreaming Soldiers

‘A powerful and moving story… its strength lies in the friendship and shared journey at its heart.’

Inspired by the real stories of Australian soldiers who carried small mascots from home to bring comfort during the First World War.

About the Author

Catherine Bauer is an Australian author whose work for young readers explores courage, imagination and emotional resilience. Her picture books include Dreaming Soldiers and Len Waters: Boundless and Born to Fly (Big Sky Publishing). Dreaming Soldiers received the Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Award for its contribution to children's literacy and language development.

Drawing on real histories and lived experiences, Catherine creates stories that foster curiosity, empathy and reflection. Her other titles include Juniper's Painting and the young adult novel Tulips for Breakfast, set in wartime Europe. With a background in communications, Catherine regularly speaks with students about writing, history and storytelling. She lives in Adelaide, South Australia.