Tui meets the Mini Beasts

It starts with a smell.

When Tui follows it, a whole new world opens. A world filled with wriggling Mini Beasts transforming food scraps into something powerful. With the steady guidance of Yuki and the reluctant wisdom of Brown Dog, Tui uncovers a simple truth: what we throw away doesn't disappear... but it can become something better.

As students, families, and local leaders begin asking questions, a bold idea takes shape. What if waste wasn't waste at all? What if it could feed the soil, support communities, and reduce the need for landfill?

Through hands-on discovery, lively conversations, and a growing sense of purpose, Tui and friends help spark a movement. From school waste audits to council decisions, this story shows how small actions powered by curiosity and collaboration can lead to real environmental change.

At its heart, Tui meets the Mini Beasts is an engaging introduction to circular thinking, brought to life through relatable characters and real-world solutions like insect bioconversion. It invites young readers to see connections, rethink habits, and imagine practical ways to care for the planet.

Perfect for readers aged 8-12, this story blends science, storytelling, and hope: without ever feeling like a lesson.

Because sometimes the biggest ideas begin with the smallest creatures.

And sometimes, change starts with simply asking: what if we did this differently?

Heather Anne Gordon is an Australian author and artist working across writing and visual practice. Her stories are grounded in regional South Australia and focus on people, community, and the practical realities of learning and change.Cover artwork by Australian Contemporary Aboriginal artist, Nicola Kngwarraye Butler sits alongside the text as part of a collaborative process that brings together visual storytelling and cultural knowledge, strengthening the connection between story, place, and Country.