Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where can I get Giddy Goanna books from?
Giddy’s books are available directly from Giddy Goanna (www.giddygoanna.org or phone Australia (07) 4639 3888) or see the list of places stocking Giddy’s books in the Shop section of this web site. As new Giddy Goanna products (such as CDs and Videos) are developed, these will also be available directly from Giddy Goanna. Giddy tries to keep the price of Giddy’s books as low as possible and make them as easy to get as possible. Giddy’s latest book is usually available from all newsagencies in Australia, but Giddy did not have the funds to print a new book for December 2002. It is planned that Book 6 will be in al newsagencies from November 2003. To find which newsagents stock Giddy’s books, visit the Shop section of Giddy’s web site.

When will Giddy’s next book be out?
Giddy releases a new book each year. Giddy hopes to release "Busy in the Back Yard" (Book 6) in November 2003. This is dependent on securing adequate funds from sponsorship, donation and sales. Please let everyone you know about Giddy Goanna, and encourage them to purchase Giddy’s books. Your support is really appreciated. For a list of the topics Giddy plans to cover in the next ten years, check out Future FAQ, Sponsor/Donations and Sponsor FAQ.

How can I be sure not to miss out on any of Giddy’s new books?
We now offer a very popular SUBSCRIPTION service, where we automatically send you the latest book (with a 10% discount) when it’s printed. Order your subscription through Giddy’s shop.

Who is Giddy Goanna for?
Children from 6 months to 10 years enjoy and learn from Giddy’s books. Giddy’s books cover a wide range of health and safety issues, and are aimed at being applicable to as wide a section of children as possible. Even if Giddy’s books do not cover an issue that is particularly relevant for your family/community, Giddy provides a good basis to commence education on that particular topic. For example, you could ask "What do you think Giddy would do in this situation?" Giddy Goanna is enjoyed by children from all cultures throughout Australia and the world. In time, it will be translated into other languages.

How did the Giddy Goanna program commence?
Giddy Goanna actually commenced as a program to address child safety on farms. It was so effective, that we had much demand from parents and health/safety professionals to expand and cover a broad range of health and safety issues so all children could benefit.

How long does it take to write each book?
Each book takes three years to research, write, consult, illustrate and print. Over 300 people are involved in the consultation regarding the content of each book. This includes children, parents and professionals from a wide range of organisations (health/safety/education…).

Why do Giddy’s books also include safety behaviours for adults?
Not only will children be aware of what they need to do when they are adults (and children grow up so fast), but Giddy’s books have proven to be a great way of getting parents to act safer and healthier as well.

Why is Giddy Goanna a non-profit organisation and not a commercial organization?
Giddy Goanna is a registered non-profit organisation, established so that all funds received are used to produce products and programs that will improve the lives of children and their families. Whilst we aim to become self-sustaining, all funding received will be used to expand the program to benefit more children and provide different ways of educating children (eg songs, TV shows, Live Shows, videos…).

 

Parents FAQS

When can children start using Giddy’s books?
Children learn from an amazingly young age, much younger than we realise. It’s a great idea to start using Giddy’s books with children from the day they are born. Babies benefit greatly from being read to and they love to look at bright pictures from a very young age. We have received many reports that children as young as 18 months are actually learning safety messages from Giddy’s books. The fantastic thing about Giddy’s books, is that children continue to love them from 18mths to 10 years. There are many dimensions to Giddy’s books, and they are great books for children to grow up with.

What are some comments that other parents have made?
• Wives often comment that Giddy’s books have provided a way to finally get husbands using safety gear, such as earmuffs, chemical masks, safety glasses… Since the children read Giddy’s books and have learned about what safety gear adults should wear when doing dangerous jobs, they effectively remind their fathers on the safest way to do things.
• Giddy’s books keep children entertained for ages when travelling in cars.
•Children with reading difficulties have so much enjoyed the Giddy Goanna books that their reading recovery teacher has lent them, that the parents have purchased the full set of Giddy’s books. "It’s so wonderful to have a book that my child wants to read."
• A mother of a Down’s Syndrome child found her daughter who was in her teens really enjoyed them and learned from them.
• Parents of children with ADD / ADHD have commented that Giddy’s books are one of the few books that keep their attention, as there is so much in the books to do and look for.
• Many parents ask if several new Giddy books can be released each year, as Giddy’s books become the children’s favourite books and they want to read them night after night. "It would be great to have even more variety."
• A doctor told how he had been explaining for years to his father, who was a farmer, how his hearing was being continually damaged and that he needed to wear earmuffs. However, his father continued not to wear them. Then, one day the doctor’s children said "Grandad, why aren’t you wearing your earmuffs? Giddy Goanna says you should wear them." Grandad has worn his earmuffs ever since, as he thinks Giddy’s messages are great for the grandchildren and he wants them to be doing the safe things.

How can I provide feedback on Giddy’s books?

Simply send your feedback to giddy@giddygoanna.org or
PO Box 832, Toowoomba 4350, Australia.


 

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