1. Animals
2. Art motifs
3. Ecology
4. Endangered species
5. Glossaries and vocabularies
6. Habitat
7. Literary devices

This picture book is a series of double page spreads, each depicting an Australian animal in its natural habitat. Each featured animal is endangered, and the spread shows one of the challenges to their survival. The entry for Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo reads, ‘Amongst the dying trees she hunts for another safe home’. Ten animals are featured, covering mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. At the end of the book there is a glossary with a short description of where each animal lives and why they are endangered.

The illustrations are bright and beautiful in contrast to the sombre message of the book offered in poetry form. They are done in Sally Morgan’s iconic style, with borders and Indigenous style motifs. Sally Morgan is descended from the Palku and Nyamal peoples of the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

1. ‘The Last Dance’ Teacher Notes https://cdn.hardiegrant.com/-/media/oldrootfiles/the%20last%20dance%20teachers%20notes.ashx?la=en-au
2. ABC Education: Australian Animals https://education.abc.net.au/home#!/topic/1799956/australian-wildlife
3. Australians Together by Uncle Graham Paulson. ‘Aboriginal Spirituality’ https://australianstogether.org.au/discover/indigenous-culture/aboriginal-spirituality/
4. A Hardie Grant Egmont Author: Sally Morgan https://www.hardiegrant.com/au/publishing/bookfinder/author/sally-morgan
5. Megan Daley presents Book People: Sally Morgan includes a Q&A and a talk about verse novel, ‘Sister Heart’ https://childrensbooksdaily.com/book_reviews/book-people-sally-morgan/
6. Indigenous Australia. Life Summary of Sally Morgan http://ia.anu.edu.au/biography/morgan-sally-17816
7. Sally Morgan (Artist) Wikipedia entry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sally_Morgan_(artist)