Tales of Bong Tree Island — Edward Lear

Tales of Bong Tree Island is an entertaining, enlightening, beautifully illustrated story based on Edward Lear's poem The Owl and The Pussycat. This historical fantasy spins the background and history of Barney and Caterina (The Owl and The Pussycat) who, being a mixed couple, were subjected to interspecies relationship discrimination in their native Ramsgate, England, and forced to sail away to find a home where they could be free to marry and have their offspring without fear of discrimination. When they arrive on Bong Tree Island and encounter hedgepiggywigs, hummingbunnybirds and painted manaturtles, they know they have found their forever home. The story is told in a series of interviews with resident owlpusses, the descendants of Barney and Caterina, conducted by world-renowned explorer, Martine Bates from Gloucester, MA.
Martine is contacted by the Queen of England and invited to lead an expedition to locate the land where the Bong Trees grow. With the help of an old map created by Alpheus Pomfry that Martine Bates finds in the attic of his grandnephew, Pip Pomfry, and a pod of dolphins that help lead the way, after a year and a day, Martine reaches Bong Tree Island, which is located in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle. There she meets the owlpusses, descendents of Barney and Caterina, as well as other inhabitants of Bong Tree Island. Tales of Bong Tree Island is a chronicle of Martine's travel adventures and compilation of the interviews she conducted while on Bong Tree Island, which contain great wisdom and lessons that could only be imparted by creatures such as owlpusses and hedgepiggywigs.
Tales of Bong Tree Island is a must read for anyone who has enjoyed Edward Lear's poem The Owl and the Pussycat, but always wanted to know more; and those who support the freedom to be with who you love, no matter what species they are.