Hickory Wattle Press
Stories that spark curiosity, make learning fun, and inspire the next generation of growers and innovators.
I'm Cynthia Sappracone, a children's author who writes sing-along picture books that turn the hard yakka that shapes the way we live into joyful discovery.My debut, The Sugarcane Harvester Song, invites young readers to explore how farms, machines, and people work together - showing that curiosity and imagination can spark the next wave of hands-on thinkers and doers.Join me for sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes moments, and early access to the book launch!
The Sugarcane Harvester Song
A musical STEM-infused picture book set in the sugarcane fields of North Queensland.
The Sugarcane Harvester Song follows Malcolm and his magpie companion, Maggie, as they watch a real harvester at work. With each verse, children learn how different parts of the machine—cutter, feeder, chopper, fans, and elevator—work together in a rhythm as steady as a song.
Inspired by real cane fields, local harvesters, and the author’s North Queensland family heritage, the story sparks curiosity about how things work while celebrating community, machinery, and rural Australian life.
Perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and early primary readers who love:
🌾 big machines
🎶 music and rhyme
🐦 friendly animal companions
🔧 early STEM learning
Why This Book Matters
Early Literacy: Rhyme and rhythm support phonological awareness.
STEM Thinking: Simple mechanical sequences help children understand how things work.
Australian Setting: Showcases real rural life and farming landscapes.
Representation: Malcolm brings gentle, incidental representation into mainstream picture books.
Curiosity-Driven Learning: Encourages “how does that work?” thinking.
Meet Malcolm and Maggie
Malcolm — curious, observant, and full of wonder. He loves big machines, muddy boots, and learning how things work.
Maggie — his cheerful magpie companion who follows the rhythm of the harvest with excited chirps and hops.
Enjoy a Free Sing-Along Printable
Get a musical preview of the story with this colourful printable featuring real verses from the book. Perfect for singing, clapping, rhythm play, and early STEM conversations at home or in the classroom.
For Parents, Teachers, and Early Childhood Educators
This story gently supports:
oral language development
early STEM exploration
curiosity about rural machinery
classroom rhythm activities
community and family connection
Advance Reader Team — Coming Soon
Want early access to the book? ARC applications will open closer to launch. Sign up below to stay updated.
About the Author
Cynthia Sappracone is a picture-book author who blends music, STEM, and real Australian agriculture into joyful, curiosity-driven stories for young readers. While her sons’ great-grandfather worked as a cane cutter in Ingham, Cynthia’s own heritage is Italian-Canadian, and her husband’s family is Italian-Australian—threads that together have shaped her fascination with the people and industries that grow our nation.She lives in Australia with her husband, toddler, and baby, who already share an enthusiasm for big machines and muddy adventures. (She’s still warming up to the mud part.)
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