Storm — Boy

is a foundational pillar of Australian children's literature, originally published as a novella by author Colin Thiele in 1963. Set in the remote Coorong wetlands of South Australia, it tells the poignant story of a young boy named Mike—known as "Storm Boy"—who lives a reclusive life in a shack with his father, Hideaway Tom. The story is most famous for the boy's deep bond with an orphaned Australian pelican he names Mr. Percival . Core Narrative and Themes

The story follows Storm Boy as he rescues three motherless pelican chicks, rearing them until they reach maturity. While two are eventually released, Mr. Percival returns to become the boy’s constant companion. Their friendship is set against the backdrop of the rugged Coorong, exploring several deep themes: Storm Boy

Revisiting Childhood With Storm Boy and Mr Percival - Steemit Percival

Storm Boy's friendship with Fingerbone Bill , an Aboriginal man, was a landmark portrayal in Australian media, offering a positive model for black-white relations based on mutual respect and shared knowledge of the land. Media Adaptations Percival returns to become the boy’s constant companion

The central bond with Mr. Percival serves as a lesson in unconditional love and the bittersweet necessity of facing grief.

The narrative highlights the conflict between the sanctuary of nature and the destructive incursions of the "outside world," such as bird hunters.