1. Animals
2. Bravery
3. Bullying
4. Celebrations
5. Colours
6. Courage
7. Endpapers
8. Lizards
9. Resilience
10. Respect
11. Self-confidence
12. Self-esteem
13. Snakes

At the end of ‘Lethal Lizards,’ Dreise summaries its theme as a story about physical appearances. ‘When we understand unique differences as beautiful, and bullies stop trying to create fear, then our children will grow up happier than ever before.'

Characters in ‘Lethal Lizards’ include sand and tree goannas, blue-tongue lizards, and frill-necked lizards. In this story, they gain confidence in themselves and overcome their fears, helped by the great creator, Biamme.

The story opens as animals are celebrating the birth of Dharrumalan, the son of Biamme, who was born from the stars and the Great One Creator in the sky. All the animals bring gifts for Biamme but when it is time to leave, the lizards (at this time, highly visible in white and very timid) are afraid to leave as they fear the snake brothers.

Biamme helps them by crushing blue objects into a Blue Poison which will collapse the snakes if it is wiped on them. Meanwhile the snake brothers persuade the lizards to let them decorate them in the colours and patterns we recognise today. Now brightly coloured, they become more courageous and resilient and face the snakes without fear. The snakes then offer to paint the lizards using the colours from the large rock wells filled with the colours of red, yellow, black, and white. ‘With these colours, we can make you as colourful as us.’ Now transformed into brightly coloured patterns, the four lizards show no fear. More adventures follow, but the lizards have now gained the confidence needed.

Gregg Dreise’s process for illustrations involves initially rubbing dry ochre collected from his Country out west. He then adds layers with modern mediums featuring his Country’s abstract designs. Gregg Dreise is a descendant of the Goomelroi/Kamilaroi and Euahlayi people of south-west Queensland and north-west New South Wales.

1. Magabala Books Teacher notes with general guidance for teaching a range of Magabala children’s books containing Indigenous content https://etawa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Magabala-Teacher-Notes-Booklet-2.pdf
2. ReadPlus 9 Oct 2024 review by Pat Pledger of ‘Lethal Lizards’ https://www.readplus.com.au/reviews/lethal-lizards
3. GLAM Adelaide 12 Nov 2024 review by Sue Mauger of ‘Lethal Lizards’ https://glamadelaide.com.au/book-review-lethal-lizards-by-gregg-dreise/
4. Magabala Books short interview with Gregg Dreise on why he creates stories for children https://www.tiktok.com/@magabala.books/video/7404746794455895297
5. Gregg Dreise website https://www.greggdreise.com.au/author/
6. Reading Australia features two picture books, ‘Cunning Crow’ and ‘Mad Magpie’ by Gregg Dreise plus a biographical profile of the creator https://readingaustralia.com.au/authors/gregg-dreise/