Lions Back Mick the Tick Children’s Book to Raise Tick Awareness

Kara Perrin was enjoying her trip through outback Western Australia when she was bit by a tick carrying Lyme Disease. But it wasn’t until she returned home to Perth that her personal journey truly began. She began feeling seriously unwell, but struggled to get a diagnosis, and the eventual treatment she was able to get left her having to relearn how to walk and talk.

It was a long, lonely road to recovery. Along the way, she was continually frustrated by the lack of awareness for Lyme Disease and other tick-borne illnesses. As a survivor, she looked to medical and political leaders for help addressing this public health issue, but it seemed like she wasn’t getting anywhere. So, she decided to take her message to the leaders of tomorrow: kids.

Building on her training as an Early Children Studies Grad, Kara developed a curriculum designed to attract and educate children about the dangers of ticks and tick-borne illnesses. The program is centered around the beautifully illustrated 56-page picture book, Mick the Tick, which follows 10 adorable Aussie animal friends and a trickster tick named Mick.

Kara has developed age-appropriate lesson plans for teachers, including songs, games, and toys. The program is already a big hit in places like the United States and Canada, where Lyme Disease has widespread community support.

And thanks to donors like the Lions of Western Australia, she has produced an animated film that can be shown at school visits and online workshops. Their donation of $10,000 enabled her to hire animators and voice actors to bring the story of Mick the Tick to life.

 

The premier screening of the Mick the Tick film was held on Saturday, 16 May 2026, at Morley Noranda Recreation Club. Several Lions were in attendance, with the Noranda Lions Club providing assistance. PDG Mick Wainwright was the emcee, and DG Tom Oversby presented Kara with beautiful native Australian flowers.