AVAILABLE NOW!
GOLD! illustrated by Annie White and published by Ford Street
‘GOLD! The wind snatches the cry from a creek bed and blows it to Melbourne town, then carries it across the seven seas.’
GOLD! is the ripping tale of the first of the large gold nuggets unearthed in Victoria - the ‘Blanche Barkly’. Such was the excitement that the lucky diggers were invited to take the ‘Blanche Barkly’ to London to show Queen Victoria. Annie White’s illustrations evoke the works of mid-nineteenth century goldfield artists like ST Gill, giving the publication an added depth.
While exciting for some, the gold rushes were devastatating for the Traditional Owners and destroyed vast areas Country. The scars in the landscape can still be seen today.
Read more on my blog
Order now by clicking on FORD STREET
Illustrator: Annie White
AVAILABLE NOW!
The Amazing Case of Dr Ward illustrated by Tull Sawannakit and published by Ford Street
When you bite into a pear and the juice dribbles down your chin, when you smell a rose, pop a fuchsia bud, or scrape your knee climbing an old pine tree, do you ever wonder how those plants came to this country? Here’s a clue: Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward.
To read more about this gorgeous book visit my blog
To order copies and download the free Teachers Notes - click on FORD ST
Coming in June 2022
A Shorebird Flying Adventure co-created with Milly Formby, illustrated by Milly and published by the CSIRO.
Join Milly in her microlight around Australia to discover how amazing and awesome migratory shorebirds are!
In A Shorebird Flying Adventure you’ll meet brilliant birds who travel phenomenal distances every year and explore their precious wetland habitats and breeding grounds. Discover fascinating facts about their diet and find out Milly’s top tips to tell one species from another. Grab your binoculars, hop on board and let’s go bird watching.
*Amellia ‘Milly’ Formby is a pilot, zoologist, illustrator and bird nerd! Follow her amazing journey around Australia at Wing Threads.
PRE ORDER: CSIRO PUBLISHING
Both Lyrebird! A true story and Phar Lap the Wonder Horse are AVAILABLE at Melbourne Museum and all good bookstores. Lyrebird! is also an ebook, see below for details …
Lyrebird! a true story
‘Well heavens to Betsy! .. You’re no ordinary chook!’
Hi-res image available on Photos page
When Edith met a cheeky young lyrebird on her garden path, she could not guess that he would one day be known as ‘A Miracle of the Dandenongs’.
This true story, retold by Jackie Kerin and beautifully illustrated by Peter Gouldthorpe, celebrates a remarkable friendship between a gardener and one of Australia’s most extraordinary birds.
‘Lyrebird!’ is a perfect introduction to bird watching with birds to find in the illustrations and a bird ID chart at the back of the book.
Published by Museum Victoria, 2012.
Available online from Museums Victoria Store and in selected bookstores.
Also available as an ebook from iTunes.
Lyrebird! is was awarded the Eve Pownall Award for Information Books and received a Whitley Awards Certificate of Commendation in 2013.
Video - Edith’s Lyrebird
This is a digital version of the story called Edith’s Lyrebird and made in collaboration with Malcolm McKinnon for the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum. It includes archival footage of the charismatic protagonist dancing on his platform overlooking the gully.
And if you would like to learn more about the research and writing of this story, there is a terrific interview recorded by ABC Radio National.
Phar Lap the wonder horse
Hi-res image available on Photos page
My story starts in springtime when the grass is sweet and new,
On the south isle of New Zealand at a place called Timaru.’
The story of Phar Lap is known and loved by people of all ages. In this version, his story is told in the form of a ballad, evoking the magic and charm of traditional storytelling.
Jackie does not condone or support the use of animals for sport. Horse racing was established early with the arrival of Europeans to Australia; most country towns boasted a track. This book has extensive notes providing plenty of material to think about why the story of Phar Lap has been so enduring.
Illustrated with the vivid pictures of award-winning artist Patricia Mullins, this is a beautiful introduction to the legend of Phar Lap. Patricia has used coloured tissue and a variety of Japanese, Nepalese and Indian papers as well as crayon and photo montage.
Phar Lap the Wonder Horse is published by Museum Victoria.
Available online from Museums Victoria Store and in selected bookstores.
More information on Museum Victoria website
Phar Lap the wonder horse is an Eve Pownall CBCA Noteable
My Gongs
My first picture storybook Phar Lap the Wonder Horse (illustrator Patricia Mullins, publisher Museums Victoria) was listed as a Notable Book of non-fiction by the Children’s Book Council of Australia in 2009. In the same year the story also appeared in Award Winning Australian Writing 2009 along with a short story, 1984, winner of the Ada Cambridge Williamstown Literary Festival Prize 2009.
Lyrebird! a true story (illustrator Peter Gouldthorpe, publisher Museums Victoria) received an Eve Pownall Award for Information Books from the Children's Book Council of Australia and a Whitley Awards Certificate of Commendation in 2013.