Book Bites: Keeping it Real with Historical Narrative Non-Fiction


Despite having no interest in history as a school kid, my exposure to the past has increased in my adult years thanks to a deepening love for narrative non-fiction. Weaving historical events, facts and figures into an engaging narrative with larger-than-life characters is (for me and many kids) one surefire way of infusing history and those who peopled our past into meaningful context. Novels do this with ease. Here are a few recently released picture books that manage to portray the past in captivating words and pictures for younger readers.


Shearer by Neridah McMullin and Michael Tomkins

Jack Howe was a tower above men and legend among shearers in the late 1800s. Not only was his sheer physical prowess awe-inspiring but his I-can-do attitude enabled him to beat and set a new hand-shearing record that remains unbeaten. This is his story set in Jack’s day when the wool industry was experiencing a boon like no other before the advent of mechanical sheep shearing. Howe is portrayed with hero-like vigour and heart by McMullin and Tomkins in a story coloured in warm hues and words that chimes of the outback and a stirring part of our Australian heritage. Suitable for lower primary schoolers.

Title:  Shearer
Author:  Neridah McMullin
Illustrator:  Michael Tomkins
Publisher:  Walker Books, $26.99
Publication Date:  1 September 2023
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760653163
For ages:  4 – 8
Type:  Picture Book

Buy the Book: Walker Books Australia, Boomerang Books


Eat My Dust! By Neridah McMullin and Lucia Masciullo

Flick through the ‘dusty’ endpapers of this beguiling picture book and you’ll be treated to the story that stirs up images of Thelma and Louise, not that youngsters will care about that, but the verve of adventure and devil-may-care determination is something they will undoubtedly resonate with. Jean Robertson and Kathleen Howell were two women with a penchant for cars, racing and breaking records; all activities deemed unseemly for women in the 1920s. Regardless, they jumped into their gutsy Lancia lambda car and drove (without maps!) from Perth to Adelaide in just over two days, smashing the land speed record by five hours (and many pre-conceived stereotypes along the way). What is great about this retelling is the degree of adventure, action and ambivalence (towards derisive comment) both author and illustrator manage to imbue into just 32 pages. True grit is the flavour of the day amply magnified with personality revealing dialogue and illustrations reflecting a gentle retro aesthetic. Thrilling and affirming. What a great way to reflect on energising history-making moments.

Title:  Eat My Dust!
Author:  Neridah McMullin
Illustrator:  Luca Masciullo
Publisher:  Walker Books, $26.99
Publication Date:  2 August 2023
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760654191
For ages:  4+
Type:  Picture Book

Buy the Book: Walker Books Australia, Boomerang Books

Alice’s Shoe by Julie Thorndyke and Jennifer Harrison

This is a story of great heart and soaring spirit. The story of Alice Betteridge is historically significant because she was the first deafblind person in Australia to be educated. Alice is a country girl from Sawyers Gully in NSW. Typically, as a youngster, she roams wild and free and barefooted. Tragically, she is rendered deaf and blind following an illness. Fever may have taken her sight and hearing but it has not removed Alice’s joie d vivre and love of her country home.

This gorgeously portrayed picture book is a joyful sensory experience following Alice’s shoeless, carefree, farm-rich first few years until she is old enough to go to school where like a key opening a lock, Alice’s first word opened a door out of her grey, blanketed world. Tender text and exquisite textural illustrations fill every page with (ironically) abundant light and sound. In fact, wandering through Alice’s story was reminiscent of visiting my grandparents’ farm in the Blackall Ranges as a young city slicker: every new sensation a wondrous discovery. I was entranced by Helen Keller’s life story as a child and am once again delighted and enheartened to learn about ‘Australia’s own Helen Keller’. A must have classroom addition for early primary schoolers.

Title:  Alice’s Shoe
Author:  Julie Thorndyke
Illustrator:  Jennifer Harrison
Publisher:  MidnightSun Publishing, $29.99
Publication Date:  July 2023
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781922858139
For ages:  4 – 8
Type:  Picture Book

Buy the Book: MidnightSun Publishing, Boomerang Books

 

 

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