Racing Puffing Billy

Racing Puffing Billy by Corinne Fenton & Mark Wilson (Windy Hollow Books) PB RRP $27.99 ISBN 9781922998279

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Racing Puffing Billy is based upon the true story of a faithful dog named Jerry and his best friend Lionel, a driver on the famous Puffing Billy steam train. Jerry was rescued as a cold and hungry pup by Lionel and his wife Bea. He became famous on Puffing Billy for racing the train back to the station. The moment he heard the blast from Puffing Billy’s whistle, Jerry came running.

Corrine Fenton is an award-winning author known for writing beautiful picture-book histories of animals whose lives have become legendary. Her award-winning books include Lionel and Me, My Friend Tertius, Bob the Railway Dog, The Dog on the Tuckerbox and Queenie: One Elephant’s Story.

Mark Wilson is a multiple award-winning author/illustrator with 39 books in print worldwide in nine languages. Mark has a passion for Australian history and the environment. In 2011 he received the Dromkeen Medal for Services to Children’s Literature.

Corrine Fenton has written a story with heart and much love for Jerry. Her heartwarming style pairs facts with word choices and sentence construction that deeply connect the reader to Jerry, the train and the setting. She characterises animal friendship and showcases Jerry’s dog personality and his impact on those around him to great effect. The flawless opening sentence captures the reader's attention. One windswept night, a sick and scruffy pup, owned by no one, limped up the path of a house in Upper Ferntree Gully in the Dandenong Ranges. The text is timeless; it captures Australian history and spirit beautifully, letting the reader time-travel and marvel. After his run, Jerry often clambered into a fire bucket to cool off.  The reader experiences the Puffing Billy through Jerry's eyes. Fenton shows emotion, history and setting rather than telling. Passengers leaned from the train windows or sat on the carriage sills, legs dangling, watching him race, and children would yell, ‘Go Jerry,’ which always encouraged him to run faster. This playful, rhythmic read tugs at the heartstrings.

Mark Wilson’s signature illustration style shines as he beautifully captures the historical vintage Puffing Billy steam train and the old stations. He is the perfect illustrator choice for this text. His attention to detail captures not only the engineering of the Puffing Billy steam train but also human and dog emotions and the beauty of the Dandenong Ranges. He emphasises the deep emotional bond between the driver, Lionel, and Jerry, and, through detailed facial expressions, pulls readers into their friendship and shared love of the Puffing Billy steam train. The colour palette is realistic and perfectly suited to the era. The endpapers feature the Puffing Billy steam train sweeping around a bend, with passengers sitting on windowsills or waving, showing the magic of the ride as the train steams through the lush green ranges. I think what I like best is how beautifully it captures the absolute joy of Jerry racing the train.

Racing Puffing Billy is written for children 3 years and older. With its nostalgic theme and its focus on a unique friendship, it’s sure to be loved by parents, teachers and librarians. It’s also a wonderful book for train enthusiasts. This book brilliantly shares the themes of friendship, loyalty and history.