Knockabout cricket: A story of sporting legend – Johnny Mullagh

Knockabout cricket: A story of sporting legend – Johnny Mullagh by Neridah McMullin, Illustrated by Ainsley Walters (One Day Hill Publishing)

HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 9780992439736

Reviewed by J Wishart

This charming and informative picture book is aimed at middle primary school readers. It tells the story of a young Aboriginal man, Unaarrimin, also known as Johnny Mullagh, who became a famous cricket all-rounder in the 1860s.

The narrative begins with a schoolboy, James, at home on Pine Hills sheep station for the holidays. Cricket was popular and James often played with the shearers at the end of their working day. When Johnny Mullagh emerges from the bush and is introduced to the game by James, the author describes a fictional – but entirely possible – version of the first match Mullagh ever played.

The author has used lively and evocative language to capture the game, with the ‘thwack’ of the bat and balls ‘fizzing’ through grass. Throughout the main story there are also fact-boxes tracing the life of Johnny Mullagh, his trademark batting style, and the development of cricket as a game. At the end, Johnny’s story is summarised again to acknowledge his great talent and eventful life, including a tour of England in 1868, and the difficulties he faced as an Aboriginal player.

The illustrator has employed a painting style reminiscent of artists like Pro Hart to effectively depict the open spaces and broad skies of the Australian outback. The passage of time during Johnny’s re-imagined first match is shown through deepening sunset colours and eventual dusk that descends over the players and ends their beloved game for the day.

The result is a blend of fictional story, facts and artwork, with broad appeal and loads of potential to engage readers.

Burning the Bails – The Story of the Ashes

Burning the Bails – The Story of the Ashes by Krista Bell, illustrated by Ainsley Walters (One Day Hill)
PB RRP $19.99
ISBN 978-0-9873139-8-0
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Have you ever wondered about the story behind the Ashes trophy? This delightful picture book is a fictionalised account of the events leading up to the burning of the bails after a social game of cricket between the visiting England team and some of the local lads in Sunbury.

Burning the Bails is told from the point of view of six year old Russell Clarke whose father was Sir William Clarke, president of the Melbourne Cricket Club in 1882 when these events took place. Having a young perspective makes this historic tale easily understandable and accessible to young children and older alike.

There are many words to each page, but it is written wonderfully and in keeping with the era, and really nice to read: ‘Everyone was keen and that afternoon the oval resounded with much merriment.’

The illustrations are beautiful. Each page is a painted scene, not always sticking to the illustration side of the page, but sometimes slipping over a little as if to take over the words. Some of these paintings would look as much at home hung in an exhibition. They fit beautifully with the historic tone of the story.

In the back is a very informative run-down of all the facts which the author has drawn from to create this book. There are also photographs from the Clarke family’s collections reproduced in both the front and back.

Books like this one are a great way for children to learn about historical events. The role of Russell Clarke, the narrator, would be the sort of thing most young boys dream of. Burning the Bails is for lovers of cricket, lovers of Australian History, and lovers of good picture books everywhere.

Side by Side - Shoulder to Shoulder

Side by Side - Shoulder to Shoulder by Neridah McMullin, illustrated by Ainsley Walters (One Day Hill)
PB RRP $19.95
ISBN 9780980794823
Reviewed by Vicki Stanton

Football is an integral part of Melbourne and defines the culture of the city. Side by Side gives the young reader an insight into what that meant in the Great Depression where football teams bound communities and provided a distraction from the harsh realities of unemployment and hunger.

It is the eve of the 1935 Grand Final and, with hundreds of other supporters, young Tom and his grandfather attend the final training for the Collingwood team at Victoria Park. Grandpa points out the fearless players of  'The Machine' including the Collier brothers and Gordon Coventry as well as legendary coach Jock McHale. A buzz runs through the crowd when the news that Bob Pratt the champion full forward of South Melbourne, Collingwood's opposition in the 1935 Grand Final, has been hit by a truck.

Underlying the story of the club is the strength of the relationship of grandfather and grandson. Above all, it is the sense of belonging and familial loyalty to the team that comes through McMullin's text. Tom may be hungry but he feels lucky to be part of something bigger.

Ainsley Walters' colourful illustrations are perfect for the nostalgic feel of the book and the addition of original newspaper clippings, cartoons and photographs give a true sense of the era. A glossary of football and historical terms, facts and a rundown of six grand finals are included as well as biographies of many Collingwood players of the era.

Love 'em or hate 'em, Collingwood Football Club is an icon of Australian Rules Football and still holds the record of four premierships in a row from 1927 to 1930. Side by Side is perfect for young Collingwood fans and lovers of this great game.

Side by Side: In the Beginning

AFL Grand Final day! One of the great days of the year and this review is an apt start to proceedings, even more so since Collingwood is one of the contenders for the 2010 AFL premiership flag.

Side by Side: In the Beginning by N. McMullin, illustrated by Ainsley Walters (One Day Hill)
PB RRP $19.95
ISBN 978-0-9807948-0-9
Reviewed by Vicki Stanton
http://www.buzzwordsmagazine.com/

It is said that Melbournians have a Sherrin for a soul. Side by Side: In the Beginning gives an insight as to why.

Side by Side is a chapter book of the early years of Collingwood Football Club, arguably the most famous of all the Australian Rules football clubs, and one of the original founders of the Victorian Football League.

In 1916, eight-year-old Charlie climbs on the roof of a friend's cottage with his father to watch his first ever football match. As the game is played, Charlie's father inducts him into the history of Collingwood and some of its great players.

Along the way, the reasons for the tribal loyalties and hatreds (which are still firmly entrenched within Australian Rules)  as well as some social history of early twentieth century Melbourne, are revealed. There is a glossary of terms and Australian colloquiallisms that some readers may not have heard as well as historical facts about Collingwood and some of its remarkable players from formaton until 1926.

The design of Side by Side is outstanding. The cover is like an old leather photo album and each double spread is edged in black-and-white, the colours of the Collingwood Magpies. Some pages are presented scrapbook style with memorabilia and photographs. Others include Ainsley Walters' bold and colourful illustrations of Melbourne and football matches.

Collingwood fans will love this book but even if you hate Collingwood (as it is almost compulsory to do if you don't barrack for them) footy fans will find much of interest about their game in Side by Side.