Tearaway Coach

Set during the Victorian Gold Rush, Tearaway Coach by Neridah McMullin, illustrated by Andrew McLean, is a story about a journey from Ballarat to Geelong in a Cobb & Co coach.

This is the blurb: When Fenton and his father catch the coach to Geelong, they have no idea that their driver of the team of powerful horses is the famous Edward Devine - 'Cabbage tree Ned' - or of the incredible adventure that lies ahead. A breathless story of bushrangers, danger, daring and escape as Fen finds himself holding the reins of the tearaway coach.

Neridah says: “I’m a descendent of gold rush immigrants (as many Australians are) so I’d always wanted to write a story set in this period. Having horses in it was the logical thing for me to do, and then in my research I read about Cabbage Tree Ned and couldn’t resist having him in it.”

Frizzle and Me

Frizzle and Me by Ellie Royce, illustrated by Andrew McLean (Ford St Publishing) PB RRP $16.95 ISBN: 9781925804744

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

‘When I was born, my family was Mummy and me.’ From this intimate start, the child’s rainbow family evolves and grows in unexpected ways. With every addition to the unconventional household, the child learns more about the importance of shared experiences and the boundless nature of love.

Ellie Royce’s simple yet heartfelt text gently introduces the concept of the rainbow family, where one or both parents are part of the LGBTQ+ community. Within this, themes of inclusion and resilience are touched upon, as the child learns to adapt to their changing world. Cleverly, the child protagonist is gender neutral, which makes them relatable to any school-aged reader.

Warmth and joy exude from Andrew McLean’s vibrant illustrations, with the fluid watercolours and linework visually twinning the shifts within the family. In depicting characters of different ethnicities striving together to make their unique situation work, Andrew reiterates the theme of inclusion and fosters discussions about diversity.

Frizzle and Me is an endearing exploration of family dynamics. By purposefully choosing not to portray a traditional nuclear unit, the book draws attention to the role of affection, connection and acceptance in forming a strong family bond and in creating a place of safety for children during periods of change.

Fabish the Horse that Braved a Bushfire

Fabish the Horse that Braved a Bushfire by Neridah McMullin, illustrated by Andrew McLean (Allen and Unwin) HB RRP $24.95

ISBN 9781925266863

Reviewed by Brook Tayla

Fabish the Horse that Braved a Bushfire is an outstanding picture book. It is a true, mysterious, intriguing and emotional story of an ex-racing horse which took seven yearlings under his wing during ‘The Black Saturday’ bushfires that swept through Victoria during 2009. Nobody knows where Fabish went to escape the fire, but he returned home with the other horses the following day – every one of them completely unscathed.

Neridah McMullin has horses in her heritage and totally fell in love with Fabish when she heard his story.  She described him as intelligent but also as having warmth not always associated with race horses. The words she uses in her story are heartfelt and compassionate, but strong too – as strong as Fabish, as strong as those that live on the land and deal with the harshness of bushfires.

There is something else I admire about Neridah’s writing: the way she incorporates ‘horse’ and ‘fire’ associated words into her story.  She incorporates words not typical in everyday language but does not shy away from using them, simplifying them, nor does she explain them.  An example of words used are: clods, yearlings, pranced, flighty, tack, whinnied, and billowing, embers, ablaze, doused, charred, desolate.

Children learn words from context, and often it is through the words in picture books that they first encounter and work out the meanings of words – sometimes on their own, through implied meaning, sometimes through discussion with adult story readers. There is a lot to talk about with this book.

The words and story come alive, too, with the illustrations of gifted Andrew McLean.  He has used a combination of watercolour paintings and sketches. Although he has stated that this is the first time that he had to draw and paint horses, you get a real sense of the emotional and personality traits of Fabish and all the horses throughout the story.  The colour palettes he uses make every page come alive so that you feel totally immersed in the world he creates.

I would recommend this book for readers 6+ years as a maturity level is needed to comprehend the complexities of the story.

The book evokes the need to re-read again and again, and also, to tell everyone you know how amazing this story about Fabish the very brave horse is.

Brook Tayla writes a blog called telltalestome@wordpress.com and would love you to drop by, read some reviews, leave a comment, and subscribe.

Bob the Railway Dog

Bob the Railway Dog by Corinne Fenton, illustrated by Andrew McLean (black dog books)

HC RRP $24.95

ISBN 9781922179890

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

We are taken back in time and history as soon as the book is opened; to South Australia, 1884 in fact. With lyrical prose that shines and illuminates Corinne Fenton’s love of social history, we view the real life story of Bob from his arrival at Carrieton Station. He is among a collection of homeless dogs from Adelaide destined as rabbit hunters in outback South Australia. Will Ferry, a guard, sees the pup and ‘something tumbled in the man’s heart.’ He names him Bob.

But Bob is a restless spirit, a lover of trains, and a traveller. He becomes known from Oodnadatta to Kalangadoo. Housed and fed by drivers and guards, even in the porter’s room at wherever station he stops, Bob is welcomed by everyone.

It’s a magnificent adventure undertaken by Bob the Railway Dog who rides trains, and follows train tracks. His travels allow him to experience many historical events during his lifetime. And he always returns to visit his friend and saviour, Will Ferry.

This story is about Bob, but also is an historical portrayal of the birth and expansion of the railway in outback Australia. The outstanding illustrations by Andrew McLean of Bob and the railway’s history are created with watercolour and charcoal and black coloured pencil. This stunning book is suitable for the 5 -105 age group. It comes highly recommended.

Lucas and Jack

Lucas and Jack by Ellie Royce, illustrated by Andrew McLean (Working Title Press)

HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 9781921504662

Reviewed by Vicki Thornton

Every week Lucas’s mum visits Great Grandpop at the nursing home.

And every week Lucas waits for her outside.

Waiting is boring! Until Lucas meets Jack.

Jack cheats when playing Snap, he’s tricky but he’s also fun. It’s also Jack that introduces Lucas to a new way of thinking with his game ‘what do you see?’

With simple text this book shows children that old people were once like them. Having similar interests and pets, even similar favourite foods.

It is a great way to encourage children to be interested in the people around them. To ask the question ‘what did you do before you were old?’

Combined with McLean’s warm and inviting illustrations, this book gives children the chance to understand that every elderly person has a story to tell.

All they have to do is ask.

I watch Pop play cards. I see an old, old man. But I wonder.

Along the Road to Gundagai

Along the Road to Gundagai by Jack O’Hagan, illustrated by Andrew McLean (Omnibus Books)

HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 978-1-86291-979-2

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Although the words of this song are familiar to me, I had no idea of the wistful story representing young men sent to the first Word War which lies behind the lyrics. This book tells the story of a young soldier in World War I who is injured and hospitalised. Through this he relives memories of home. And it is through the illustrations that we get the emotions which go deeper than the jaunty, happy song seems to suggest on the surface.

Andrew McLean uses charcoal and watercolour to create these pictures, then scans and colours them on an iPad. His powerful images contrast the dark, heavy depictions of war with the lighter, rosier memories of home. There are many such contrasts within the pages. A constant eerie glow hangs over the war scenes while the pictures of home have a sunrise shine to them. There is a fabulous illustration of young soldiers washing in a creek near a bombed out building, then the next page shows children playing freely in the waters of the Murrumbidgee River. And the use of horses is a theme which runs throughout, creating a further divide between war and peace.

O’Hagan, a prolific Australian song writer, wrote Along the Road to Gundagai in 1922 and it was an instant success. Even if you think you know this song well, read the book and see it with a new perspective.

This is an excellent book with beautiful illustrations but keep in mind that, although a picture book with a simple concept, some of the illustrations are powerful and could be frightening for very young children. It is ultimately a story about war and as such depicts scenes from the battlefront.

Sam the Cat: a true story

Sam the Cat: a true story by Sam Bowring, illustrated by Andrew McLean (Working Title Press)
HB RRP $24.95
ISBN 978-1-921504-297
Reviewed by Vicki Thornton

A new baby in the house means trouble. Not only does he get all the attention but he even gets Sam’s name. Upset Sam walks out, only to become lost after a huge storm. If the new baby has his name and all the attention, will Sam even be missed at all?

Based on the true story of how author Sam Bowring got his name. This book’s simple text tells a charming story of how everyone has a place at home. Filled with subtle humour and touches of irony, Sam – or should that be King Ironpaw, Ruler of the Roof- shows us that there is no need for jealousy. As long as the baby leaves his scratching post alone!

Andrew McLean is a highly awarded illustrator and once again his illustrations help to tell the story. Created in pen, ink, watercolour and pastels; these subtle illustrations bring Sam’s character to life.  I especially loved the image of a wet and bedraggled Sam waiting under the house.

This picture book would be suitable for lower primary readers and as it deals with jealousy it would be great for those young children dealing with a new baby coming into the home.