Wild Bush Days

Wild Bush Days by Penny Harrison, illustrated by Virginia Gray (Midnight Sun) HB RRP $29.99 ISBN 9780987380906

Reviewed by Nikki M Heath 

The early-20th century life of Jessie Hickman was fascinating: circus performer-turned-cattle rustler, she hid in a mountain cave to hide from police, earning her the tagline ‘Lady Bushranger’. This book seeks to bring that story to life, using two modern children echoing Jessie’s movements in search of her cave. 

This is a beautifully designed and illustrated book, a joy to the eye on each generous spread. The reader is left with a deep appreciation of the landscapes along with the sense of freedom and loneliness Jessie must have felt.

Point of view interchanges between the modern children and Jessie throughout. While it is understandable why this device has been used, together with the lyrical text, it is a challenging read. The language is heavy with literary devices, making it both rich and beautiful, but light on narrative. It would be difficult to understand the story without the benefit of the blurb.

With some guidance, this would be a useful companion to a mid-to-upper primary level Australian (or feminist) history inquiry.

Dance with Me

Dance with Me by Penny Harrison and Gwynneth Jones (EK Books) PB RRP $19.99

ISBN 978-1-925335-23-1

Reviewed by Elizabeth Vercoe 

Dance with Me is a delightful and uplifting picture book about a music-box ballerina who loves nothing more than to dance.

‘Come dance with me!’ she sings as the music box lid is opened. Then the ballerina and her little human girl dance around together. And because she loves to dance so much, sometimes the ballerina even leaves the music box to dance in the big wide world of the bedroom when the little girl isn’t looking!

However as always happens, small girls grow bigger and their interests change. Who will dance with the ballerina now?

Gwynneth Jones’ divine, soft illustrations are a perfect complement for Penny Harrison’s charming story line. I love the clever and engaging way these pictures give a deeper context to the narrative.

Depicting joy, fun, freedom, movement, uncertainty, release, moving on and new beginnings… this book covers a breadth of ideas with simple beauty and clarity.

A poignant ending brings the story full circle to leave readers young and old, very satisfied.

The book is also available as one of three books in the Sugar and Spice Collection, a beautifully presented boxed set.