On the River by Roland Harvey (Allen & Unwin) HB RRP $24.99
ISBN 9781760112455
Reviewed by Dianne Bates
With a sub-title, ‘Come with me
from the mountains to the sea’, this picture book for children aged 5 to 10
years, is another offering from talented Australian Harvey who has already
produced the bestselling At the Beach series which also include On the Farm and In the City – now seven hardback titles.
This latest book’s fly pages are
filled with valuable information showing maps of Victoria and surrounding
states, with place locations and detailed labelling and short stories relating
to them. For instance, the entry for Jeralderie (Victoria) says, ‘Nothing to do
with the Murray except that New Kelly crossed it all the way here to rob the
town. Also the birthplace of Rosalie Ham, author of The Dressmaker, a novel and major film.’ There are easily hours of
reading and site-finding on these opening pages before one even reads the rest
of the book!
A talented line and light
watercolour wash illustrator, Harvey has cleverly ‘hidden’ himself in each of
the pages that follow. The story starts with a four paragraphs of text which
locate the story at the headwaters of the Murray River where ‘this story
begins.’ The headway of the river is at a place called Cowombat Flat. The
reader then follows the Murray with stories told of events which happened at
various down-river sites. Here’s where you’ll read of Banjo Paterson as
travellers move eventually into Lake Hume (which holds six times as much water
as Sydney Harbour). All of Harvey’s pages are filled with detailed
illustrations showing people, animals, boats (such as paddle-steamers and
house-boats), and more as the Murray is explored. Finally, after many kilometres, the 'river's waters open to the sea.'
There is so much to read here, both in
words and visuals, that this is a book which will reward (adults and children)
the reading countless hours of learning and enjoyment. Highly recommended.
