Stephanie Owen Reeder (text) and Liz Duthie (illustrator), Courageous kids and their amazing adventures, National Library of Australia Publishing, November 2023, 279 pp., RRP $19.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781922507624
This anthology brings together historical tales of peril, tragedy, hope and triumph from over one hundred years ago in a beautifully bound book for readers to treasure. Inside its vintage-inspired hardback cover are seven stories, five of which may seem familiar as they were previously published as individual illustrated books written by Stephanie Owen Reeder.
Each story is based on historical events in Australia between 1850-1915 featuring children of all ages showing courage in tough environments. There’s Lennie and horse Ginger’s epic ride from Gippsland, Victoria to the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Will the Wonderkid’s opal find that gave rise to Cooper Pedy, Marvellous Miss May’s circus performances from the age of six, the tragic tale of Brave Bee’s parents lost at sea as she keeps her castaway siblings alive plus more stories of peril, hope and courage. Each story is enhanced by fascinating facts, line drawings by Liz Duthie and a glossary in the appendix.
Courageous kids and their amazing adventures will make the perfect read-aloud in Grade 3+ classrooms and historical adventure-loving boys and girls.
Reviewed by Stef Gemmill