Neridah McMullin (text) and Lucia Masciullo (illustrator), Eat my Dust!, Walker Books Australia, August 2023, 32 pp., RRP $26.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781760654191
Eat My Dust! follows two plucky, smart, and determined women as they race across Australia in an open-topped car. In a time in history when the horse and cart is making way for the faster automobile, Jean and Kath are pioneers who embrace the future and love everything about driving and cars.
Together they enter a race to drive from Perth, across the Nullarbor, to Adelaide. Taking turns sleeping and driving, they race night and day, passing through small towns, encountering the harsh landscape, and challenging conditions. They face the problems of trying to stay on the seldom-used outback tracks, dealing with stereotypical sexist comments and handling their car’s repairs, all with grace and enthusiasm.
This story is another addition to the growing genre of historical books for young children – a genre that librarians struggle to classify. Usually, they get put in with picture books, as that is the format, but technically they are based on true events and should be in non-fiction. Eat My Dust! is similar to To the Bridge by Corinne Fenton and Random House’s Australia’s Meet… series which features notable historic figures.
The story is presented in a way that young children will enjoy, the ideal audience being about 5-9 years old. Teachers could use it when presenting topics on modern history, or, as my kids call it, “the olden days.” Kids will love to explore the images of heritage cars and fashions as they imagine Australia 100 years ago. A great addition to any library, no matter how tricky to catalogue.
Reviewed by Cherie Bell
