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Post by Claire on Mar 19, 2012 15:23:28 GMT 1
Hi folks, especially our Oz members. Was replying to another post when I realised (with shame!) that I have had hardly read any non-pony Australian children's books or indeed know much about them, not even which ones are the classics! The only one I can think of I've read that is non-pony is Playing Beattie Bow by Ruth Park (which was excellent BTW and coincidentally as we have just been talking about them on another thread is a time slip story). Anyway maybe some of you can give us some recommendations on what are the classic/best Aussie childrens books. And for the Brits and US members here - have you read many Australian non pony childrens books and if so what.
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Post by susanb on Mar 19, 2012 15:46:37 GMT 1
Good question...and off the top of my head, I have to admit I haven't read much Aussie lit (pony books aside, of course). For some reason, there just isn't all that much printed in the US, as compared to British books.
The only thing I can think of offhand is Garth Nix's Abhorssen trilogy, which I loved.
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vera
Pony Clubber
Posts: 247
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Post by vera on Mar 19, 2012 21:06:33 GMT 1
Just off the top of my head, John Marsden's Tomorrow when the war began series; Colin Thiele was a prolific author, my favourite would be Storm Boy; Patricia Wrightson with An Older Kind of Mgic, I own the racecourse, The Nargun and the Stars and several others; Mary Grant Bruce's Billabong series (these are not pony books, not really), The Magic Pudding(Norman Lindsay I think); ; Coonardoo by Katherine Susannah Richardson; The Getting of Wisdom, Henry Handel Richardson; Walkabout, I've forgotten the author but a brilliant book, Henry Lwson's short stories which were bedtime reading for my children. These are just a few. There is a rich and varied selection to suit all tastes!
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Post by darkhorse on Mar 19, 2012 21:44:31 GMT 1
I have to own up to not even reading many Australian pony books. let alone non pony. I have only read the Silver Brumby books and the Mary E. Patchett Brumby story. I did really love the Silver Brumby books and enjoyed the descriptions of the bush so I really should read more set there.
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Post by susanb on Mar 19, 2012 21:47:13 GMT 1
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Post by darkhorse on Mar 19, 2012 21:55:02 GMT 1
Thanks susanb. I may try that one.
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Post by Claire on Mar 19, 2012 22:35:31 GMT 1
I didnt even know that Garth Nix was Australian!  Thanks for the list Vera I am definitely going to expand my reading to include some of those in the future. Now you have jogged my memory I actually have read I Own the Racecourse and yes its not really a pony book despite the title! |
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vera
Pony Clubber
Posts: 247
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Post by vera on Mar 20, 2012 23:49:12 GMT 1
and here aaare a few more! I have only included the ones I or my children enjoyed, where I have just put the author, they are prolific and written lots, all worth reading.
Ruth Park, The Harp in the South
Emily Rodda, Deltora Quesr serie
Nan Chauncy, Tiger in the Bush
H.B. Brinsmead, Pastures of the Blue Crane
Ethel Turner, Seven Little Australians
Ivan Southall, Jackie French.
That should keep you going for a while! Sally Odgers has written a series called CAndlde iron; they are not rally a series in that each book stands alone but there is a loose linking thread.
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Post by jinglerebel on Mar 24, 2012 3:00:12 GMT 1
The House That Was Eureka by Nadia Wheatley is one of my favourite books, and a time slip story!
Another by her is My Place, there is a tv series also. Each story is about a child who lives in a particular Sydney location from pre Euro settlement to today. You might be able to watch episodes online at ABC (not sure if it's available to o/s res).
Morris Gleitzman has some good ones, they're humorous social commentary types iirc. Very appealing to boys.
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Post by Claire on Mar 24, 2012 12:59:48 GMT 1
The House That Was Eureka by Nadia Wheatley is one of my favourite books, and a time slip story! . Sounds like my cup of tea. Oh dear think I have started something here as now have lots more books to put on my 'must read' list  |
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allyk
Pony Clubber
Posts: 184
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Post by allyk on Jul 13, 2013 18:07:09 GMT 1
Paul Jennings has won lots of awards (seriously, check it out, remarkable list) as a modern Australian author Ethel Turner's Seven Little Australians is probably the most famous 'classic' story some other books that I have listed as 'Australian Classics' (take with a giant pinch of salt) in my notes: Patricia Bernard - We are Tam Patricia Wrightson - The Nargun and the Stars Lilith Norman - Climb a Lonely Hill And here's an official government page on the subject |
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