The Dog on the Tuckerbox (Corinne Fenton, illus by Peter Gouldthorpe, Walker Books)

The Dog on the Tuckerbox brings to life one of Australia’s most iconic stories about the mateship and hardship experienced by early Europeans in Australia. We follow the story of Bill the bullock driver and his faithful dog Lady in the Australian bush, culminating in the depiction of Lady’s loyalty and devotion to her master and friend. While many of us may have come across this story at some point in our childhood, Corinne Fenton and Peter Gouldthorpe reinvest this well-known tale with a spirit of admiration and sensitivity that draws the reader to it. The illustrations have a sense of the melancholy about them, which reinforces the extreme situation in which Bill and Lady find themselves and the unwavering friendship they enjoyed. Corrine Fenton’s narrative has a simple and restrained quality and her words are imbred with a deep respect for this much-loved tale. Both children and adults will love this book and although it necessarily concludes with a sense of sadness, there is much to be celebrated in this wonderful tale. will be received well in both retail and school/library environments and should be a must-have on every Australian child’s bookshelf. 

Tags: january2013nataliecrawfordwalkerbooks

Category: Reviews