After growing up with Caroline Chisholm on the five dollar note, I’ve always been vaguely interested in who she was. Who was this woman with the tightly curled hair? I knew she was the friend of the emigrant and had done something to help women, but that was the extent of my knowledge. (I also wondered why she was the emigrant’s friend rather than the immigrant’s friend. I’ve never understood the distinction!)
Tania McCartney’s book, Caroline Chisholm – The Emigrant’s friend, not only reveals much about Caroline’s life, but also plunges you into an engrossing narrative that would appeal to both children and adults. The reader learns about Caroline’s early life in a vivid and engaging way. Tania McCartney has obviously done a great deal of research that gives her writing a sense of authority and authenticity, yet she deftly avoids cramming it down the reader’s neck. She writes with warmth and clarity. Pat Reynolds’ coloured illustrations add interest and help capture perfectly Australia’s colonial period.
I loved reading how when confronted by a bushranger, Caroline and her family were granted safe passage, because of who she was. This book gives life to Caroline Chisholm, turning her from a shadowy, vague figure in history into a woman with motivations and someone who truly contributed to Australian society.
One day, I hope there is a version for adults, so we can learn even more about Caroline Chisholm. This book would be perfect for any library or school.
Caroline Chisholm The Emigrant’s Friend, New Frontier Publishing, 2013
Check out the whole blog tour!http://taniamccartney.blogspot.com/2013/09/caroline-chisholm-blog-tour-schedule.html
Tania McCartney is an author of both children’s and adult books, and has been writing professionally for over 25 years. An experienced magazine writer and editor, she also founded respected literary site Kids’ Book Review. She is passionate about literacy, and loves to speak on reading, books and writing. Her latest books include Eco Warriors to the Rescue! (National Library Publishing), Riley and the Jumpy Kangaroo: A journey around Canberra (Ford Street), Caroline Chisholm: The Emigrant’s Friend (New Frontier) and An Aussie Year: Twelve months in the life of Australian Kids (EK Publishing). Tania adores books, travel and photography. She lives in Canberra with her family, in a paper house at the base of a book mountain.