Bushfire Book

Well, I thought I was about to have another kind of fire experience on my way to Bendigo.  I had to pull over to the side of the highway as a very loud noise began under the bonnet and the car was enveloped in black smoke. Read the rest of this entry »

I’m looking forward to talking to Geoff on Phoenix Radio in Bendigo tomorrow morning – that’s Wednesday 24/3/10. It’s 89.5fm or possibly 106.7fm if you’re in the area and want to tune in.  I’ll be on from just after 9am till sometime after 10.00am.  I had a great time talking to Hilary Harper on the ABC a couple of weeks ago.  I enjoy the conversations about Bushfire.

At eleven I was taken on a scenic tour through a bushfire by my father’s cousin.  He was in the country fire brigade and thought it would be educational.  It was!  My memories of the vivid fire colours, the smell of smoke and the unexpected explosions of trees bursting into flame or crashing to the ground in a shower of fire are still vivid.  I’m glad I was with someone who knew what he was doing.

Bushfire comes out in 7 days!!! I’ve seen a preview copy and it looks fabulous. I’m especially excited about Meg English’s wonderful cover. And, I’m so glad I have a beautiful little drawing of Lilly (my Aussie Shepherd) at the top of each chapter.

I have just finished reading the manuscript and I am sitting here with tears pouring down my face.

It is indeed a very rich piece of writing. I think it does an absolutely beautiful job of normalising and verbalising an experience that many of the children who went through the fires would feel very alone in, and would struggle to give words to. Read the rest of this entry »

Bushfire Review

I have read Bushfire this Christmas and I loved it.

It is so full of Life. Everything is there, balanced in beautiful simplicity. Like its writer – what you provide goes beyond the act of reading and writing. Read the rest of this entry »

Bushfire – this powerful novel for children and teenagers also provides a mentoring resource for parents and teachers.
This book is a gripping story about a child’s experience of a bushfire and its aftermath. Read the rest of this entry »