Sunshine Coast Hinterland Times

Following the success of the children’s picture book From Little Things Big Things Grow the publishers, One Day Hill are launching three more books that use the strong lyrics of iconic Australian songs.

ALL THREE books have illustrations by local Hinterland artist Peter Hudson (above), whose enthusiasm and commitment to the Paul Kelly, Kev Carmody book, helped give birth to the three new titles.

The three new books are My Island Home with Neil Murray’s lyrics, Took the Children Away with words from Archie Roach and Shane Howard’s Solid Rock.

Neil Murray’s book is illustrated by the paintings of school children of the Kintore and Galiwinku communities. This is the area that inspired Neil’s song which was sung at the
closing ceremony of the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Author Martin Flanagan who has endorsed all three books, says “White people, aboriginal people and people from  overseas sing My Island Home like it’s theirs.”

Took the Children Away is a moving indictment of the treatment of indigenous children from the Stolen Generation. Archie Roach’s song not only strikes a chord with the wider aboriginal community but it won an international Human Rights Achievement award, the first time a songwriter has received such an award.

Apart from the song lyrics, the book features the classic artwork of Archie’s late wife and soul-mate Ruby Hunter. Peter Hudson has also embellished the book with stunning landscapes of south-west Victoria, Archie’s traditional lands.

Shane Howard’s massive anthem, Solid Rock was one of the first popular songs to tackle aboriginal rights in Australia, back in 1982. Its impact across the world still inspires other songwriters. Shane’s book is illustrated by the school children from Mutujulu, near Uluru. It was here that Shane returned with Peter Hudson to gather stunning paintings from the local school children to illustrate the book. Peter’s brilliant images of Uluru and surrounding landscape place the story in the land itself.

In commenting on the impact of the three children’s books, author Martin Flanagan said, “The publisher has matched lyrics with paintings of places and experiences that the songs relate to. It’s a wonderful way of taking these songs to another generation so that they can have an understanding, both from where those songs come, and why they are so significant in our national culture.”

Peter Hudson’s powerfully raw and emotive paintings reflect his increasing connection with aboriginal lands. “It’s not just the landscape”, says Peter. “You’re not just painting a
piece of land, you’re painting the spirit of the land and the spirit of the people, and it really does come out. It’s simply our history too, and it needs to be retold.”

From Little Things Big Things Grow started out as a picture book for children but it has now been embraced by all ages. The same is likely with these three new books, combining as they do the passionate feelings of their mature authors with the naive innocence of the children’s illustrations.

All three books are being launched this month at the Brisbane Writers Festival and can be purchased at Rosetta Books in Maleny, or contact the publishers at website: www.onedayhill.com.au