As fires raged across the land, neighbours helped neighbours and prepared for what was to come. Afterwards, people did what they could for each other, grieving all that was lost. But nature is resilient, and people are kind and recovery gradually came about. Some people rebuilt their houses; others moved away. The birds returned, and eucalypts regrew. This book is an object of community memory, a lament for the human and natural losses caused by climate disasters like the Canberra firestorm of 2003 and the Australia-wide fires of the summer of 2019-2020. But it’s also a song of thanks to our tireless emergency workers and strong communities. It’s an homage to the magpies who returned to our suburbs with their glorious song. It’s a plea to act on climate change. And it’s a story of hope.
Author:
Barbie Robinson is co-Principal of arts media not for profit website, podcast platform and internet radio station LIVING ARTS CANBERRA. She is a Canberra-based arts journalist, arts advocate, photographer, writer and designer. She was a teacher in government school systems for thirty-four years before moving into employment in community and professional arts, including marketing and gallery management. She is the author/designer of three solo books of poetry: Singing in the Wilderness (1986) and Flowers, Seeds and Promises (1993) and That looks on tempests – thoughts on the nature of love (For Pity Sake Publishing 2018); contributor/designer of the joint publications Sky of Fire, Tree of Ice (2003) and Sky of Fire, A Year of Recovery diary (2004 ) and was both a contributing writer and book designer for the group writing project, between the lines, stories of 11 women (2008). She is the author and designer of two children’s books published by For Pity Sake Publishing – Grandma’s Knicker Tree (2020) and Charles the Gallery Dog (2022), and in 2023 Phoenix and Ralph (self-published), all illustrated by Ian Robertson. Barbie and her husband live in Canberra. They have two sons and four grandchildren.
Illustrator:
Ian has always loved drawing and creating. In his many years as an educator he enjoyed reading children’s picture books to introduce reading skills and to stir imagination. Grandma’s Knicker Tree, illustrated for Barbie Robinson, gave him another opportunity to help open doorways to creativity and problem solving for young readers. Charles the Gallery Dog, the latest young readers’ book, written by Barbie Robinson, challenged him to think from a different viewpoint. Now retired from full time work he has renewed his passion for landscape painting and other visual arts. Ian is a voluntary guide for the National Gallery of Australia and volunteers at Bundanon, Arthur Boyd’s gift to the nation. Ian lives in the Shoalhaven region but regularly revisits the Canberra region.
* A childrens book that covers the following topics: Climate Change, Nature, Human Kindness, Resilience, Community and Magpies.
Publicity:
* Books+Publishing featured title.
* B+P Instagram #booksareessential.
* Instagram @barbierobinson56.
* Promotional article in The Riot Act.
* Review in Kids Book Review.
* Review in HerCanberra.
* Book Launch at The Book Cow Kingston.
