1. Beaches
2. Fathers
3. Humour
4. Perseverance
5. Transport
6. Western Australia

When Annie’s dad tells her that he’s buying a sports car which they’ll be able to drive along the beach, her imagination runs wild. Her excitement turns to disappointment when she discovers that they’re collecting an old, red Volkswagen that dad is determined to transform into Annie’s dream car. Annie and her dad spend the weekend working on the engine and building their very own beach sports car that has a spot for the fishing rods and even an umbrella so that the family can fish from the comfort of their unique motor. Progressing readers will empathise with Annie’s frustration and also have a laugh at her dad’s ‘can-do’ attitude. Half-page black-and-white monotone illustrations are scattered throughout this short chapter book. This story demonstrates that with hard work and a bit of ingenuity anything is possible.

This collection is a Research Initiative between Fremantle Press and School of Indigenous Studies, University of Western Australia. The series is edited by Sally Morgan.

‘Beach Sports Car’ is set in the small coastal WA town of Useless Loop, where the author, Darlene Oxenham, a Malgana woman (from the country between Geraldton and Carnarvon), grew up. Sally Morgan belongs to the Palyku people from the eastern Pilbara region of Western Australia. Tracey Gibbs is a contemporary printmaker from Perth, Western Australia.

Series: Waarda series for young readers

1. Beach Sports Car, Teaching Notes, Fremantle Press https://www.fremantlepress.com.au/system/spree/files/attachments/000/000/305/original/BEACH_SPORTS_CAR_TEACHING_NOTES_WEB.pdf?1436355161
2. Book trailer created by Year 4 students at Rosalie Primary School, for the Rosalie Writers Festival 2010 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvKdnYfFUwM&feature=related
3. Black As Web Series, Suitable for upper primary and secondary. Follows the escapades of four brothers in Arnhem Land from the Bush Mechanics film/documentary, as they repair cars, go crocodile hunting and use bush survival skills. Includes full episodes and short trailers. Language warning for some episodes. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtbwzLmInXpvtvmNoz_9wsg