1. Beaches
2. Diving
3. Fear
4. Imagination
5. Literary techniques
6. Marine animals
7. Oceans
8. Self-confidence
9. Water
10. Whales

What are the creatures that live beyond the shore line? A young boy at the water’s edge, ponders ‘It is safer on the edge’. He fears the unknown—trying new things, exploring the unknown and taking risks. The illustrations reveal what might be found and foster the boy’s curiosity and courage. The final page reveals the young boy stepping towards the water while supported by an adult close by.

Kirli Saunders’ poetic turn of phrase captures a young child’s exploration of the ocean using alliteration with word combinations such as ‘sand swirls and sways’. These simultaneously convey action and sounds.

This, the illustrator’s first picture book, succeeds in capturing the frolicking creatures splashing and cavorting in the water. Together with Kirli Saunders’ poetic turn of phrase, ‘Beyond the Shore’ fosters the young boy’s courage to experience this unknown world.

1. Scholastic Teaching Notes by Rae Carlyle for ‘Beyond the Shore’ https://resource.scholastic.com.au/ResourceFiles/100145449_131117.pdf
2. Kirli Saunders website on her work and writing https://kirlisaunders.com/work/writing
3. Just So Stories 11 July 2025 review by Sue Warren of ‘Beyond the Shore’ https://losangzopa.blog/author/losang1/page/7/
4. RA RA PR 29 August 2020 ‘Kirli Saunders, Writer, Educator and Artist on the power of storytelling and the Dreaming’ https://www.rarapr.com/press_circle/rarapr-press-circle-kirli-saunders/
5. University of Wollongong The Stand 6 Nov 2017 features Kirli Saunders’ aspirations when young and her goals as an adult https://www.uow.edu.au/the-stand/2017/indigenous-storytelling-finds-new-voices.php
6. green + simple 2020 ‘The Wonder of Storytelling According to Kirli Saunders’ interview by Jenny Ringland with Kirli Saunders https://greenandsimple.co/2020/11/kirli-saunders