Here’s an old-fashioned tale – with a touch of the uncanny – the story of kids banding together in the face of greedy developers to save something of real value.
When Curly arrives at his Grandma’s homely cottage for a holiday he soon realises there’s a scheme well underway to have the place sold out from under her. But the double-dealing mayor, in cahoots with the grasping developer, soon find themselves on the back foot thanks to Curly’s relentless efforts, and the aid of Pook, a mercurial Fent (grown-ups can’t see them). Curly also enlists neighbour Isobelle, who has her own spirit animal (a Grent, bigger and gnarlier than a Fent) in a fight to uncover the truth. Curly’s wildly adventurous story, told in the present continuous tense, hums with cheeky humour and irrepressible charm. Curly Saves Grandma’s House clearly chimes with themes of sustainability and respect for traditions.
This is also a family story in that the principal author Sally Morgan is the mother to the three co-authors.
Sally Morgan and her three children, Ambelin, Blaze and Ezekiel Kwaymullina are all accomplished writers and artists in Western Australia. The family are descendents of the Bailgu and Njamal peoples of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The illustrator Adam Hill is a painter, graphic designer, illustrator musician, cartoonist and a proud Dhungatti man from northern NSW.
Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Resource
