1. Art techniques
2. Brothers
3. Families
4. Fantasy
5. Friendship
6. Graphic novels
7. Hairy men
8. Humour
9. Social life and customs
10. Visual literacy
11. Yawuru people (K1) (WA SE51-10)

Following in the tradition of other greats such as the Yeti, Yowie, Bigfoot and the Abominable Snowman meet the Hairy Holes—two brothers, Red and Beg—living in outback Australia doing the usual things in the desert despite it being ‘hot and miserable and tryin’ to kill you’.

When Joplin, human explorer or a skinny, as the Hairy Holes call them, stumbles into them everything changes. Red wants to eat him but Beg, the friendly one, wants to get to know him and show him around while advertently letting him in on a secret about their family. Joplin offers to help Beg track them down via the internet, introducing Beg to social media via Beg’s own account with the potential for…!

‘Hairy Holes’ the first in a new black and white junior fiction graphic novel series that looks at life in the outback. There is lots of humour and originality in the artistic depiction of the two brothers. Sophistication is not their style, but they are very funny. These would be great for reluctant readers with their easy-to-read style. The book ends on a cliff-hanger that will leave readers wanting more.

Brenton E McKenna, locally known by his middle name, ‘Eszra’, is a respected Yawuru artist based out of Broome, WA, who found a passion for comic books in his youth. This is a passion which ultimately led to him to become one of the world’s most coveted First Nations graphic novelists.

Hairy Holes Series

1. First Nations graphic novelist Brenton E McKenna introduces his new book 'Hairy Holes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpSLgWpd__U
2. Kids’ Book Review 9 July 2023. Shaye Wardrop reviews ‘Hairy Holes’ by Brenton E McKenna http://www.kids-bookreview.com/2023/07/review-hairy-holes.html
3. ReadPlus 2 June 2023 Kathryn Beilby reviews ‘Hairy Holes’ by Brenton E McKenna https://www.readplus.com.au/reviews/hairy-holes
4. Arts Hub 15 May 2023 ‘ So you want my arts job: Graphic Novelist’ interview by Gina Fairley with Brenton E McKenna https://www.artshub.com.au/news/career-advice/so-you-want-my-arts-job-graphic-novelist-2630303/
5. Government of Western Australia WA Premier’s Reading Challenge transcript of the podcast with Fiona Bartholomaeus and Brenton E McKenna https://www.premiersreadingchallenge.wa.edu.au/episode-18-with-brenton-e.-mckenna