Over the Hill to
Greytown was launched last Tuesday evening by Barbara Murison (below right) at The
Children’s Bookshop, in Wellington.
Author Tania Atkinson says she created the text in an attempt to interest very young children, in New Zealand’s
past.
The basic story concerns the ‘true’ tale of early European settler,
Samuel Oates, who pushed some gum trees in a wheelbarrow, over the steep
Rimutake Hill in the Wairarapa. In order to make the subject attractive to
youngsters, I included a cast of imaginary children and animals who cadge a
ride in Samuel’s barrow and then desert him for various reasons.
Over
the Hill to Greytown is written in the style of a nursery rhyme with a
traditional rhyme scheme, accumulating phrases and repeated lines.
The
part digital, part hand-drawn illustrations, by Carterton artist Viv Walker,
aim to depict the story in a manner that is historically accurate yet appealing
and modern in its representation.
A delightful book, a joy to read aloud.
Published by Wai Art Press - $20.00
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