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It’s wonderful to be back in the Pilbara, the setting for my anthropomorphic novel, The Dog with Seven Names. I’m here to give presentations at the Port Hedland Library and St Cecilia’s Catholic Primary but I’ve also been researching a new novel about a cyclone, one that features a different animal, the horse. More about… continue reading »
It’s almost Anzac Day, a time to remember our veterans and to act in ways that foster peace. On April 25th, I like to read stories about the animals that served during wartime, and the mascots that lifted the spirits of our soldiers and nurses. Thousands of Australian animals went to World War One. There… continue reading »
One of the best little museums in Australia is tucked away on a cattle farm along WA’s south-west coast. Recollections of War, run by John and Kathryn Shapland, showcases military memorabilia, but their driving passion is discovering the stories behind the historical objects they collect. And those stories are not just human… I visited the… continue reading »
Are you in the Easter Bunny or Easter Bilby camp? Last year I shared a blog featuring five bilby books, so this year it’s the bunnies’ turn. In Australia our connection with rabbits is complex. As an introduced species, rabbits are a pest that threatens native wildlife. This is reflected in literature; compare the sweet… continue reading »
During these strange, Covid-days, I’ve found that reading about free-ranging wolves has been strangely comforting. Wolves are great characters; across cultures they’ve long been symbols of fear and badness. Authors such as Kate Forsyth and Amelia Starling have written about their metaphoric use in folk stories, warning women not to talk to strangers in the… continue reading »
Which zodiac animal are you? In traditional Chinese astrology, 2021 is the Year of the Metal Ox. I’m an Ox person. As a child, Ox seemed the most boring zodiac animal to be, but this year steadiness feels like a good quality to aspire to. A more peaceful year ahead is predicted and I hope… continue reading »
Author Orhan Pamuk said, “Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.” Both Shaun Tan and Eva Hornung are listening carefully. Their beautifully crafted books, Dog and Dog Boy share deep and unusual understandings of the dog-human bond. “No matter what future meets our planet … ” Shaun Tan says, ” …… continue reading »
Do dogs in the White House influence politics? It seems the answer could be yes. This fascinating article explores how mixed-breed Pushinka may have averted a Cold War nuclear catastrophe in the early 1960s. And check out this thought-provoking YouTube clip: dog lovers for Joe. You can’t fake a relationship with a dog, and showing… continue reading »
When I was young I loved this book. It was part of a series of Beginner Books created by Theodor Geisel (Dr Seuss) and his wife, Helen Palmer as replacements for boring school readers. Robert the Rose Horse is my anthropomorphic book choice for Valentine’s Day 2020. As an author I’m inspired by the brilliance… continue reading »
Fabish is a picture book about courage and hope. It’s a heartwarming story set during the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires and may help readers find resilience in these current dark days. Fabish is a retired racehorse who watches over the yearlings. One scorching hot day, a bushfire threatens the property. Flames creep closer. In desperation… continue reading »
Dianne is the award-winning author of 19 books for children and teenagers.
Her PhD research into the Crafting of Animal Characters in Australian Children’s Literature resulted in two novels, Dog with Seven Names and Shark Caller. The latter, a cross-cultural quest novel, was a CBCA Notable and shortlisted for WAYRBA. The former, also a CBCA Notable, won the Speech pathology awards, was shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Awards and will be published in China.
