Mallee Sky
Age 7+
Picture Books
An extremely timely and beautiful picture book about the effects of drought and climate change in the Mallee.
The first people of the land call the Mallee “Nowie”. It means sunset country. When the sun goes down the red heat of the day bleeds into the sky and sets it on fire. Drought and rain – life under a Mallee Sky.
This poetic text by emerging author Jodi Toering is beautifully accompanied by lush oil paintings by fine artist and illustrator Tannya Harricks.
Creators
Jodi Toering was born in the Mallee at Hopetoun and grew up on a wheat farm outside a small town called Beulah. As a child, she was fascinated with stories, reading on her own well before she went to school. When she didn’t have her nose in a book, Jodi spent her time drawing or writing. She had two dreams: becoming an English teacher and writing picture books for children.
Fast forward several decades, we now find Jodi juggling the roles of full timeteacher, mother, and performer. This might seem more than enough for some, but not for Jodi, recently adding one more string to her bow and following her childhood dream of becoming an author.
In her spare time, Jodi loves creating artworks and spending time on her bush block with her husband, her two beautiful children and the ever-growing menagerie of chickens, ducks, dogs, and rabbits that share their home.
Reviews
Toering’s words and Harricks’ illustrations combine perfectly to represent the celebration of rain and the joy, hope and relief it can bring.
CBCA: Reading Time Blog
Every brush stroke of this picture book is a masterpiece and every sentence a poetic homage to the sunset country and its strength.
Kids Book Review
Both the text and the illustrations are magnificent, capturing the features of the Australian country landscape and life in an Australian farming town with poignant beauty.
Blog of Dad
[a] most evocative book with poetic text and stunning illustrations
The Bottom Shelf
A beautiful and timely story to read with children, the towns along the highway are getting smaller as each year passes, highlighting the difficulty of making a living in this marginal land. But the sunsets are amazing, the landscape breathtaking and the wildlife astounding, the images in this outstanding book reflecting the emotional pull of this part of Australia
ReadPlus
