In this book Dianne Wolfer responds with her own story inspired by Banjo Paterson’s poem, The Man from Snowy River. In this tale, she takes the perspective of the brumbies, particularly the colt from old Regret.
As Colt gallops along a trail he can hear men in the distance. ‘Tossing his mane, the colt from old Regret tears through the scrub.’
As Colt hears mares nickering near a creek, he calls back, sidling closer only to be blocked by Stallion, who ‘screams a challenge’.
As day breaks the sound of cracking whips and ‘cooee!’ fill the range. Colt bolts and follows Stallion as the horsemen work to circle the herd. ‘Colt leaps wombat holes, his sides lathered in sweat. Foals stretch lanky legs, nostrils flaring. The horsemen whistle and shout the brumbies are mustered, finally corralled into a yard.’
As night falls Stallion and Colt test the fence. ‘With a defiant cry, Stallion’s mighty hooves rise …’
Wolfer’s cleverly crafted story has great energy as she brings the old and new together to tell her tale afresh. She brings you along on an exciting ride as the brumbies stampede trying to escape the horsemen. Erica Wagner’s magnificent illustrations are simply works of art that echo the Australian landscape, work perfectly in hand with Wolfer’s text.
In the back of the book is Paterson’s full text from The Man from Snowy River, as well as information about the Man from Snowy River, the poet himself, and brumbies.
This book is deserving of an award. An absolute must have for all libraries and bookshelves.
Reviewed by Jane Stephens
Age Guide 8+
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ABOUT THE AUTHORDianne Wolfer is an award-winning author. Her ‘WWI Light’ series served as the inspiration for Theatre 180’s CineStage production The Lighthouse Girl Saga and PIAF’s The Giants. Dianne writes across genres, and her books have been translated into several languages.
Her picture book, Photographs in the Mud (set along the Kokoda Track), has been used as an international peace reference and was published in Japanese.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATORErica Wagner is a painter and collage artist, book publisher and creative consultant to storytellers. As an editor and publisher, she has worked on many ground-breaking and award-winning books for children and young adults.
Passionate about creative collaborations and illustrated storytelling in particular, Erica co-facilitated the inaugural Octopus Story Camp for Top End writers and artists in 2019 with Johanna Bell. As well as generating several published works, Octopus was the impetus for Erica to illustrate her first picture book, Hope is the Thing written by Johanna Bell and published by Allen & Unwin in February 2023. Hope is the Thing went on to win the 2024 CBCA New Illustrator Award and as well as the Picture Fiction category of the 2024 Wilderness Society Environment Awards for Children’s Literature.
Erica loves spending time in nature and continues to develop her art practice alongside her publishing and mentoring work. She and partner Craig Smith share four children and five grandchildren.
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