Myrtle is a common long-necked turtle. She lives by a creek and enjoys eating moths and tadpoles, yabbies and tiny frogs throughout summer. In winter she climbs under an old log among the dry leaves and snoozes. Myrtle is a strong swimmer and when it rains and the creek flows swiftly she can paddle around.
One day the water in the creek rises slightly. Myrtle lifts her head and feels air pressure on her neck. She began to climb out of her waterhole and walk uphill.
She passed the waterdragons and red-bellied snakes and wombats. They all say, Myrtle is walking uphill! She knows a flood is coming! Farmer Finnegan notices Myrtle and remembers her gran had told her turtles climb uphill 10 days before a flood. She moves her sheep to higher ground. All the animals understand what is happening from echidna’s to kangaroos to the termite queens. Myrtle was walking uphill.
Then the rain came down and the floods began.
Jackie French is such a clever writer. She’s a born storyteller whether that is in an adult and children’s novel to the sparse words in a picture book. She tells the story effortlessly but so engagingly. With words like gurgles and hurtles, and lashes we feel the rain and flood drench the landscape.
Danny Snell’s illustrations are the perfect style for French’s story. They fill the pages helping us imagine the animals all reacting as they watch Myrtle. He also gives Myrtle the perfect personality for a turtle.
Reviewed by Jane Stephens
Age Guide 3+
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jackie French AM is an Australian author, historian, ecologist and honourary wombat (part time), 2014-2015 Australian Children’ Laureate and 2015 Senior Australian of the Year.
Jackie was born in Sydney; grew up on the outskirts of Brisbane, and is still not dead. She has lived for more than 40 years at the top of the gorge in the Araluen Valley, where her ancestors lived too. Only one school she attended burned down. This was not her fault.
Some of Jackie’s books have sold millions of copies and won over 60 awards in Australia and internationally. Others were eaten by the wombats.
Instead of hobbies she has written over 200 books; built a house and power system; planted thousands of trees; harvests about 800 of them; lunches with friends; reads to her grandkids; tries to find her glasses; eats dark chocolates, what ever fruit is in season and the odd feral species. (Some are very odd). She coined the term ‘moral ominvore’ to describe her diet. There is a dispensation for dark chocolate.
Jackie has studied over 400 wombats, and been the (almost) obedient slave to a dozen of them. She is an enthusiastic cook, married to an enthusiastic eater. If you visit, do not bring cake. It is the duty of a guest to eat. Lots. Then eat some more. If you are worried about calories hike up the mountain and look for endangered species. But you will find more on a bush mooch than a bush walk. Watch out for the eight species of snake. Don’t worry. They’ll also be watching out for you.
Jackie writes for adults, young adults, and even younger humans, on history, ecology, and her award winning historical fiction for all age but write just one picture book about a wombat, and no one lets you forget it.
Ever. Ever. Ever.
Please do not mention Diary of a Wombat or the word ‘prolific’. Or the story of how her first book was accepted because a wombat had left its droppings on her typewriter, as after 25 years of repeating it she is bored.
Jackie is also dyslexic and patron of literacy programmes across Australia with a wide and deep – if accidental- experience in learning differences and methods, and their outcomes for students, as well as a passionate advocate for equal educational opportunity. She still can’t spell.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
I grew up in Adelaide and studied at the Adelaide Central School of Art, and the University of South Australia, graduating with a Bachelor of Design (Illustration). I’ve been working as an illustrator for a little over 20 years (which makes me feel old). For much of that time I have worked as a freelancer for ad agencies, design studios, newspapers and magazines. Increasingly though, my path has shifted to illustrating children’s books. I like to work in a variety of media, but I have a soft spot for acrylics.
When I’m not illustrating I enjoy riding (sans lycra) and swimming. I live in Adelaide with my partner and 2 daughters (who are great swimmers) and a cat (who cannot swim).
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