THE BOOKS
WHISPERS ON THE WIND
Twelve women.
Twelve voyages.
Twelve stories.
Why did these women set sail for nineteenth century Australia?
What drove them to leave their birthplace?
How did they survive in this strange country so far away from family and friends?
Their stories are whispers on the wind.
“From Queenstown in County Cork and at twenty years of age, I set out for a faraway country to the south of Eire. The voyage, I was told, would take one hundred days. Why did I leave my parents, my siblings, you may ask?
I really do not know. Was it that I craved colourful places other than my damp, boggy township? Was it that I yearned to meet people of other lands? My parents and siblings did not share my inclinations. Homebodies, one and all, no one had left to marry; the eldest was twenty-five, the youngest twelve. I found no young man of interest to join me in the state of Holy Matrimony. So I emigrated.
Tears come to my eyes if thoughts of that voyage beset me...”
- Excerpt from Voyage 8: This Calamitous Voyage (1862)
ISBN: 978-0-9872868-0-2
FICTION
THE SHAKING SAILS
Twelve blokes on boats.
Twelve tales of adventuring.
Stories of shipbuilding and shipwrecks.
Of sailing to the east, west and south.
With shaking sails and singing winds.
“I call myself a ‘reprobate’. Others have called me worse. I am John, perishing far from my birthplace. In truth, one’s life does flicker through one’s mind before death, but it is not only in my own mind this tale is told. I also tell my tale to Jamie, a fellow mariner. No one but him will know of me and my wretched adventuring. To begin my story I need to go back into the past and relate to Jamie what happened, before my ‘perishing’ concludes. Remember, it is not a story to assuage my sins. Believe that if Jamie should survive to tell this tale. My story will be a mix of past and present. There is no future for me.”
- Excerpt from Chapter 4: Sailing to the Orient (1815)
ISBN: 978-0-9874840-7-9
FICTION
THE GREEN TIN TRUNK
It is 1871.
‘I am fifteen. Tomorrow I marry Albert. But, Mutti… why is Father not coming to my wedding? Why did he leave me with you and Ernst?’
As she grows older, Louisa constantly asks these questions… and almost thirty years later, she finally meets her father. This is Louisa’s story, told through her journal entries, accounts and letters. It is also her father’s story, as his life and Louisa’s background become entangled once more.
It is a story of deceit, betrayal and love in the days of the Victorian gold rush.
First Words:
“I am Alexander, Prussian born. Times are difficult in this year of 1848. Crops are failing. There is hunger, religious persecution and demonstrations. I fear that Prussia, my country, is burning. I am twenty—well-born, well-educated and well-pressured by my parents to enter the Prussian military.”
Last Words:
“I sense my remaining time here on this earth is brief, but at least I have left my mark on this land, my country. I feel profound relief that many years into the future my unheard story will be told. Will I be forgiven?”
ISBN: 978-0-646-51429-1
FICTION
THREE COLOURFULLY ILLUSTRATED STORY BOOKS FOR PRESCHOOLERS
ILLUSTRATIONS BY SANDI M
(Based on the original paper cut illustrations by RK)
BOOKS FOR PRESCHOOL CHILDREN
CARS, TRUCKS AND TRAINS
Includes the stories:
The Rocky Docky Bridge
The Rubbish Truck
The Little Steam Train
Train Days
ISBN: 978-0-9924333-6-2
FISHY TALES
Includes the stories:
Two Turtles
Fish and Seagull
Fish in the Sea
Fish Shop
ISBN: 978-0-9924333-8-3
FOR VERY LITTLE CHILDREN
Includes the stories and activities:
Mike and His Shadow
Pretend to Be
Cat All in Black
Hurry! Scurry!
The Hose
ISBN: 978-0-9924333-9-0