This fabulous series of biographies of outstanding Australians in a picture book format for younger readers continues with these terrific two new titles.

Meet… Nellie Melba – Janeen Brian/Claire Murphy

ISBN: 9780143780298

Published: 01/08/2016

Imprint: Random House Australia Children’s

 

RRP $24.99

Our first international classical singing sensation and the toast of world audiences as well as the darling of her home and the bush, Helen Porter Mitchell – the ‘Australian nightingale’ – is commemorated on our currency and in so many other ways. Little Nellie didn’t seem destined to be an international star. Her strict father extinguished any early aspirations and then an unsuccessful marriage seemed that it would do likewise. But Nellie was a determined and strong woman. Not only did she carve out her career with an iron willed commitment but did it on her own terms – as a single mother and her own ‘boss’.

What an inspiration to young girls with dreams especially given Nellie’s bequest setting up a fund for the ‘next Melba’ at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music – known as the Melba Opera Fund.

As usual for this stellar series, the quality of writing though simple effectively recounts the salient points of Melba’s life and the illustrations which mostly feature a pastel palette are particularly striking with their use of white space to highlight each event.

Meet…Don Bradman – Coral Vass/Brad Howe

ISBN: 9781925324891

Published: 18/04/2016

Imprint: Random House Australia Children’s

RRP $24.99

 

I’ve loved all the Meet… books that I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing but there can be no doubt that being able to review the one that features my hero ‘the Don’ is a complete joy.

 

I’d guess that many young cricketers may be aware of the Bradman legend but how satisfying to know that perhaps a whole new generation will be introduced to the amazing story of the boy from Bowral.  Starting with his stolid determination to be the best hitting the ball up against the water tank with a stump, through the golden years as the most celebrated Test cricketer of all time and his later years as a ‘living legend’ this book relates all the important events in Don’s life and career.  For me it is the illustrations which are the highlight as they so perfectly echo the style and colour of the 1930s when Bradman rose to his giddying heights.

This book is a perfect joy from start to finish.

 

I highly recommend them to you for your collection – young readers will be fully engaged I predict and what a wonderful platform to introduce two of Australia’s most successful international stars to a new generation.