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Review Highlights
"This is, quite simply a remarkable release. Every now and then a picture book is released that is able to address Australian issues in a way that can touch anyone. Shaun Tan's book "The Rabbits" was able to ask questions about the way that Australia was settled by White Australians and how they treated (and continue to treat) those that were here beforehand…………Simply a beautiful story about beautiful people in a situation that is not beautiful at all, illustrated by Jaqui Grantford the people come to life in her vibrant colours and impressive artistic flare."
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Reviewed by Jackie Hosking
New Frontier must be congratulated not only for a another beautiful picture book but for bringing this terribly important problem to our attention. I'm ashamed to admit that I don't know much about the refugees in Australia but after reading A True Person I felt encouraged to know that the problem may begin to be tackled not only by us, the adults but by our own children too. A True Person is a must for the classroom. I'll be taking it down to my local school and I encourage you to do the same. Both Gabiann and Jacqui have done a brilliant job of showing us true spirit through the eyes of a child. So what is a true person? The answer will warm your heart.
Reviewed by Dianne (Di) Bates
The book's cover, the fly pages with blue sky locked out by wire fencing, the title page of the girl on a swing and the imprint page of the African doll are all dramatic statements about what this book promises. On the first and consecutive three odd pages Grantford has shown part of the child's face with one large eye trained on the reader as he/she opens the page. It is a confronting statement which is made even more shocking when, on the fourth odd page, the child's face is behind wire and a guard stands watching her. Grantford's brightly painted illustrations are visually gripping. I especially liked the depiction of the smiling black African, Mwalo, who befriends Zaliah.
www.enterprisingwords.com
dibates@enterprisingwords.com
Reviewed by Kathryn Duncan
A True Person tells the story of Zallah, a young girl who arrives in Australia by boat and is placed in a detention centre with her mother. My first reaction was that it is very political story and it needs to be. The reality of life in a detention centre is unknown to the majority of Australians, and more so for our children.
I love how the story is told from the child's perspective, something that will draw on the emotions of adults, but will also allow children to relate to Zallah, even if they cannot relate to the experience. This story provides the perfect opportunity to introduce the concept of detention centres and illegal immigration in an age appropriate way.
If we want to change attitudes to major issues that we face today, we can start to do so through our children. Picture books such as A True Person give us the means to begin the process. It not only raises the question about what a true person really is, but allows us to think of this in light of our own experiences and those of others.
New Frontier has produced a beautifully written and illustrated book that gets both adults and children thinking. Once again, they are prepared to tackle some of the more important issues in life and should be congratulated for doing so.
I highly recommend this book to all adults and children alike.
http://www.aussiereviews.com/article2263.html
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