Meet \u2026 Ned Kelly<\/i><\/b> by Janeen Brian, illustrated by Matt Adams (Random House Australia)<\/p>\n
HB RRP $19.95
\nISBN 9781742757186<\/p>\n
Also available as an ebook
\nISBN 9781742757209
\nReviewed by Marian McGuinness<\/p>\n
I like the idea of \u201cMeet \u2026\u201d as it\u2019s an invitation to get to know, perhaps personally understand, many of the iconic men and women who have shaped Australia.<\/p>\n
Meet \u2026 Ned Kelly is the first in this picture book series that spans the education and trade markets.<\/p>\n
Told in verse, the story comes alive. The reader is involved in the action, just like in the bush ballads of Ned Kelly\u2019s era. The font has a nostalgic look, as if it\u2019s hot off an old-fashioned printing press.<\/p>\n
The armour protected Ned\u2019s arms, head and waist.
\nThe bullets bounced off one by one.
\nSergeant Steele took a shot at Ned\u2019s legs that were bare.
\nWith a cry, Ned collapsed and was done.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nWe all know how Ned\u2019s life ended, but we are given a poignant insight into his early life of poverty and fatherlessness and how his mother was gaoled with her young baby. We share the major turning points in Ned\u2019s life both by verse and by following the handy timeline at the back of the book.<\/p>\n
As a young boy we learn how Ned saved a drowning child. He is presented with a sash for his bravery. Another poignant moment is the revelation that under his suit of armour, in the shoot out at Glenrowan, Ned is wearing the same sash from childhood provoking discussion on how deeply we are affected as children, along with the need to know that we have worth.<\/p>\n
Matt Adams\u2019 illustrations are evocative of Sidney Nolan\u2019s famous Ned Kelly series, with hints of other landscape painters of the era, like Arthur Streeton and Russell Drysdale. Sometimes, it\u2019s like I\u2019m standing in an art gallery. Young readers will connect to the pathos and humour within the illustrations as they engage with Australian history. The cover is startling as you face Ned close up. He is kitted in his ironclad helmet and armour, although I would love to have seen a peek of the green sash that he was wearing underneath.<\/p>\n
Award-winning author Janeen Brian has captured the essence of our most legendary bushranger and award-winning illustrator Matt Adams has brought him to life with colour and texture. An excellent read for 8+.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Meet \u2026 Ned Kelly by Janeen Brian, illustrated by Matt Adams (Random House Australia) HB RRP $19.95 ISBN 9781742757186 Also available as an ebook ISBN 9781742757209 Reviewed by Marian McGuinness I like the idea of \u201cMeet \u2026\u201d as it\u2019s an invitation to get to know, perhaps personally understand, many of the iconic men and women […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n