Next Tuesday, the nation will stop for the horse race of all horse races - the Melbourne Cup. I can already feel the horses straining at the gate. In keeping with all things equine, I wanted to give a Shout Out for this glorious new release set from HarperCollins Australia - in celebration of The Silver Brumby Centenary.
2013 marks 100 years since the birth of The Silver Brumby creator, Elyne Mitchell. Elyne's books capitred the hearts and imaginations of generations of young people around the world, and this Centenary is an opportunity to celebrate this timeless contribution to Australia's literary and cultural heritage.
HarperCollins is celebrating with the release of three very special commemorative books:
To many people the name Elyne Mitchell is synonymous with The Silver Brumby, the timeless classic that has captivated the hearts and imaginations of young readers since it was first published in 1958.
This special edition has been published to commemorate the centenary of Elyne Mitchell′s birth and contains The Silver Brumby and three other favourite Brumby books: Silver Brumby′s Daughter, Silver Brumbies of the South and Silver Brumby Kingdom. These much-loved classics tell the story of Thowra, the magnificent silver stallion, king of the brumbies. Whether you are enjoying the Silver Brumby series for the first time or rediscovering it after many years, this is a book to be treasured.
For the centenary of Elyne′s birth, her daughter Honor Auchinleck tells the story of the exceptional woman and mother, behind the mask of the famous author. Writer, daughter of a Great War hero, wife of a politician and Changi survivor, champion skier and passionate environmentalist, Elyne Mitchell led a life of accomplishment and privilege. But strong undercurrents of discord and misunderstanding flowed beneath the enchanted surface, and Elyne, just like her Silver Brumby, longed for the refuge of her own Secret Valley.
In this poignant memoir, Honor Auchinleck remembers her extraordinary upbringing in the Australian Alps and pays tribute to her remarkable family, and in particular her adored - and elusive - mother.
Featuring the best of Elyne Mitchell′s non-fiction writing about her beloved high country, On the Trail of the Silver Brumby is lavishly illustrated with archival images and glorious new photography of the Alps by her grandson, James Auchinleck, and others.
From thrilling accounts of exploring these untamed places on foot, skis and horseback to tales of wild brumby chases and evenings spent yarning round the campfire, Elyne′s words bring the mountains vividly to life.
All three of these beautiful Centenary Edition books are out now.
