Not only has it been an icon of Australia’s educational landscape but it has introduced Australian children to many of our best-known authors and illustrators, including May Gibbs, Michael Leunig, Pamela Allen, Kim Gamble,Ursula Duborsarsky, Robin Klein, Sophie Masson, Tohby Riddle and Pamela Freeman.
To commemorate such a momentous anniversary, For Keeps has been published. As the title suggest, For Keeps is an anthology to keep, to treasure and to celebrate; with a collection of some of the best stories, poems, plays and drawings featured in the magazine over its 100 year history. Written through two world wars, the depression, the moon landing, twenty-two Olympic Games and numerous social movements, these stories, poems and plays reflect the times andeach era, making For Keeps an incredible documentation of Australia’s history and a celebration of the magazine’s contribution to Australian children’s literature and education.
Beginning with a rich history of how the magazine first started, the anthology is then divided into three parts; People, Play and Place. Each written work is beautifully illustrated including contributions from Pamela Allen, Stephen Axelsen, Bronwyn Bancroft, Gus Gordon and more.
The pages tell stories of larrikins and chatterboxes, brave hearts and lost souls, best mates and wise elders, ghosts and fairies, monsters and aliens, a cranky parrot and a talking carrot.The entries vary from short to long, from moving to fun, all contributing to a feast of delightwith the turning ofeach page.
For Keeps is a beautifully produced book to be enjoyed by every family member, and I’m sure will sit pride of place on any coffee table to be enjoyed over and over again.
Editor: Alan Edwards
Publisher: NSW Department of Education, RRP $29.99
Publication Date: 1 Aug 2016
Format: Soft Cover
ISBN: 9780731387465
For ages: 9+
Type: Anthology