Eureka:
A Story of the Goldfields is inspired by the real life of Catherine Martin,
daughter of an English immigrant and Pan Ah Shin, a Chinese farmer that worked
on the Goldfields.
The story tells of the Eureka rebellion which took place against
unfair laws and enforced licence fees on the goldfields at Ballarat. It
portrays in text and visual images, the environment on the goldfields, the
intense dislike of the Chinese miners by others, and the social structure of
the times.
Molly and her dad arrive at the goldfields to make
money for a new life. Her mother has died leaving Molly only a gold locket.
Father
and daughter know nothing of how to pan for gold. Young Chen shows them how. Licence fees are enforced and
plans to increase them have the miners up in arms supported by their leader,
Peter Lalor.
On the 3rd of December, 1854, the Eureka
stockade is attacked by police and soldiers in a fight that lasted fifteen
minutes.
Mark Wilson’s exquisite visual portrayal of this
tragic event in Australian history is breathtaking. The splendour of his
illustrations can hardly be done justice with words. Many of the full page
images look like photos but are not.
Created in striking colour using photo-realism in
acrylic painting on canvas and board, permanent markers, and watercolour, each picture dictates the technique.
Stunning external covers depict Molly being taught
by Chen how to pan for gold. A wide strip on the back cover continues the
attack on miners by the soldiers beneath the Eureka flag as it wafts in the
wind above the slaughter.
A poignant backstory leads to the happenings of
that day. A happy ending dissolves the sadness.
Title:
Eureka: A Story of the
Goldfields
Author/Illustrator:
Mark Wilson
Publisher:
Hachette, $24.99
Publication
Date: January 2020
Format:
Hardcover
ISBN:
9780734416810
For
ages: 5+
Type:
Australian History
Come back and visit on the 8 April when KBR uncovers exactly what Mark is reading in the way of kids' books in our popular, Look What I'm Reading! posts.
Come back and visit on the 8 April when KBR uncovers exactly what Mark is reading in the way of kids' books in our popular, Look What I'm Reading! posts.
