Anzac Stories Behind the Pages Exhibition

I’m honoured to be part of the Anzac Stories Behind the Pages Exhibition which will run throughout Australia in 2017 and 2018, and will showcase Australian and New Zealand contemporary children’s books set in wartime and the stories behind the creation of those books.

The idea for this wonderful exhibition came from New Zealand author Maria Gill and it is exciting to be part of it. Boards featuring individual books and writers and illustrators will be exhibited in libraries across Australia. Although a late addition, My Friend Tertius (March 2017 – Allen and Unwin) written by myself and beautifully illustrated by Owen Swan, and the background and research behind the book, will be part of the exhibition.

There’s also an Anzac Stories Blog with info about each book. Here’s mine. http://anzacstoriesbehindthepages.blogspot.com.au/p/corinne-fenton-has-apassion-for-picture.html

And here are some reviews for My Friend Tertius which give some background to the book journey and the story.

Friendship comes in many forms and, as this delightful book makes clear, a friend does not have to be human! This is the kind of story which lends itself well to the picture book format. It will work well as a story to be read aloud and discussed as well as being enjoyed by beginning readers, who may also need some discussion on the themes of biodiversity, war and history.

A slice of history, delivered in a heartwarming picture book. Great story and well told. Loved the gorgeous Tertius and his loyal human companion.

A beautiful story about a WWII code-breaker and his best friend – his gibbon, Tertius. Tertius is funny, cheeky, sometimes naughty, but also clever and loving. Despite the horrors of war, this is a gentle and tender story. The illustrations beautifully convey the streets of Hong Kong, Singapore, then Australia in soft colours mirroring the gentleness of the story. I loved it.

Building on Corinne Fenton’s heartwarming story, Owen Swan’s beautiful illustrations help draw an evocative picture of Arthur and Tertius and their life together.

This is a true story written by the author of such memorable picture books as Queenie: One Elephant’s Story and The Dog on the Tuckerbox. It’s a love story about a man and his pet gibbon and it’s beautifully presented with soft, wistful illustrations.