Reviewed by Kathleen Grace
From award-winning author and
illustrator Mark Wilson, here is a stirring story told in picture book style of
the women who first won the right to vote in Australia, inspired by real people
and historical events.
In 1890, Rose Birks and her stepdaughter,
Nellie, two strong-willed and determined women, began writing letters and
attending meetings to help improve the lives of women and children in their
home city of Adelaide. They soon found themselves part of a movement that would
change the lives of all Australian women. Through their friendship with the
famous suffragist Mary Lee, they petitioned politicians and lawmakers – and in
1896 they became the first women in the country to vote in an election. Votes
for Women! Tell t heir story.
Told in the third person voice
of Nellie Birks, the story shows her relationship with her stepmother, and how
she becomes aware of the issues that women faced. ‘She gladly went with Rose to
meetings and helped compose letters to the newspapers about these issues.’
This is a visually captivating
book with many illustrations coloured in pastels, some full-page and others in
boxes with extracts from newspapers, petitions, and documents. Some of the
illustrations – such as the opening fly pages – are sketched in dark and eye-catching
sepia, such as pictures of women in factories working machines, and a woman
addressing a crowd. Interior illustrations are in subdued colours. The artwork
is realistic and worth pouring over as there are so many interesting details.
This is a fine book for
showing young readers – from 9+ years – about an important part of their
country’s history.
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