Christina Booth is the award-winning author of eight, and illustrator of over twenty books for children, including Are These Hen’s Eggs?, the CBCA Honour Book Kip and Welcome Home, which won The Environment Award for Children’s Literature.
Purinina (from palawa kani, the language of the Palawa/Tasmanian aborigines) is the story of the carnivorous marsupial known to many as the Tasmanian Devil. It describes the birth, time spent in the mother’s pouch, and the progression to independent living. It concludes with Purinina finding a mate and giving birth herself.
The simple text often uses long sentences that can have an intense poetic quality. Here and there words flows along an illustration with a key word highlighted in bold for emphasis. Sometimes Booth uses repetition to make her point: Away from the cave, away from the valley, away from the pines that point to the sky, away from Purinina. Away.
The cover shows a very appealing animal with rounded ears, an idealised version of the Tasmanian Devil. The artwork within is powerful, with strong strokes and vivid colours reflecting the strength and resilience of these iconic animals. Tasmanian devils have individual white markings which combine with their solid black coats to make a strong visual statement on each page.
The back matter includes two pages of more detailed information and a glossary. This book is an attractive introduction for young children interested in unusual animals, and/or Australian marsupials. It would also be a useful resource for schools.
Christina Booth is the award-winning author of eight, and illustrator of over twenty books for children, including Are These Hen’s Eggs?, the CBCA Honour Book Kip and Welcome Home, which won The Environment Award for Children’s Literature.
