Mary's Penny

Tanya Landman (author)

Richard Holland (illustrator)

Walker Books, Australia: 2010, April 2011

Genres: allegory, folktale, picture book

Issues: feminism, problem solving, stereotypes

A farmer must choose an heir to manage the property after he's gone. At first he's only willing to consider his two sons, Hans and Franz, but Mary soon proves that girls, too, have what it takes.

The farmer gives each of his sons a penny and the challenge to 'buy something to fill the whole house'. Neither son succeeds, and Mary, who has watched and waited, insists that she be given her chance, despite the fact that this is the 'golden olden days and everyone thought that girls couldn't run farms'. Although not as brawny as Franz or as beefy as Hans, 'Mary had a very special secret something: Mary had brains.'

Richard Holland's naïve style illustrations are remarkably effective, echoing the simplistic thinking of the farmer and his sons as well as capturing Mary's watchful stillness. The pages are filled with the peace and beauty of the countryside but also underline the comical results of the son's attempts to win their inheritance.

A wonderful retelling of a traditional folktale, Mary's Penny encourages readers to avoid making assumptions based on social stereotypes and to value lateral thinking. Landman's text has an internal rhythm that keeps the story moving. Whilst there is a subtle feminist subtext to the narrative, mostly it is a celebration of intelligence and problem solving skills. Mary's choices not only fill the whole house, they benefit her family and demonstrate her ability to consider and provide for more than the material wellbeing of those she loves. As with all the best folktales, Mary's Penny can be read on several levels and used to stimulate discussion about a range of topics. This is indeed, as the subtitle says, 'a wise and witty tale'.

Highly recommended.

NB: watch out for the cat on every page – I'm sure it has plans of its own!