Bungawitta

Emily Rodda (author)

Craig Smith (illustrator)

Omnibus, Scholastic, Australia: April 2011; 122pp

ISBN: 9781862918337

Genres: realistic fiction

Issues: community, drought, social condition

'It was very dry in Bungawitta. It was so dry that Glory-Alice, the youngest person in town, had only seen rain on TV.'

Thus begins this delightful story about a drought-stricken town that decides to do something to bring a bit of life – and some much-needed income – back to their shrinking community. It's Jay, Glory-Alice's brother, who suggests they hold an Earth Sculpture Festival and before he knows it, everybody's doing their best to make it happen. Even old Maisie McDuff, who gets a bit confused sometimes. Then the ABC get involved so everyone's sure it's going to be a success. Isn't it? Can twelve people, two dogs and a Shetland pony really put on a proper festival?

Emily Rodda has a great gift for narrative and in Bungawitta she captures the laconic Australian humour as well as the fortitude and resilience that have saved many a rural area from extinction. Clever, funny, hopeful and kind, yet tinged with that possibility of heartbreak that is the essence of farming in this challenging land and climate, Bungawitta celebrates our rural communities and reminds city readers of the many things we could learn from our 'country cousins'.

Illustrations in novels are often pretty but inconsequential supplements to the narrative - but such is not the case here. Craig Smith's illustrations significantly enrich the story. His line drawings are full of movement and energy, bringing to life the personalities of the main characters and reflecting the determination and commitment of the Bungawitta community once it starts preparing for the festival. The images of the tourist invasion are hilarious, reflecting the 'town visitor' attitude in the plethora of cameras, sunglasses and crowds.

Great fun to read alone or aloud. Highly recommended.