The Great Expedition

Peter Carnavas (author/illustrator)

New Frontier Publishing, Australia: 2011

ISBN: 9781921042812

Genres: adventure, humour, picture book

Issues: imagination

A group of young explorers have been given the task of delivering a valuable parcel. 'The journey would be punishing. It would test the resolve of the brave young explorers. Most of all it would provide us with a pair of unlikely heroes to admire and remember for many years to come. This is their story.'

This charming picture book from Peter Carnavas (Last Tree In the City) references the misadventures of Burke & Wills through the somewhat shorter but equally dramatic events of these young explorers. Hardship can be found in unexpected places. Challenges occur without warning. Success is dependent on determination and co-operation. A good leader recognises and uses the skills of each individual in the group and Robert does the best he can; but even he cannot stop disasters from happening and before long the group has been reduced considerably in size. Will the remaining adventurers make it to their goal?

As with Just Another Ordinary Day, this is a picture book that works best if listeners are introduced to the text first without being shown the illustrations. This apparently dastardly act will help emphasise the extent of the visual humour when text and illustration are put together. The text uses dramatic language and phrasing – 'A senior officer ambushed the team and, after a brief confrontation, dragged Ivy away,' – while the whimsical, light-hearted illustrations show a less serious side to the story. Children (and adults) will laugh out loud at the apparent contradiction between story and images but the book can easily be used to introduce young history students to the far more sombre and dangerous undertakings of Burke & Wills.

An absolute delight to read, The Great Expedition is one that children will want to revisit again and again. Amongst other things, Carnavas should be commended for encouraging imaginative play, a lost art amongst many of today's children.