Matthew Flinders: Adventures on Leaky Ships

by Carole Wilkinson, Prue Pittock (Illustrator)

A picture book summary of Matthew Flinders' life and his efforts to circumnavigate Australia.

Genres: History, Australia, Biography, Picture Books, Nonfiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 8, 2020

About the author

Carole was born in England in 1950. Her family moved to Australia when she was 12. She now lives in Melbourne, with her husband John.
Carole didn't start writing until she was nearly 40. Before that, she worked as a laboratory assistant, working with a lot of blood and brains. Once she’d decided to try and become a writer, she went to university. She wrote a lot while she was there including her first novel. She showed it to a friend who worked in publishing who asked if she could write a teenage novel. Her first published book was based on something her daughter, who was at high school at the time, was doing.


Carole says she has lots of ideas and so far she’s never had 'writers' block'. She might have got a late start, but she’s been trying to make up for lost time and has written more than 30 books, some short stories, a telemovie and some TV and planetarium scripts.

Reviews

[Dianne Wolfer]

I really enjoyed this surprisingly detailed and informative picture book. So many interesting facts I didn't know. And beautiful illustrations.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic picture book which is packed full of historical facts while still being a lovely and enjoyable story to read. The illustrations are gorgeous! Having read through a number of books on Matthew Flinders this is definitely my favourite.

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book that clearly summarises the life and work of Matthew Flinders for younger readers. The hand-drawn illustrations are attractive and complement the information well. There is a good level of detail, maps and a timeline also included.

[Clare Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another tale of Trim's adventures, ok so it was more about Trim's hooman, so I had to knock off a star.

My other fav books about Trim:
- Trim, The Cartographer's Cat: The ship's cat who helped Flinders map Australia
- A Cat Called Trim
And I see there are more I need to read:
- Trim: The Story Of A Brave, Seafaring Cat I think this was incorporated into Trim, The Cartographer's Cat, so I have read it?
- The Cat and the Captain: Trim the Cat and Matthew Flinders

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent example of contemporary non fiction to engage young readers. Wilkinson successfully personlises Flinders'story of his voyages and explorations in the southern seas and his circumnavigation and mapping of Australia.

A combination of biographical information told in descriptive and engaging prose, explanatory texts (e.g. on navigation and caulking - hence the leaky ships) and the most amazingly simple but informative illustrations by Prue Pittock, this is a wonderful addition for school library's but also for home shelves as adults will be equally caught up in Flinders' adventurous spirit and determination to chart these almost unknown waters. The illustrative contributions include a world map marking Flinders' global voyages on the endpapers, numerous internal charts of Australian explorations, and many representations of people, wildlife and terrain, ships, and equipment and so much more. Wtih predominantly fine lines and softer colours white space is used effectively to present close detail and a sense of the vastness of the waters. Wonderful.

Shortlisted for the 2021 CBCA Eve Pownall Awards.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just the right balance of pictures, information and interest. Long enough for a fair amount of info, but not so long that the kids will doze off. Excellent primary school discussion book.

[Jaq · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recommended for Primary Schools, needing resources on the exploration of Australia.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily digestible and informative text, by Carole Wilkinson, with amazing illustrations by Prue Pittock. Amazing research and detail have lovingly gone into this gorgeous book. How intrepid was Matthew Flinders!