 First edition cover | |
| Author | Patricia Wrightson |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Margaret Horder |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's fiction |
| Publisher | Angus and Robertson |
Publication date | 1955 |
| Publication place | Australia |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 153pp |
| Followed by | The Bunyip Hole |
The Crooked Snake (1955) is the first novel by Australian author Patricia Wrightson. The book was illustrated by Margaret Horder. It won the Children's Book of the Year Award: Older Readers in 1956. [1]
A gang of children form a secret society to protect a nearby national park from vandals. They record the bush with a camera and write to the Ministry of Conservation requesting the park be designated a flora and fauna sanctuary.
In a survey of Australian children's books dealing with the Australian bush, Susan Sheridan and Emma Maguire noted: "In their preferred method of research, and in their dealings with the bureaucracy, these children mark out a specifically modern, as well as Australian, mode of the Enid Blyton or Arthur Ransome adventure story in a natural setting." [2]
This article contains information about the literary events and publications of 1955.
Rosina Ruth Lucia Park AM was a New Zealand–born Australian author. Her best known works are the novels The Harp in the South (1948) and Playing Beatie Bow (1980), and the children's radio serial The Muddle-Headed Wombat (1951–1970), which also spawned a book series (1962–1982).
Australian literature is the written or literary work produced in the area or by the people of the Commonwealth of Australia and its preceding colonies. During its early Western history, Australia was a collection of British colonies; as such, its recognised literary tradition begins with and is linked to the broader tradition of English literature. However, the narrative art of Australian writers has, since 1788, introduced the character of a new continent into literature—exploring such themes as Aboriginality, mateship, egalitarianism, democracy, national identity, migration, Australia's unique location and geography, the complexities of urban living, and "the beauty and the terror" of life in the Australian bush.
Carole Wilkinson is an Australian writer, best known for Dragonkeeper (2003).
The Nargun and The Stars is a children's fantasy novel set in Australia, written by Patricia Wrightson. It was among the first Australian books for children to draw on Australian Aboriginal mythology. The book was the winner of the 1974 Children's Book Council of Australia Children's Book of the Year Award for Older Readers, and Patricia Wrightson was awarded an Order of the British Empire in 1977, largely for this work.
Patricia Wrightson OBE was an Australian writer of several highly regarded and influential children's books. Employing a 'magic realism' style, her books, including the award-winning The Nargun and the Stars (1973), were among the first Australian books for children to draw on Australian Aboriginal mythology. Her 27 books have been published in 16 languages.
A Nargun, according to Gunai/Kurnai tribal legends, a fierce half-human half-stone creature that lived in the Den of Nargun, a cave under a rock overhang behind a small waterfall located in the Mitchell River National Park, Victoria, Australia. Aboriginal legend describes the Nargun as a beast entirely made of stone except for its hands, arms and breast. The fierce creature would drag unwary travellers into its den. Any weapon directed against it would be turned back on its owner.
The New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards, also known as the NSW Premier's Literary Awards, were first awarded in 1979. They are among the richest literary awards in Australia. Notable prizes include the Christina Stead Prize for Fiction, the Kenneth Slessor Prize for Poetry, and the Douglas Stewart Prize for Non-Fiction.
Kierin Meehan is an Australian children's book author, teacher and choreographer.
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The Children's Book of the Year Award: Older Readers has been presented annually since 1946 by the Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA). Note: from 1946 to 1986 this award was known as "Book of the Year".
This article presents a list of the historical events and publications of Australian literature during 1955.
This article presents a list of the historical events and publications of Australian literature during 1956.
This article presents a list of the historical events and publications of Australian literature during 1957.
Tiger in the Bush (1957) is a novel for children by Australian author Nan Chauncy, illustrated by Margaret Horder. It won the Children's Book of the Year Award: Older Readers in 1958 and was selected by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother as a present for Prince Charles and Princess Anne.
Devil's Hill (1958) is a novel for children by Australian author Nan Chauncy, illustrated by Geraldine Spence. It was joint winner of the Children's Book of the Year Award: Older Readers in 1959.
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Affirm Press is a Melbourne-based book publisher.
Trace Balla is an Australian children's author and illustrator.
Margaret Horder was an Australian artist and children's book illustrator. She is best known for illustrating books by Joan Phipson, Patricia Wrightson and Nan Chauncy.