WHAT IS A SOCIAL HISTORIAN?
Our speaker on Monday evening, Corinne Fenton, is an author of children's picture and educational books. This is what she has been doing for twenty years. She has an impressive catalogue of picture books, some based on original stories and illustrations, others which require significant research about true stories, events and people.
Her picture book, "Queenie" tells the story of the elephant who contributed to the lives of visitors to the Royal Melbourne Zoo for over forty years. Adults and children had the pleasure of riding on her quite substantial back. Two other elephants, Betty and Peggy, also undertook the same activities. Queenie carried up to twelve people on her large frame.
The other icon of Australian history, "Dog on the Tuckerbox", was a major stopover for many families between Melbourne and Sydney, on the trip by car. Corinne created a beautifully illustrated picture book based on this monument. She displayed her personal photos which she took of her own children near the statue.
In a love story of Sydney Harbour Bridge, Corinne created a picture book for children, "To the Bridge", about a boy called Lenny who rode from Leongatha to Sydney to see the official opening of the Sydney Harboor Bridge.
Corinne tells stories about the special people, places and events in the lives of many Australians. She reveals the hidden stories to the current generation of Australian children who need to understand the real character of their nation. It is a combination of creative research, creative writing and creative illustration. She carefully selects her illustrators and carefully conducts her research to ensure authority and accuracy.
Many thanks Corinne for a very interesting presentation.