Reviews

Backyard tennis by Carl Merrison. Illus. by Samantha Campbell

Mum would love to play tennis with her sports addicted kids, but in the Kimberley, there is little opportunity to do this as there are no courts. Like Backyard footy (2023) this is a delightful look at what kids get up to in the Kimberley, using what resources they have to join together and have fun.

Mum and her daughter take some hits with the racquets and balls, and Chelsea puts her head over the fence, asking what ‘you mob’ is up to. The refrain ‘come and play’ is repeated throughout the story as more and more kids see an opportunity to jump in and have fun.

As the story is read, the audience will join in with the question about what the mob is doing and sing out the refrain, ’come and play’.

Thai puts his head over the fence, then Ja’lae, Angel and others so the backyard becomes too small. They hunt around for a bigger area as their arena, and Mum makes drinks for them all.

This wonderfully engaging story stresses the involvement of all the kids as they work out how to learn the game in circumstances beyond those known by kids in the towns and cities. I loved the illustrations which clearly show the environment in which these kids live. The white plastic chairs, the tennis net, the stump which the umpire sits on, the bare feet, the cyclone fences, the mango tree, all gave me a feeling of life in such a remote area.

A very warm and satisfying look at kids in the Kimberley making do with what they have, the story stresses the closeness of family and friends.

Themes Kimberley, Environment, Tennis, Family.

Fran Knight

Backyard footy by Carl Merrison. Illus. by Samantha Campbell

Backyard Footy is a vibrant, fast-paced picture book, set in the Kimberley region of Australia and tells of a number of First Nations children joining in a game of backyard footy. Beginning with Jy playing football on his own, the story explores what happens as more children join in the game as the football is kicked over fence after fence. Sometimes the football is not always kicked true and straight and ends up disrupting other family members! Jy’s footy is finally popped when it lands in a fire but fortunately Shane has a new one, so they all go to the oval together and Jy lines up and kicks a goal. The children discover that while footy is fun on your own it is much better playing together.

This is an entertaining and fun read by author Carl Merrison and is the first in a sporty series titled Backyard Sports. This story moves along with the highlighted key words adding more drama to the story. The bright and bold illustrations perfectly complement the text, and the reader can feel the action and enjoyment of the children. A very enjoyable read.

Themes Aussie Rules Football, First Nations, Kimberley Region, Friends, Family.

Kathryn Beilby