Queenie: One Elephant’s Story, is the lovingly researched, beautifully illustrated picture book which has re captured the magnificence of Queenie – a resident of Melbourne Zoo for nearly 40 years.
Corinne Fenton has revived Queenie’s memory for a new generation whilst capturing on paper the many, many fond memories held by an older generation.
Commencing in 1905, Queenie “the gentle Indian elephant” began what would place her in the hearts and minds of many visitors. She began carrying passengers around the concert circuit of Melbourne Zoo.
The pages of this book reveal the love the visitors shared for Queenie – from her birthday celebrations complete with magnificent cake, to the pride of place she took in the Centenary Floral Parade through the streets of Melbourne in 1934. Can you picture an elephant wondering past Flinders Street Station today?!
This poignant book takes a more serious tone as it re counts the event that led to the Zoo Board deciding Queenie should no longer be allowed to carry passengers, together with the tragic consequences the depletion of available food, during the war, had for Queenie.
The publication of Queenie: One Elephant’s Story has made such an impact on a generation who still have very fond memories of Queenie. Most touching of all, was a letter from the grand daughter of Wilfred Lawson, the keeper who was tragically killed, expressing her joy at the publication of this book – for her family had never blamed Queenie for the death of Wilfred. Queenie talks to a new generation highlighting how our awareness of animals and their needs has changed over the years.
Illustrated with a blended combination of black merged with colour illustrations Peter Gouldthorpe has captured the sense of history being brought back to life.
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