My Book Corner is pretty excited to be hosting the very lovely and passionate children’s author, Tania McCartney. Tania is currently on tour with her newly released Aussie Hero book which shines an intriguing spotlight on the life of Caroline Chisholm.
With Caroline Chisholm: The Emigrant’s Friend expertly blending fact and fiction Tania has some great tips on encouraging children to engage kids with history.
Her passion for history and for Caroline, is really quite contagious!!
Tell us about Caroline Chisholm: The Emigrant’s Friend. What’s a ‘faction’ book?
Faction is a cross between fiction and fact … sort of like an historical retelling but with lovely, creative embellishments along the way. Unlike historical fiction, it needs to stay true to fact, but scenes and dialogue are often surmised.
Is writing faction fun?
It’s actually a lot of fun! I thought it would be nothing but researching (although there was still a lot of that) but the creative licence side is really rewarding. I did have to align whatever I wrote with fact, but otherwise, I could pretty much dream up the smaller details.
Do you have a particular scene in the book you enjoyed ‘dreaming up’?
I have several; one is when Caroline is a child … she upends a washbasin on her bed while sailing little wooden dolls to other lands (and is quickly punished!). Another is a scene where Caroline meets with Charles Dickens in London (he ends up repeatedly supporting her emigration work in his journal, Household Words).
I also really enjoyed writing the scene where Caroline leaves her house at Windsor north of Sydney in the early morning to saddle her horse, Captain. She’s preparing to leave on one of her ‘bush parties’ (which took young girls to rural areas to find work and lodging). I love her strength and purpose in this scene.
Here’s a treat for you ….
An original image from the book, by Pat Reynolds, depicting a scene where Caroline leaves on one of her ‘bush parties’.
What was Caroline like?
She was extraordinarily disciplined and dedicated. She was a multi-tasker. She was measured, intelligent but driven and passionate.
She was selfless, and despite her gentle and refined demeanour, she was one gutsy broad. Nothing fazed her. Not even bushrangers.
Why should children learn more about Caroline and about history in general?
Kids should be exposed to more history, full stop.
American children can recite their presidents yet many Aussie kids don’t even know who our first Prime Minister was (it was Sir Edmund Barton). I’m so grateful history units were recently added to the primary school curriculum because it enriches kids beyond measure. It shows them a) what they can achieve, and b) what they could do better. It not only builds intelligence, it fosters social and emotional savvy.
It also intrigues them.
History is fascinating for children because it’s exciting. It’s devastating. It’s shocking and rewarding. It’s enlightening and at times mind-boggling. It’s adventuresome and thrilling. Kids love all these things.
Kids should learn about Caroline in particular because she is surprising. So few people know her story yet they’re often struck by her courage and tenacity.
Caroline epitomises social empathy and the importance of reaching out and helping those less fortunate than ourselves. This kind of act is admirable, but what many kids don’t realise is that charity of any type, even helping out a neighbour, is what human happiness is built on.
How can adults encourage a love of history in kids?
By talking about it with them. Sharing stories. By shocking or surprising them with some juicy historical titbit over dinner. Challenging them to source information on something they’ve heard about or seen. Daring them to write an historical account of their own, even if it was only yesterday. Diary-keeping.
Of course, there’s also books, films, documentaries, but choose the subject matter wisely. It needs to be action-packed, emotional, colourful and dynamic. There are so many fantastic historical faction and historical fiction books available for children of all ages—take the time to select titles that resonate or appeal to the child in question. Or better yet—let them choose.
Tell us something cool about Caroline.
When she first arrived in Sydney (from Madras, India) with her husband and sons, she begged the local governor to turn the old Sydney Immigration Barracks into a school for girls. The governor repeatedly refused but Caroline persisted.
Finally, he relented and Caroline was told she could use the building. In order to test its suitability, she slept alone in the building for one night. She trembled in terror as rats dropped from the rafters and scurried all over her cot. The very next morning, she went out and returned a short while later with enough rat poison to sink a ship. Then, she got to work on creating her school.
This scene typifies Caroline and the type of woman she was. I guess, in a way, she was a Settlement Superhero for the many who suffered during this time in Australian history.
And don’t kids love superheroes?
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